CUMBERLAND GAP - The town of Cumberland Gap is seeing green - $250,000, in possible grant money with the aid of Zack Wamp in efforts to complete the Tiprell Waste Water improvement project, according to town consultant Gary McGill.

McGill told the mayor and aldermen during their regular session Monday that through a State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG), the town could possibly obtain more funding to complete projects for their sewer plant. He explained to the board that this was an opportunity that needed to be acted on quickly and that Congressman Wamp has agreed to "carry the ball for them" to get the funds.

The resolution to apply for the grant was passed by the board after discussion and upon recommendation by McGill. He said that it was an opportunity to get more money for the existing project. The town's plant manager Randy England has made a list of things that could be done to improve the plant - those items are expected to be discussed in further detail at the next budget workshop, which has been slated for Feb. 21.

The $250,000 would not cost the town any matching funds and would prove to be beneficial. Although there has been some indecisive thinking within the town in the past on what to do with the current waste treatment plant, McGill said that things are looking a little different than they were a year ago.

"I think the direction of our sewer plant is not as clear as I think it may have been at one time," said McGill. "It's because we have the opportunity to keep it or not under certain circumstances. I have some concerns about putting money into the plant if it's not going to go for the long term - only for a period of time until we change the waste water flow to the Claiborne County Utility District."

McGill added that Tiprell has had a lot of wet weather flows and non-sewer issues this year, due to the unusual wet season the area has had.

He suggested the council follow a process and discuss the plant issues in further detail at the budget workshop. Ultimately, the issue of keeping the plant or abandoning it will be the breakdown.

"I don't think it's a technical question, it's a financial one," he said. "We need to break these down in financial issues in the short run and long runs."

In other business, the town is still having issues with people not paying for utility bills once they move out of town. Alderman Roger Whitaker said he thought the people should be held accountable.

A collection agency is being looked at in aiding the town in the bill collecting process. If agreed to go ahead, nearly $700 would be due up front to the agency and they would be able to help collect money in 50 different accounts. The agency could also help collect money for property taxes as well help on the Tiprell accounts.

"When you reach a point when you determine the debt is not collectable, in bank terminology, they say wright it off," said town attorney Robert Estep. "When you reach that point, it is time to turn them over to the collection agency."

Estep added that procedures were being followed to collect property taxes and more on the collection process could be discussed in the budget meeting.