Upon further review, the Fayette County School System will be able to hook its Jenkins Road school campus to Tyrone’s sewer system.

Earlier this month the Fayette County Commission voted 3-2 to deny the school’s request, which was for an easement so the sewer lines can be put in the road’s right of way to reach Tyrone’s sewer system.

School officials want the sewer so they can decommission the current sewer treatment system used on-site because it is getting older and will require more money for capital improvements.

Thursday night’s approval for the easement was unanimous but it came with a caveat: no other developer will be able to tie onto the new sewer line.

County Attorney Don Comer explained that there is a difference between a school system with publicly owned buildings and churches, which are all privately owned entities. That explanation seemed to tip the matter in favor of the school board.

Commissioner Eric Maxwell indicated the commission needs to be very cautious with allowing sewer access to unincorporated areas of the county.

Maxwell commended Comer for his research and said he was glad the school’s request could be accommodated “without opening Pandora’s box.”

The commission also established other conditions on the easement, including that the school system was responsible for the maintenance of the easement and any necessary repairs, and also it must pay to have the line relocated if necessary in the future.

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