“Your hands are tied”–Brandt tells sewer board

The Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority’s in-house attorney says he does not believe he needs a co-counsel to properly advise the sewer commissioners on Seneca’s threat of a lawsuit centered on board re-alignment, but he is willing to work with a second attorney, the authority’s bond counsel Lawrence Flynn. However, Larry Brandt made clear that, from his reading of the language that created the JRSA, only the member cities may decide whether the authority’s governing board may be re-aligned.  And the municipal members, Brandt, added must be unanimous for realignment.  As Brandt spoke, the seat next to him was occupied by Seneca’s Scott Moulder, whose city is pressing for re-alignment with a threat to go to court to effect it.  Attorney Brandt the board to be respectful of Seneca’s position and reminded all of the commissioners that they represent Oconee County and that it’s paramount that everyone moves forward in a friendly, conciliatory way to address the many issues in front of the authority.  Those issues include immediate needs to resolve pipeline, pumping station, and treatment plant deficiencies, some of which the state environmental agency is monitoring thru a consent order.