Wal-Mart developer offers to pay for sewer
Toolbox
Associated Press - Published: August 12, 2006
DERBY — A real estate developer has offered to help pay for a sewer line extension so he can build a Wal-Mart store in the Northeast Kingdom. The sewer line issue has delayed Jeff Davis' plans to apply for the permits he'll need to build a 150,000-square-foot store. He wanted to seek the permits in February and now hopes that an upcoming meeting with members of the Derby Select Board will clear up the issue. "This fall we've got to get going," Davis said. "We're very anxious to get started."
There are questions among Newport, Derby and Derby Center about allocation of sewer capacity in the Newport sewer treatment plant, which is the primary reason for the delay. Village trustees in Derby Center have questioned whether the Wal-Mart would be a good idea and they put a moratorium on sewer service last year.
The town argues that it has voter approval to buy $1 million in sewer service from Newport.
But Derby Center trustees say an agreement gives the village authority over sewer service to businesses on U.S. Route 5, where the Wal-Mart would be built.
A lawyer for the town is investigating that part of the dispute and the town Select Board plans to discuss the various issues at its meeting next week, said Chairman Brian Smith.
Davis said he would push the town about hooking into the sewer system, even though he's tried to stay out of the dispute between the town and village, and would pay for a private septic system design if he needs to.
19