Oxford Sewer Authority mulls selling property

Selling entire system also an option

OXFORD » The Oxford Area Sewer Authority has a plan to catch up on payments due on a USDA loan, but it may take the sale of authority property to make it happen.

“We owe $1.2 million past due. We have twelve months to resolve that obligation as well as twelve months of debt service,” Authority Director David Busch said at the Aug. 16, authority board meeting.

One way to come up with the money that the board is considering is the sale of the authority’s office building on Third Street. A portion of that building is currently leased to Bog Turtle Brewery. They are also pursuing the sale of a piece of unused land near the authority’s existing spray fields at the end of Brick Street.

“The workout agreement is completed and Aug. 2 signed by USDA. I think that’s another success. At least we have a road map for the next twelve months,” Busch said.

There is also the possibility that the entire system could be sold. Two entities have made serious inquiries about purchasing the sewer system, but there is nothing firm at this time.

The authority is also working to recover its costs from users who put high-strength waste into the system, which requires more treatment beyond typical residential septage. To put the costs on those who are producing the waste, the authority is going to institute a testing plan for businesses that have the potential for putting excess grease or chemicals into the system, such

as restaurants, factories, dry cleaning, etc.

Businesses will soon receive a survey they are required to fill in and return describing their practices. Effluent will be tested at the users’ cost. In cases where high-strength waste is found, a tighter testing program will be required, with a surcharge applied for violations.

The authority already has a surcharge schedule in place, but it has not been enforced.

“They need to pay the cost associated with processing that waste,” Busch said. “The groundwork was done. Why it was never put in place I don’t know.”