Killen's BREW hires gun

KILLEN -- Members of the Bridge Road Environmental Watch informed the town council Monday that they have hired a renowned hydrogeologist to assist them in opposing a sewage treatment plant in their area.

Killen Mayor Jerry Mitchell reminded the group that the town still has not received a proposal from Birmingham based Alabama Utility Services.

The company has an option on a 70-acre site in the Bridge Road area where it has conducted feasibility studies for a land-application sewage treatment facility.

The town has indicated that it needs a sewage treatment facility, or be allowed to hook into Florence's sewer system, for continued commercial development.

Dr. Jeffrey Schneider said BREW has retained the assistance of professional hydrogeologist Tom Aley.

Aley is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and has an extensive resume.

He has done work for the U.S. government and clients overseas. He also has worked with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Before the meeting, BREW member Rhea Fulmer said Aley visited an area near the site on his way through Alabama last week. She said Aley was concerned with the proposed facility's potential effect on groundwater.

Residents also are concerned about flooding from the site.

Fulmer said BREW will be doing some work on its own, including mapping springs, wells and marshy areas that might be affected by the proposed sewage treatment facility.

At one point during Schneider's presentation, several residents got up and walked out of the meeting.

The discussion continued, and Mitchell said Alabama Utility Services has been in contact with realtors about alternative sites for their facility.

"Based on that, they may choose to test other properties," the mayor said.

Once again, the council was asked but refused to eliminate the Bridge Road site from consideration.

The mayor said that the town did not suggest the site and reiterated that the town was approached by the company.

Some BREW members, including Sue James, were upset that the council only gave them 15 minutes to make their presentation after a council meeting that lasted more than two hours.

Mitchell informed Fulmer and Schneider that unless they had new information, they would be limited to 15 minutes, unless the council decided to allow them to continue.

"I thought it was rude," James said. "I'm concerned about my health and concerned about my property values."

The council's next meeting is set for 5 p.m. Aug. 28.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.