Westminster enters DHEC consent order

Mayor Brian Ramey of Westminster thinks the state’s health authority is acting like too much of a Big Brother when it comes to his city’s sewer collection system.  But the second-term mayor was in the minority this week when the city council voted 6-1 to enter into a consent order with the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Potential penalties are possible unless Westminster satisfies what DHEC inspectors found lacking during sewer inspections.  Ramey says it’s common that DHEC inspectors turn up shortcomings in many of the inspections they conduct across the state.  In Westminster’s case, among the findings, was a lack of proper documentation.  The mayor says he thinks the state agency is being heavy-handed to his city, saying that in recent years Westminster has completed three upgrades to the collector system and is working on a fourth. 101.7/WGOG NEWS requested comment from DHEC.  Spokeswoman Laura Renwick said, “DHEC can’t comment on ongoing enforcement activities.  We can provide a copy of the Consent Order once it’s finalized.”