The Town Council voted unanimously Nov. 17 to commence a project, which will give 11 homes along NC Hwy 50 and New Rand Road sewer access.

Although Garner Town Engineer Frank Powell said the N.C. DOT doesn’t plan to extend the sewer line to that area, the Council decided to go forward with the project.

The extension calls for the installation of nearly 970 linear feet of wastewater collection pipe, 100 percent of which will be assessed to the property owners. The cost for each homeowner will be nearly $6,300.

However, the project may be coming at too high a price for one family.

During the Sept. 22 meeting, Jaan Utno was the only resident to raise an issue with the cost of the extension. He said now is not a good time for his family to have to pay the large amount of money and his septic tank is in good working order.

While Utno won’t be able to opt out of the expense, he and other homeowners affected will have the option of paying in one lump sum or over eight years with an interest rate of eight percent.

Tedesco begins School Board work, starting with Council

John Tedesco stood before the Council during the work session Nov. 17, asking for advice from Garner’s elected officials.

With 17,000 employees and 140,000 students, Tedesco said, Wake County has surpassed the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area as the largest school system in the state and the 18th largest school system in the nation.

Because of the high numbers, Tedesco said he hopes to build a relationship with local Town Councils like Garner’s in order to listen to more people and incorporate more good ideas into the system.

He wants to do away with the “I can’t” attitudes and make change happen for the students.

“Our philosophy is going to be very clear to our staff,” Tedesco said.

He also said it will be necessary to implement reassignment during natural changes for students, like in between elementary and middle schools or between middle and high schools.

He said he doesn’t want children to go through another reassignment if it isn’t essential.

Closed meeting with ConAgra offers no insight

During a closed session, the Council met with ConAgra representatives to get a status report on the plant and to discuss economic development in Garner. However, no other information was made available at that time.