IDEM Holds Hearing On Tippy, Chapman Sewer District
IDEM Holds Hearing On Tippy, Chapman Sewer District
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Deb McAuliffe Sprong-
IDEM Holds Hearing On Tippy, Chapman Sewer DistrictNORTH WEBSTER – More than 250 people packed the North Webster Community Center gym Wednesday night for a hearing on whether a sewer system is needed on Tippecanoe and Chapman lakes.
Angela Bottom, Office of Water Quality at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, was hearing officer for the evening. She asked the crowd to limit their statements to evidence and facts, and said no responses would be made Wednesday.
Everyone who wished to comment on the proposed Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District was asked to fill out a card with their name before the hearing, then they were called to microphones one by one to speak.
“How do we stop this? asked Laura Hawkins. “Those of us on Chapman Lake feel like this is being shoved down our throats by Tippe.”
Bottom reminded the crowd that questions would not be answered, but others shared Hawkins’ concerns.
“I’ve been to the local health department,” said Carol Edwards. “Our water is good at Chapman, our septics are working fine.”
Edward said her property is outside the proposed boundary but she’s afraid it will get “sucked in.” She cited a proposed $40 million cost for the project, which would result in a $100 monthly fee for residents within the district. She said she’s talked to a lot of people on the lake, mostly older. “Their homes, their view of the lake is all they have left in life,” she said. “No one is listening to them.”
Ron Moser of Tippecanoe Lake says he agrees that sewers are needed in some areas, but said his septic system “works perfectly,” and suggested giving people the option of the sewer system if they need it.
“I never thought I’d be in the situation where someone would force me to do something, especially if you don’t need it,” said Moser, who said he spent 30 years in the military.
He also spoke of neighbors on a restricted income who couldn’t afford a high monthly sewer bill. “Some of those people might have to sell their homes,” he said.
The only ones who would benefit are Realtors, said Harry Kouts. “They’ll be able to put in postage-size lots and sell them,” adding that 192 people signed a petition against the project.
Many in the crowd, however, spoke in its support for economic and environmental reasons.
Steve Snider of the IU Charitable Foundation spoke of a property on Oswego Lake donated to the foundation. The property has four lots and is “very valuable,” he said, but it isn’t suitable for septic systems. Without a sanitary sewer, the lot can’t be developed. A sanitary sewer “will ultimately benefit all properties on the lake,” he said.
Scott Drake, who said he spent $22,000 on a septic system, believes the project would keep smaller lots from losing value. He said everyone in the county benefits from the money spent by people who vacation in the area, and the sewer project is about “preserving what we have for future growth.”
“We are blessed to live in an area like this,” said Ted Burnworth of Tippecanoe Lake. “We need to be good stewards of our natural resources.” With the ever-growing population, taking waste to where it can be treated would save watersheds and ensure the quality of the water.
Mark Ennis of James Lake on Little Tippe said recent rains reinforce the need for sewers, and he’s been waiting for 25 years.
Jim Sigfried of Tippecanoe Lake said he’s observed a large number of septic systems where the tanks and leaching fields are below the water level and so are polluting the lake.
“The time is now, before it gets more expensive,” said John Fraley, who lives on Tippecanoe Lake. He said the idea keeps coming up because it’s necessary. He said he moved to the lake six years ago and spent an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 on a septic system, but he’s willing to give that up “because it’s the right thing to do.”
Other statements came from people who are here only part of the year.
Bill Sunday of Tippecanoe Lake spoke of the many mobile home parks that contain seasonal homes. He said people have a problem with paying “when we’re not there and the water is shut off.”
Jerry Beck said waste disposal “needs to be modernized for 21st century requirements.” He wondered if a co-op model like REMC could be considered, with an agreement between property owners and the sewer district. He wondered whose responsibility it would be if the equipment doesn’t hold up, and he suggested a tier system, with cost levels for current property owners and for new owners and new construction.
Rich Wade of Armstrong Road injected a moment of levity into the hearing. “I have no lake access, no septic issues, but if I have to be on (the system), I believe I should have access to the lake,” he said, drawing laughs.
Bottom said that all oral and written statements will be considered in IDEM’s decision whether to establish the Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District.
IDEM will accept comments on the petition to establish the sewer district through July 26 care of Angela Bottom, Office of Water Quality, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, 100 N. Senate Ave., IGCN-1225, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
A complete transcript of Wednesday’s hearing will be available for the cost of copies via Bottom’s IDEM office.
