This coming Saturday, Sept. 29, area property owners of Chapman Lake and Tippecanoe Lake have been notified there is a public meeting at the North Webster Community Center. Our Kosciusko County commissioners are considering a sewer district for these communities, and the estimated cost is $30 million to $40 million. We property owners have been informed that the proposed sewer district is not needed for water quality issues. The lake water passes regular testing with flying colors. The proposed sewer district is being considered to enhance lake lifestyle.
It is very sad that a few people can initiate this expensive project, but it takes 51 percent to put it down, especially since it is not an environmental issue. So … what does “enhance lake lifestyle” mean? Development! It means more traffic and noise around our lakes. It means a good possibility of increased contamination. It means construction of condos and apartment buildings, more crowds and boats. Our country roads are congested enough!
I have done some research on sewer districts. Even if a resident’s septic system is functioning properly, the resident can be mandated to tap on to the sewer. If certain conditions are met, the resident may be able to opt out, but it’s only temporary, and the resident will still owe interest. If a resident declines hooking up, a lien can be put on the property and sold at a sheriff’s sale.
I also learned that a sewer district can be formed without consent or vote of its citizens. Governing boards of regional sewer districts are appointed, not elected, which can create possible abuse or fraud. They can expand the district at will. Regional sewer districts do not have checks and balances. Sewer districts are not true representatives of a government agency.
Instead of establishing this unnecessary expensive project, why don’t property owners who may be experiencing septic issues get together to work out a solution with their neighbors? There are many ways to resolve them, such as tying problem properties together to a line that runs to a remote leach bed. Holding tanks are another possible solution. There are other possibilities that could be investigated and would cost a lot less than $30 million to $40 million.
Besides being forced to pay possibly several thousands of dollars to hook up to the sewer system and disabling a resident’s current septic system, monthly fees are projected to be $70 to $100 per month. Many of the residents cannot afford a nearly $1,000 increase in their cost of living per year. (Per IN.gov, the current average monthly sewer bill is approximately $45, using 5,000 gallons of water per month.)
“Enhancing lake lifestyle” is a selfish and weak argument and enslaves innocent people who will not benefit from the proposed sewer system. Please come to the meeting this Saturday at 1 p.m. at the North Webster Community Center and voice your concerns. It appears our commissioners want to leave a legacy of expanding socialism.
