Ortonville- The village council has taken various steps in support of a wastewater treatment system during the past few years.
On Monday, they took another by approving 4-2 a resolution supporting a Downtown Development Authority resolution supporting the sanitary sewer project, as well as educational efforts of the Livable Legacy of Ortonville, a pro-sewer campaign seeking to inform village residents prior to a Nov. 3 vote on the issue. Council President Wayne Wills was joined in a yes vote on the resolution by councilmembers Debbie Baker, Tonja Brice and Liz Waters. Councilmembers Courtney McClerren and Coleen Skornicka voted no. Dan Eschmann was absent.
‘This council has supported every effort to obtain a sewer system,? said Village Manager John Lyons, citing the purchase of property on Narrin Street for a wastewater treatment plant, as well as previous approval of an engineered review and plan, as well as applications for DEQ permits and bonding through Oakland County. ‘The council has publicly supported and approved every motion to get us to a vote. Livable Legacy of Ortonville and the DDA wanted us to sup-port this (resolution) to let them know we are on board.?
Lyons was defending the resolution after village residents Glynnis Hubbard, Laura Douglas, and Karen Sleva questioned earlier in the Aug. 24 meeting why the village council was taking sides on an issue that will soon be up for a vote.
‘I expect the village council to be impartial and not take sides, especially when there is a vote on the table,? said Hubbard.
‘Individually, it’s fine, but the council represents all of us,? said Douglas. ‘I don’t feel it’s right that you back any (campaign) such as Livable Legacy.?
‘The resolution is in support of the educational process,? said Village Council President Wayne Wills, who proceeded to read the resolution from the DDA, which noted the various steps the village has taken, toward a sanitary sewer system, including engaging the engineering firm’s services, publication of a master plan with sewers, and voting to allow village residents to vote on whether to allow Oakland County to be the bond agent for the sanitary sewer project.
The resolution also notes the Oakland County Health Division has indicated the environmental quality of the designated trout stream, Kearsley Creek, degrades as it moves through the Village of Ortonville and the Livable Legacy of Ortonville has formed ‘to provide accurate information about the proposed sanitary sewer system and forums from which resident can receive more information from experts on this project.?
In conclusion, the DDA resolution ‘conveys its support of the Village of Ortonville sponsored sanitary sewer project to address known environmental concerns with Kearsley Creek and economic development concerns within the downtown and residential areas of the village. In addition, the Ortonville Downtown Development Authority supports the educational efforts fo the Livable Legacy of Ortonville. Further, the Ortonville Downtown Development Authority supports the Village of Ortonville’s pursuit of Oakland County as the bond issuer for the sanitary sewer project.?
Sleva said she was concerned the council wasn’t getting facts out from both sides, particularly regarding necessity of the sewers or apportionment.
Economic development, environmental health, and the high cost of engineered septic fields to replace failing ones are the most-often cited reasons for bringing sewers to the village. The issue has been debated for decades while costs rise.
In December, the council passed a resolution requesting assistance from the county in preparation of a contract to provide for acquisition, construction, and financing of sewage disposal system improvements to serve village residents. Then in a Feb. 18 study session, Oakland County Water Resources Commission officials revealed the cost estimate of a proposed sewer system would be roughly $20 million.
Five days later, approximately 300 residents turned out for the village council’s Feb. 23 meeting, dozens of whom voiced their opposition to the proposed sewer system and demanded a vote on the issue, and the village council agreed. Voters will go to the polls Nov. 3 to cast their ballots.
If approved, the village would seek a 40-year Rural Development Loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay for the project, which would put a special assessment of about $25,550 on each residential equivalency unit in the village limits. The average tax bill over 40 years (including interest) would be $1,200 annually. A payment schedule provided by Bendzinski Financial Advisers to Oakland County shows principal payments consistently at $638.75 annually for the 40 years. However, the interest payments (at 4.5 percent on the schedule) would be sliding, with the first interest payment at $1,121.01, for a total special assessment in 2017 of $1,759.76 for each residence, and decreasing from there annually until the final payment in 2055 of $667.49 (interest and principal). In all, a village resident paying the special assessment for 40 years, including interest, would pay $47,970.13.
Livable Legacy of Ortonville has had two focus groups to answer questions regarding the proposed wastewater treatment system. A third and final focus group will meet from 4:30 p.m-6:30 p.m., Sept. 9, at the Edna Burton Senior Center, 345 Ball St. For more information, call Linda Davis-Kirksey at 248-608-8141 or email daviskirksey@gmail.com.