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Steve Ranson/LVN photo
A proposed county sewer line that has caused concern for nearby residents will hook up tenants of the Oasis Mobile Home Park on Bottom Road.
Numerous residents living on Alcorn Road confronted the Churchill County Commissioners on Thursday regarding a demanding and defensive letter telling them they would have to pay $10,000 to hook up to the Oasis sewer line being installed this month.
If they didn't, they would have to pay $10,000 and an additional $15,000 when their septic tanks fail.
Having never heard of a public meeting and having no previous knowledge of the project impacting them, residents were furious to receive a threatening letter demanding an extravagant payment.
“This meeting should have taken place six months ago, so everyone on Alcorn Road could have voiced their opinion for or against,” said resident Art Daniels. “You work for us. We don't work for you. You should have a little bit of consideration for the people you serve.”
The Oasis sewer line is a grant-funded project to connect the Oasis Mobile Home Park to the county system, said County Manager Brad Goetsch. The government offered a grant because old wells and septic tanks cluttered together can cause nitrate plumes, which Goetsch said is a problem throughout the county but with little funds to fix.
Misha Stojicevic, engineering and capital projects manager, added there are risks for E. coli getting into shallow wells from nearby septic tanks from either leaking or flooding.
Residents expressed concern regarding property values, future requirements and any other information not presented in the letter.
“I felt tricked,” said resident Dan Corcoran. “I feel this sewer line has been kept secret from the residents of Alcorn Road until the last minute, so it can be rammed through.”
Goetsch confirmed residents were notified at the last minute, not because of an intent to deceive but because the grant required the project to begin within a short time frame. Stojicevic said it needs to begin no later than Feb. 17.
Goetsch said the residents shouldn't be forced to hook up to the sewer line, but there are state laws that may require residents to connect if their septic fails. Commissioner Norm Frey said the policies were created during an economically prosperous time and for different reasons, so the commissioners need to look at everything and determine if there is any leeway.
“No water and sewer will be forced on any resident,” Goetsch said. “Our motivation isn't to force you to hook up.”
Goetsch also apologized for the letter and its tone, which the commissioners said they didn't know about.
“You got a letter written by an engineer, and that's probably my fault for not intercepting it,” Goetsch said.
Goetsch said he lives nearby and may also be affected, but he couldn't imagine having to produce $10,000 during this recession.
Commissioners agreed to set up a public workshop to inform residents, answer questions and determine a reasonable solution.
“Thank you for coming and bringing these things to our attention,” Frey said. “We're not privy to everything that goes out to this county, so when you bring this to our attention, yeah, we're going to listen.”
The public workshop will be at 6 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the County Administration building, 155 N. Taylor St., 423-4092.
If they didn't, they would have to pay $10,000 and an additional $15,000 when their septic tanks fail.
Having never heard of a public meeting and having no previous knowledge of the project impacting them, residents were furious to receive a threatening letter demanding an extravagant payment.
“This meeting should have taken place six months ago, so everyone on Alcorn Road could have voiced their opinion for or against,” said resident Art Daniels. “You work for us. We don't work for you. You should have a little bit of consideration for the people you serve.”
The Oasis sewer line is a grant-funded project to connect the Oasis Mobile Home Park to the county system, said County Manager Brad Goetsch. The government offered a grant because old wells and septic tanks cluttered together can cause nitrate plumes, which Goetsch said is a problem throughout the county but with little funds to fix.
Misha Stojicevic, engineering and capital projects manager, added there are risks for E. coli getting into shallow wells from nearby septic tanks from either leaking or flooding.
Residents expressed concern regarding property values, future requirements and any other information not presented in the letter.
“I felt tricked,” said resident Dan Corcoran. “I feel this sewer line has been kept secret from the residents of Alcorn Road until the last minute, so it can be rammed through.”
Goetsch confirmed residents were notified at the last minute, not because of an intent to deceive but because the grant required the project to begin within a short time frame. Stojicevic said it needs to begin no later than Feb. 17.
Goetsch said the residents shouldn't be forced to hook up to the sewer line, but there are state laws that may require residents to connect if their septic fails. Commissioner Norm Frey said the policies were created during an economically prosperous time and for different reasons, so the commissioners need to look at everything and determine if there is any leeway.
“No water and sewer will be forced on any resident,” Goetsch said. “Our motivation isn't to force you to hook up.”
Goetsch also apologized for the letter and its tone, which the commissioners said they didn't know about.
“You got a letter written by an engineer, and that's probably my fault for not intercepting it,” Goetsch said.
Goetsch said he lives nearby and may also be affected, but he couldn't imagine having to produce $10,000 during this recession.
Commissioners agreed to set up a public workshop to inform residents, answer questions and determine a reasonable solution.
“Thank you for coming and bringing these things to our attention,” Frey said. “We're not privy to everything that goes out to this county, so when you bring this to our attention, yeah, we're going to listen.”
The public workshop will be at 6 p.m. on Feb. 18 at the County Administration building, 155 N. Taylor St., 423-4092.
