After five years and as many meetings, a local group known as Seymour Sewer, Inc. appears to be at the final step prior to awarding a contract to install sewer lines on Chapman Highway between Macon Lane and Shooks Gap.
At a meeting last Thursday evening, in the meeting room of CNB Bank on Chapman Highway, it was decided by the dozen property and business owners along the proposed stretch of highway that January 2, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Seymour Market & Deli, (formally Collins), would be the final deadline for the opportunity to be one of the original organizers and save money.
Bill Wright of B & L Enterprises, one of the contractors who submitted an estimate to perform the 4” to 6” sewer installation and has aided the organization with his knowledge in getting through the politics in Sevierville had submitted the plans to Nashville. At the previous group meeting it was stated by Ron French that “When the plans get back then we’ll plan another meeting with the affected land owners to finalize everything and to actually put the money on the table. We’ll set some deadlines and get things rolling.”
French, owner of Seymour Hardware and organizer, reiterated this opportunity stating, “It’s time. This project will mean several positive things, not only for us but for the community”, he said, “It would increase the possibilities for business expansion, increase the proposed sewer system and Sevierville Water System, the provider of the sewer services would have been finalized at the last meeting,” according to French. “The group wanted to give as many (property and business owners along the proposed sewer line) the opportunity to take advantage of saving money,” stated French. “It’s not final yet, but the original ones that step up to plate now will be saving money.”
In the past it was proposed that anyone tying into the sewer line after it was installed would pay a pro-rated cost amounting to the entire cost divided by the total number of participants. At this meeting it was proposed that anyone other than the original organizers would have to pay a set fee, proposed to be greater than the organizer’s cost. “That way, it benefits those that are undecided, to go ahead and make the decision to save money, because it will cost them more later,” stated one of the attendees.
Specifics of the contract were discussed. The estimated price tag of the project is approximately $130,000. French stated, “If only 25 percent of the property owners participate, the cost to each would be about $6,000.00”. French estimates that there are at least 12 parties that have given their commitment willing to go ahead with the project. “However, if additional landowners step up to the plate, the cost per owner could go down considerably,” French said. Several attendees also stated they are ready to go with money in hand.
If one was to look at the business growth on the south side of the light at Macon Crossing and the north side, it’s pretty simple to see what sewer can help provide, according to French.
For further information on the plan or the next meeting, you can contact Ron or Gail French at 865-573-3511.

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