CHIMACUM — The Port Hadlock Sewer Project, the roundabout at the Hood Canal Bridge, Discovery Trail and bad neighbors were discussed at a Jefferson County commissioners’ Community Outreach meeting.
Jefferson County commissioners met in at the East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Station in Chimacum on Tuesday night to discuss local issues with citizens in the area in the second part of the six-part Community Outreach series.
More than 25 people were in attendance, including the three commissioners and a large number of county staff and administration.
The forum was open to any topic that the community felt was important to them, but before the conversion was opened to the public, commissioners offered two presentations made, a short one regarding the extension of the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Port Hadlock Waste Water System.
Two other issues were brought up by community members, a neighbor who cut down a swath of trees and made a trail through a different owners property, and concerns about the proposed roundabout at the Hood Canal Bridge.
The resident who talked about the roundabout opposed the idea, and presented her idea about a possible overpass instead.
Commission Chair Kate Dean agreed that the roundabout is not right for that area and most of those in attendance seemed to agree.
The Olympic Discovery Trail was approved to extend the Larry Scott Trail from the Four Corners Area to Anderson State Park, with the next steps being acquiring the land, trail design and trail construction.
The Port Hadlock Waste Water System (also known as the Port Hadlock Sewer Project) has been in development since 2008.
Public Works Director Monte Reinders explained how the time is right for the sewer project to move forward.
“We’ve had record amounts of solid waste, which is a sign of good economy,” Reinders said.
The county already owns the two locations where the sewer and treatment plants would be located and initial plans for the system include 350 acres for the core area.
The ability of having a sewer system will open the possibilities of apartments and more affordable housing options, which is difficult to do with zoning and septic, Reinders said.
The question was raised as to who will be required to hook up into the sewer system.
“Ideally everyone in the area should hook up to generate the max amount of income to pay for it,” Reinders said. “But it will be equally challenging to have mandatory hook ups.”
The capacity for the sewer system can be expanded as needed, which allows for growth within the community, Reinders said.
The next Community Outreach Meeting will be Aug. 21 at the Gardiner Community Center, located at 980 Old Gardiner Road.
All meetings for the community outreach series start at 6 p.m.
The full list of meetings and locations can be found at tinyurl.com/JBOCC schedule.
Commissioners conduct regular meetings every Monday, except for the fifth Monday of a month, starting at 9 a.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
________
Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5 or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
