No firm decision from town, but Paradise homeowner hopeful on relocation due to sewage spills

A property owner in Paradise says there seems to be an end to an ongoing sewage nightmare, but the town says no official decisions have been made.

Jim Clarke's family home is next to the sewage lift station that's been the site of problems since its pumps failed last month.

While his property has been flooded by raw sewage several times since he bought the property in 2004, last week's was the worst it's ever been, with raw sewage spraying him, his family, and his home.

Clarke wants the town to pay for his family to be put up in a rental property, as well as buy him out of his land.

Clarke said the mayor and deputy mayor called him personally following a private council meeting Tuesday evening to give him an update.

"In the meeting they approved the rental property. They are going to get us a new place as soon as possible," said Clarke late Tuesday night.

Clarke said the town has also agreed to pay for the utilities and moving costs.

Mayor says no decision made

However, the town tells a different story. Council did not discuss the matter in the public portion of itsmeeting, but gathered afterwards in a private meeting.

CBC News asked to speak with the mayor after that private meeting, but according to staff, he was not available.

Before council went into its private meeting, Mayor Dan Bobbett said there was no decision being made onClarke's requests.

"Obviously that is something that the town, we've got to look at," Bobbett said, adding the town is evaluating all the information it has.

It'snot clear when that information will be discussed at a public meeting.

Despite that, Clarke saidhe's thrilled.

He said the town told him they already hired a company to appraisehishouse and land.

The town informed him the decision has to go through the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment and a public council meeting before it could beapproved, Clarke said, which could take up to six months.

Pumping trucks on standby

As of about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, two new pumps were installed atthe lift station behind Clarke's home, eliminating the need for the sewage trucks. However, the mayor said those trucks would be on standby just in case.

Bobbett said the next step is to lower the levels in the chamber so experts can assess the damage.

"Engineer staff can have a good look at what is going on there and talk about next steps. Get the repairs made."

• Spewing sewage the latest in stinky saga for Paradise residents

• Paradise spending $50K a day to truck sewage away from broken pump station

The town was spending $50,000a day to truck sewage away from the broken pump system. It's been over 20 days since that started.

With the price tag now over a million dollars, Bobbett said the town is looking for help from the provincial government.

"I have a meeting next week with the minister of municipal affairs to sit down and talk about possibilities and next steps, if there is any funding out there."

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador