Chapin residents are concerned about a new neighborhood sewer plan.

They came to the July 3 town hall meeting to question sewer extensions.

They say the town will allow developers to build sewer extension lines to their neighborhoods in exchange for sewer taps.

Milton Moore, a spokesman for the Old Forge Community Coalition, said “this is not what Chapin needs.”

Moore said Chapin utilities Director Andy Metts brought the idea from Richland County.

“The infrastructure will not hold all the people developers want to bring,” said Sandra Corley. “I resent the fact the utility director was trying to slide this policy without us being aware of it.”

Without a master sewer plan, one concern was this policy would create unlimited development.

“We oppose any expansion of water and sewer outside of town limits that will ultimately lead to more suburban sprawl in the unincorporated areas of Wessinger Road and Old Lexington Corridor,” said John Bender of the Old Forge Coalition.

The group asked who should decide the best interests of the town, the elected town council or a paid town employee.

The policy written by Metts states he would determine if providing sewer service is “in the best interest of the town.”

In his policy, Metts has no written standards or guidelines to determine how he would analyze if sewer service to a subdivision would or would not be in the best interest of the town, the group said.

Charli Wessinger asked council if they would consider restricting sewer tap distribution.

Metts replied, “The Town of Chapin was the designated sewer agency, according to the 208 Regional Water Quality Management Plan. They are required to provide sewer to all development in an area.”

The group said under the 208 Plan, the town of Folly Beach won a lawsuit in 2004 by refusing sewer service to a developer because it was not in the town’s best interest.

“We retain highly qualified staff, and we will continue to work as a team to determine what is in the best interest of the town,” said Mayor David Knight.

The new policy states that sewer extensions already in the Capital Improvement Project list will be submitted to council for approval.