Staff Writer
CARRBORO – Attempts to resolve a sewage problem on the south side of Main Street have run into unforeseen difficulties, leaving businesses to rely on a temporary fix that state officials could deem unsuitable early next year.
Owners of property on the south side of the block of Main Street from Armadillo Grill to Friendly Barber have been working to fix the problem since Aug. 26, when sewage began to discharge in the parking lot behind the businesses. The problem was cleaned up and temporarily fixed, but without a long-term solution the blockage could force the closure of the restaurants and bar on the block.
The Carrboro Board of Aldermen approved a $60,000 loan from the town’s revolving loan fund for the property owners earlier this fall to repair 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.
However, property owners ran into issues with the repair, which would require crossing over the property of Jean Ward, who owns the building that houses Friendly Barber and the Orange County Social Club.
“I have an option that none of the other property owners could have, and that is that I could separate and I could have my own sewer line, and that is probably the route that I am going to take,†Ward said. “I just think that would be in my interest right now and in the future.â€
Carrboro economic development director Annette Stone said the town is working with Ward’s representatives to negotiate a public easement through her property. Last week, the board authorized town staff to explore all options to fix the situation, and board members said they would consider providing some town funding for the repair.
“My main interest is my clients – my tenants that are in my space,†Ward added.
Ward confirmed that a spokesperson was discussing an easement over her property with the town.
Implications for restaurants
Tom Konsler, environmental health director for the county, said the health department has issued an intent to suspend the permits of Acme, Armadillo Grill and Orange County Social Club, because the temporary fix is not an approved connection. The businesses have appealed, and the appeal will be considered at a state hearing in late January or early February.
“Our goal is to work with these businesses so they can continue to stay in operation until they have an appropriate and approved sewer connection,†he said, adding that the county must also work to protect public health.
Konsler added that Second Wind Juice Bar and Café, a new business planned for the former Roulette space, would not be able to secure a permit until the line is repaired or another approved connection to the OWASA line is made.
Kevin Callaghan, owner of Acme, said that if he were forced to close his restaurant for a period of time, he would consider moving his business elsewhere.
“I have a responsibility for 47 employees,†he said. “It’s not something that we would ever want to do, but if push comes to shove, we would have to make a decision about that.â€
Callaghan believes the town should take the lead in resolving the issue.
“You need infrastructure,†he said. “It’s ultimately the thing that makes businesses want to come here.â€
Property owners have several options: negotiate an easement over Ward’s property for a shared line; make individual connections to the OWASA line on Main Street, which some have deemed cost-prohibitive; or extend a sewer line to Roberson Street, which could cost as much as $250,000, according to town officials.