City, HU close to deal on sewer work

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle is poised to spend more than half a million dollars to bring sewer service across Interstate 65.
The council is considering a proposal to lay sewer line on either side of Interstate 65 connected by a bore under the highway. William Shepherd of Municipal Consultants estimated the cost of the project at $557,119.
The sewer line will provide service to 20-acres the city owns on I-65. City officials said they hope the sewer service will spur development on the property.
The price could fluctuate based on the size of casings the engineer opts to use and any unforeseen geological conditions under the interstate. The bulk of the costs - some $315,000 - is associated with the boring project under the interstate.
The council authorized Mayor Dwight Tankersley and City Attorney Larry Madison to negotiation with Hartselle Utilities on the terms of the project. The final contract must be approved by the council.
HU and the council met Monday night to discuss the project.
The city will foot the cost for the project; Hartselle Utilities will serve as project managers and provide inspectors.
HU is footing the bill to provide water and gas service across the interstate.
Councilman Mark Mizzell said he’d like to see HU do more.
HU General Manager Ferrell Vest said neither entity could be assured the project would be profitable.
The money for the project will come from the city’s reserve funds. The engineering work for the project is complete. Once the contract is approved, the work will take six to nine months.