Lanett resident asks city council for sewer easement

BY JOHN BRICE

FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LANETT — Local business owner Dave Shirley addressed the Lanett City Council on Monday to request a sewer easement on property he owns. 

“In 1989, my parents and I bought the first lot located in the county in Nora Villa, the subdivision right off of Phillips Road behind the golf course,” Shirley said. “In 2001, someone from within the city government gave the go ahead to come through our property without asking us to dig and cut trees to put in a sewage line right through our property, which was county property and not city of Lanett property. Instead of suing the city, the city manager gave us a letter on city letterhead that we would receive free sewage hook up along with free sewage for our lifetime.”

Shirley said the request involves applying the city’s earlier agreement to the home where he now lives. 

“As you can see, the address assigned on the paperwork is way off from what it should be,” he said. “It should be 2507 or something closer, as our home is 2505. I have met with Mr. Chapman, the sewer department manager, and he has shown me the manhole that [the sewer] can be tied into. His crew would dig and set up the connections a few feet from the manhole, which will be on our county property listed on the paperwork. We are asking the council and the mayor for your help. We want to use this offer on the house we currently live in. The lot that the said agreement is on is located adjacent to 2505. We are currently on a septic tank and would like to switch to city sewage. We have already met with our plumber and this can be accomplished.”

Mayor Jamie Heard assured Shirley that the city of Lanett would get back with him regarding their decision on his request.

In other business:

• The council approved proclamations for National Night Out 2026 and National Health Center Week 2026.

• The council approved a motion authorizing the mayor to sign an easement agreement with Alabama Power to provide electrical service for new hangars planned at the Lanett Regional Airport.

• The council also received a written report from Building Inspector Mark Crowder stating that demolition of the structure at 912 N. Eighth St. would cost $6,000.