Ortonville- Officials are prepared to proceed with condemnation action against one home in the village and Village Manager Ed Coy warns there will be more homes condemned if there aren’t sewers in the future.
He notes that in addition to the condemned home, another home has raw sewage in the drinking water from a failed septic system.
‘As far as I’m concerned, it’s not an option to not have sewers,? says Coy. ‘I think the village will die. Property values will plummet. The downtown area will be a ghost town within 10-15 years, with homes being condemned and businesses unable to operate in the village.?
At the March 26 village council meeting, one resident suggested a straw poll be done of village residents, similar to one the township recently sent to 1,195 residents and businesses along the M-15 corridor and around Bald Eagle Lake and Lake Louise, asking if they were interested in sewers. 661 postcards, or 55.3 percent, were returned, with 416 ‘no? votes (58.8 percent), compared to 245 ‘yes? votes (42.2 percent).
The results of the poll will be discussed at the township board meeting, 7:30 p.m., April 2, at the township offices, 395 Mill St.
Coy said he is not in favor of such a poll, rather, he believes there should be an education process about sewers in the village. The council may have an informational meeting in the future.
Village officials are interested in real estate for a waste water treatment plant, particularly in land the township purchased last year on M-15. Coy says a land deal is what is delaying the village in a move toward sewers.
‘We need to tie up a piece of real estate so we can apply for a discharge permit and the DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) can tell us (requirements) and how much it will cost,? he said.
George Miller, manager for the Oakland County Health Division, strongly recommends sewers for the village based on growth.
‘It’s the best long-term solution for a growing community,? he said. ‘Septic systems are not meant to last forever. Residents would have to go to engineered systems (when current septic systems fail), which are, in the long-term, more expensive than sewers. For maintaining public health, sewer systems are by far a healthier way to go.?