Sewer committee engages in brain-storming

Members of an Oconee sewer committee acknowledge the need for a better working relationship between Oconee County government and the separate political entity of the Joint Regional Sewer Authority.  “A conversation needs to be had,” said Leigh Baker of Westminster, member of the JRSA’s operation and planning committee.  Atop the committee’s agenda Wednesday was discussion of the JRSA’s role in supporting future growth in areas outside municipal boundaries.  Bob Faires of Seneca, commitee chairman, and Chris Eleazer, JRSA executive director, agreed that the sewer authority has a role in economic development.  One of many issues in front of the full board of commissioners is whether customers in one municipality’s territory should be obligated to help pay for service projects inside another’s.  Lately that has been a sensitive subject as Walhalla members have questioned whether their customers should have to pay for sewer expansion to accommodate new apartment projects on the 123 corridor between Seneca and Clemson.