FRANKLIN, Tenn. -
Residents in a Franklin neighborhood are voicing their concerns and complaints after a strong stench and mosquitoes continue to surround their neighborhood pool.
Homeowners in the Forrest Crossing neighborhood said in the heat of the summer a horrific smell and pesky mosquitoes come from a nearby water retention pond that borders the community and Forrest Crossing Golf Course.
Nashville's News 2 Investigates spoke with residents of the neighborhood who called the smell "offensive" and that of a "dirty diaper."
Resident Ondrea Harrison said the stagnant pond has created a dangerous mosquito ground.
"It's miserable to sit up there," Harrison said. "You need to have sunscreen and mosquito repellent."
Harrison said she, along with many residents have been complaining about the problem for years.
"Basically our complaint is the pond needs to be cleaned. The response is it is not our pond, the HOA says we need the golf course's agreement, and the golf course says the pond is not on our property, basically it is not our job is the response," she explained, adding, "I'm very angry. We pay dues to get certain things done and nothing is done. That is a major problem every summer."
Nashville's News 2 Investigates spoke with several officials regarding the unclean pond.
"According to our Building and Neighborhood Services Department and our Engineering/Storm water Department, the pond is located partly on the HOA and primarily on the Forrest Crossing Golf Course," explained Milissa Reierson of the city of Franklin.
"There is no code or ordinance that would allow the city to get involved. There is a history going back more than a year [as far as we know] on who should be responsible for maintenance of the pond."
General Manager of Forest Crossing Golf Course Todd Murray said the golf course shares the public concern about the condition of the water in the catch basin, but that the water in the basin is actually runoff from the residential subdivision located adjacent to the golf course property.
"We are currently working cooperatively with the subdivision to come up with a resolution to address the issue and take swift action," he said.
Jim Sartor, HOA manager added, "We have been working with the golf course which has agreed to provide a fountain or a pump or a grinder if we provide the electricity."
Sartor continued, "We contacted the golf course last year and they are now coming to the table. Seventy-five to 80% of the pond is on their land, but it is the street drainage that feeds the pond."
Sartor said he expects swift action, perhaps in the next two weeks and that residents can expect a chemical treatment and possibly algae eating fish.
He added the golf course waters its grass from the pond, so there is a concern what chemicals will be used to treat the pond.
An HOA meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at the Forrest Crossing club house to discuss the issue.
