BRUNSWICK COUNTY—Belville has until June 4 to respond to accusations that it broke state law and colluded with H2GO officials when it agreed to purchase the sanitary district last November.
Belville, Leland and H2GO Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer have been locked in a court battle since last year; the issue began in November, when H2GO’s outgoing board transferred the district’s assets to the town of Belville before newly elected commissioners could take office.
Last month, Leland and H2GO jointly filed an amended complaint against Belville, alleging among other things that the town stripped the sanitary district of its power.
RELATED: H2GO and Leland double down on allegations against Belville
Leland and H2GO’s most recent complaint alleges Belville violated the state’s Open Meetings Law and violated various state statutes when the town “colluded” with H2GO’s outgoing board in facilitating a transfer of the sanitary district’s assets.
H2GO’s current board wants its assets back and opposes the November 2017 transfer facilitated by its outgoing board and the town of Belville.
Since Leland and H2GO’s first filing on Jan. 25 that included allegations of Belville’s participation in an “illegal debt transfer,” Belville has not yet formally responded to the complaint’s claims.
On March 21, the case changed hands to Superior Court Judge Charles Henry after it was ruled “exceptional” by the state’s chief justice under Rule 2.1 of the General Rules of Practice.
Such a ruling allows for complicated or multi-party cases to be heard by a judge with experience in related cases.
Henry is a resident Superior Court justice in Onslow County and was selected due to his expertise in cases involving sanitary districts.
On April 20, 2018, Belville was granted an extension to respond to the complaints Leland and H2GO have filed, giving it until June 4 to formally respond. Mike McGill, spokesman for Belville, said the extension “is just a routine procedural action.”
To catch up with all details of this complicated case, read Port City Daily’s timeline on how reverse osmosis broke up a local water utility.
Send tips to Johanna Ferebee at johanna@localvoicemedia.com or follow Johanna on Twitter @j__ferebee
