The Meridian Service Metropolitan District held its monthly board meeting Nov. 6. Effects of new federal regulations on wastewater costs, improvements to user experience at the recreation center and the possibility of construction in the commercial area of the development were discussed.Marti Wallner, senior director of the Meridian Ranch YMCA, told the board that new technology improvements for residents at the recreation center are coming soon. Residents will be able to sign up for text alerts about weather closures and program changes. A YMCA Smartphone app that includes an electronic version of the membership card and class schedules will roll out as well. ìYou don’t have to remember your phone and your card any more. No one leaves their house without their phone anyway,î Wallner said.Wayne Monson, board finance specialist, reported there have been no financial advances from GTL, Meridian Ranch developer, to the district for about six months. The district has been able to support its operations from residentsí fees, without assistance from the land developer. Monson also said the wastewater lift station remained on budget throughout the project. There will be a district budget hearing Dec. 4 to allow residents to provide input about the 2014 budget, before it is submitted to El Paso County Dec 15.ìWe’re not going to add any more fees than what is required to keep us going,î said Doug Woods, developer representative. ìBut electricity fees are eating us alive in the recreation center and street lighting. You can spin the story any way you want, but the reality is galling.î The new wastewater lift station and sewage treatment facility are designed to meet the new regulations as they go into effect in 2016 and 2022, he said. ìIt’s going to have to be Arrowhead-pure water going back into the ground out here, and it’s not just us; it’s even in San Diego where they’re dumping it out into the ocean,î Woods said. ìThe quality of the water will have to be as clean or cleaner than what we pull out of the well.îThere is interest from businesses in developing the commercial site at the corner of Meridian Road and Stapleton Road, Woods said. GTL is negotiating with architects for master commercial plans to create the business park. ìThis time next year we’ll have some activity out there,î Woods said. ìPeople are already asking for a coffee shop, dry cleaners ñ all the basic things that one would expect in a community like this.î
