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i <br /> 59 <br /> STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA <br /> UTILITIES COMMISSION <br /> RALEIGH <br /> Docket No. w-848, Sub 15 <br /> Docket No. W-848, Sub 16 <br /> BEFORE THE NORTH CAROLINA UTILITIES COMMISSION <br /> In the Matter of <br /> Piney Mountain Homeowners ) <br /> Association, Inc. , ) <br /> Complainant ) OBJECTION OF PINEY MOUNTAIN <br /> HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION TO <br /> V. ) PROPOSED ASSESSMENT FOR <br /> CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS <br /> North State Utilities, Inc. , ) <br /> Respondent ) <br /> The Piney Mountain Homeowners Association ("Homeowners <br /> Association") objects to the request by Harrco Utility Corporation <br /> ("Harrco") filed on December 1, 1993, for an assessment to users of <br /> the system in the Piney Mountain sewerage system to pay for certain- <br /> capital improvements and repairs and asks the Commission to <br /> postpone consideration of this request. In support of this motion, <br /> the Homeowners Association shows the Commission as follows: <br /> 1. Harrco has requested an assessment totaling $207, 610. 57, <br /> which would result in an assessment of over $6,000 to each current <br /> user of the system (assuming only current users would be subject to <br /> the assessment. ) This amount is substantial and would impose a <br /> considerable financial burden on each user. <br /> 2 . The Homeowners Association has information indicating that <br /> even if this substantial sum is spent to improve and repair the <br /> sewerage system, it still will not be adequate to serve the <br /> subdivision for the life of the homes in the subdivision. The <br /> Homeowners Association has a letter from Paul K. Thames, the <br /> Engineer for Orange County, stating his opinion that because of the <br /> poor design and construction of the system, "there is no way to <br /> assure that this waste treatment system will ever perform <br /> adequately, regardless of the funds expended on improving <br /> operational practices or mechanical flaws inherent in the system. " <br /> A copy of this letter is attached as Exhibit A. The Homeowners <br /> Association also has a report from Barrett Kays & Associates, a <br /> private engineering firm hired by the Homeowners Association to <br /> test the soils in the existing nitrification fields, stating that <br /> much of the soil presently used by the system for nitrification <br /> fields does not meet the state standards for such use and that the <br /> Rai l\011317-002\(x1Dr6 Z\ 12.2:•73 <br />