Long-term fix could take months
By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CARRBORO – The owners of property on the south side of the block of Main Street from Armadillo Grill to Friendly Barber are working to fix a sewage problem that, left unresolved, could force the closure of some businesses.
On Aug. 26, sewage began to discharge at ground level in the parking lot behind the businesses, forcing Acme Food and Beverage Co. and other businesses to close early, at the urging of the Orange County Health Department. Last week, property and business owners met with OWASA, the N.C. Department of Transportation and health department and town officials to discuss a possible solution to the issue.
Tom Konsler, environmental health director for the county, said the situation was very concerning.
“We had sewage just flowing at gallons a minute across a parking lot with people walking,†he said. In that type of situation, “we have a real health concern.â€
The problem was cleaned up Aug. 26 and 27 and temporarily fixed, but without a long-term solution the blockage could force the closure of the dining establishments on the block.
John Greene, general manager of operations for OWASA, said there is a blockage in the private sewer line that runs behind the buildings, along the side of Friendly Barber and out to Main Street, where it connects to the public main. Greene said because the problem is with a private line, OWASA would not be responsible for repairing it, but officials could provide information and assistance.
Greene said it is unclear if the problem is simply blockage or if the 60-year-old line needs to be repaired. In any case, property owners would need to hire an engineer, plumber and others to resolve the issue.
Several property owners asked if it would be possible to secure emergency funding from the town for the repairs. Interim Town Manager Matt Efird said that though there were funds set aside to provide subsidies for connections to OWASA sewer, those funds were specified for residential use, and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen would have to change policy for the funds to be used otherwise.
Property owners asked if the board would consider changing that policy, and Efird said it could be put on a board agenda for a meeting as early as Sept. 13.
“I would hope that they would cooperate, because this is a part of Carrboro,†said Jean Ward, who owns the building that houses Friendly Barber and the Orange County Social Club. Ward said that the barbershop has many clients who are senior citizens and need parking nearby, so the issue has already hurt business there. The parking area near Friendly Barber is roped off.
“The town staff does not have an interest in seeing these businesses closed,†Efird said. “We want to see a good, positive solution for everybody.â€
Jerry Glass, the owner of Second Wind Juice Bar and Café, which is set to open in the space next to Armadillo Grill, questioned whether he would be able to open his new business.
Mike Canova, code enforcement supervisor for the town, told Glass that the temporary fix is inadequate, and that without the approved tie-in to the sewer he would be unable to issue a certificate of occupancy.
Jacques Menache, who owns the Armadillo Grill building, said he would like to see the property owners come together to find a solution as quickly as possible.