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gallons per day capacity. There was a commitment signed by the residents and the County in <br /> 1987 and the commitments are being fulfilled to expand the system to Phase II, which would <br /> pick up 100+ residents. Orange County has received some EPA grants to finish the system. <br /> The plan at this time is to put in one more lift station, dump it back into the old one, and then <br /> the old one would send all of the effluent back to Hillsborough. It is difficult to manage this <br /> system because it is so small and the cost to the residents is quite high. If the system is built <br /> larger in the future, they would have to stay at the 380,000 gallons per day cap. The question <br /> is whether it should go back to Hillsborough or Mebane. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the County has had some general discussions with Mebane and <br /> it has generally agreed to accept the quote, but the agreement needs to be amended for the <br /> long-term. Secondly, the County could look at the current agreement with Hillsborough and <br /> maybe release some of that capacity if it is needed. Ultimately, the issue revolves around the <br /> cost of doing this, which will be quite high. He said that his goal is to get the County out of the <br /> utility business. <br /> Commissioner Lloyd said that she was on the Board of Health when all of those septic <br /> systems failed in Efland. She said that each of those areas received a grant and all the people <br /> had to do was to pay to tap on to the system. She said that the Board of Health made sure <br /> that every deed showed whether or not the residents of the houses had tapped on. <br /> Eric Peterson said that this would be a win for Hillsborough to have the additional <br /> capacity. <br /> Frank Clifton said that the next steps would be for staff to look at the provisions of the <br /> existing agreement and work on a reasonable release of the County. This would be at least <br /> ten years out. <br /> 5. Local Landmarking Program <br /> Margaret Hauth said that there is a State law that allows a local jurisdiction to designate <br /> landmarks within the jurisdiction and the property owners are entitled to a reduction in the tax <br /> bill in return for maintaining the properties according to certain standards. The Town of <br /> Hillsborough does not have a program like this, but Orange County does have this program for <br /> the unincorporated areas. From time to time, there is interest from property owners within the <br /> ETJ to pursue local landmarking. There is some interest in working with the County to see if <br /> there is a way to give that ability back to Orange County. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he is in favor of facilitating this and all agreed. Frank <br /> Clifton said that the staff can start this process. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she would like to see the implications of this for the <br /> County. <br /> 6. Update on Rail Station <br /> Margaret Hauth said that on March 31st, from 4:30-8:00 p.m., the Town of Hillsborough <br /> will be hosting an open house public forum on the latest round of design for the train station. <br /> The Town is waiting for funding (ARRA) before moving forward. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked if it was clear whether or not the high speed rail funding <br /> would cover the station and Margaret Hauth said that it is pretty clear that the funding will not <br /> fund the station. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the process with the HYAA fields. Commissioner <br /> Gering said that it became clear that the cost of moving the fields was expensive, and the <br /> committee decided in the short-term to move a couple of the ballfields and then when needed, <br /> the rest of the ballfields could be moved. There is a representative from HYAA on the task <br /> force. <br />