Posted: 2/10/05
By MaryHelen Swanson
The city of Harris may be down the road a piece from North Branch but there are those who think connecting the two cities through the sewer pipes is a viable solution to solving Harrisí wastewater problems.
At the Jan. 27 North Branch City Council work session, a discussion centered on whether North Branch should allow Harris to hook up to city utilities.
Harris, City Administrator Joe Lynch said, needs to submit its wastewater plan to the state by March 1. He noted that there are currently 134 residents now that would be affected in Harris, but that number is projected to increase to 556 in 20 years and 1,143 in 40 years.
Lynch said asked the council if they wanted to continue talking with Harris about the possibility of hook up to NBís wastewater treatment facility.
It wouldnít change anything with the cityís new plant, Lynch said. He said NB could accommodate Harrisí needs, but down the line, (40 years) he said, the additional use might affect Phase IV of the cityís wastewater plans.
The advantage of bringing them in, said City Engineer Julie Dresel, is that the city would get paid for some of its extra capacity at its new plant.
Dresel also noted that if the city brought Harris in, it would be as customers and not in a joint powers venture.
NB Mayor Gloria Karsky was interested in knowing if Harris had other viable options.
While several council members were not wholly in favor of continuing talks with Harris on the issue, it was a vague consensus that the city should continue informal talks with Harris.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com