Now that all

the legal debate is over, Tyrone is ready to connect to Fairburn to treat

wastewater in the town's newest subdivision.

Town Manager

Barry Amos said he expects the sewage to be flowing between the towns

in early February. The first closing on a home in the John Wieland Southampton

subdivision is expected toward the end of this month and Amos said the

town is ready with all the connections to service the subdivision and

its proposed commercial development.

A Fulton County

judge ruled Jan. 11 that the two towns could move forward with the sewer

plan. Fayette County had filed suit to halt the plan, under which Tyrone

will purchase capacity in Fairburn's new treatment plant in order to serve

the subdivision.

County officials

have not ruled out appealing the court's ruling in the case. That decision

is likely to be made following consultations with attorneys Thursday.

On another

legal front, the town was notified of a suit filed by The Citizen for

violations of open meeting standards.

The paper has

filed suit asking that senior Judge Stephen Boswell's order directing

secret mediation between Fayette and its three cities concerning tax equity

be overturned, and asking that the mediation sessions be opened to the

public under Georgia's Open Meetings laws.

"I wish

we could join the suit with the paper. We've never tried to hide anything,"

said Councilman Paul Letorneau.

Councilman

Ronnie Cannon said he believes the paper should have filed the suit against

the judge, instead of the municipalities, but said the town is ready for

any legal challenges.