This purpose of this letter is to inform residents of the proposed inclusion of Chapman Lake and surrounding areas into the Lakeland Regional Sewer District, i.e., Barbee Lakes.On Sept. 8, 2008, a group calling themselves Chapman Lakes Environmental Watch, An Association of Property Owners, filed a petition with the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners to achieve this goal.
The primary need stated is that on-site septic tanks around the lake leak have failed or will fail. Factual documentation of this claim was not present in the petition. Current studies of the quality of the lake water do not support this claim to be of urgent or critical need to be immediately addressed.
There is documentation by the County Heath Department of stated lot size requirements for approved septic systems. Also, percentages of developments around the lake that do not conform to these requirements.
There are areas in which property owners experience septic problems during flooding due to natural rainfall and heavy snow melts.
While a need for a sewer system may be desirable solution for those residences in the flood plain area, the decision to being included in the LRSD begs the question - is this the only choice, were other solutions presented or considered?
LRSD, as noted in the petition, is identified as a regional sewer district organized by an independent political entity of the State of Indiana. It has a board of seven appointed members, appointed by the county commissioners.
The documentation recorded in the recorder's office in the county courthouse recognizes LRSD as an independent political entity of the State of Indiana as a body corporate and politic.
Certainly there are issues and needs that require solutions, however, input should come from all property owners - not from a few, who did because they could.
Many property owners were not aware of this proposal because it was proposed at a meeting in December 2008 when many summer residents were not at the Lake and then presented to the county commissioners.
This letter is to promote transparency and encourage residents to research the facts to become more informed and perhaps prevent a few from imposing their choices on many.
Concerned Citizens: All research for this letter comes from the submitted petition from the offices of the county auditor and recorder's offices.
