Ortonville- At the last village council meeting, a vote was postponed on a resolution that would pave the way for answering the question of whether residents want to bring sewers here.
The tabling of the resolution was agreed upon by members of the council who wanted questions answered about funding of the wastewater treatment system.
This Monday, March 23, Village Manager John Lyons will bring the resolution back to the council at a meeting set for 7 p.m. at the Brandon High School Performing Arts Center, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. He is hoping the council’s questions have been answered and misinformation passed around the village has been dispelled so both residents and elected officials have a clear understanding of what is at stake.
‘It’s important that people have all the facts to make the proper decision,? said Lyons. ‘Although it is expensive, it is very important for the future of our village that we make the right decision. I believe for the future of the village’s economic vitality, it’s necessary to have the sewers.?
The resolution that Lyons is presenting to the council for approval allows the village to enter into a contract with Oakland County for the sale of bonds for establishment of a wastewater treatment system, but he stresses that a 45-day referendum period would follow, during which residents who want to see a vote on the issue can gather signatures of 10 percent of the registered voters in the village on a petition to place the matter on the ballot, likely in August or November.
In December, the village council requested the Oakland County Water Resources Commission draft a contract to provide for acquisition, construction, and financing of a sewage disposal system to serve village residents. In February, WRC officials presented a $20 million proposed low pressure collection system that requires individual grinder pumps and easements for each village property, the only option available due to the high water table in the village.
The project would be financed through a 40-year USDA Rural Development Loan, with a special assessment for village property owners. The construction cost per residency equivalent unit is $25,550 with the average tax bill over 40 years (including interest) $1,200 annually. In all, a village resident paying the special assessment for 40 years, including interest, would pay $47,970.13.
The high cost drew plenty of outraged residents to the last council meeting on Feb. 23, and council members tabled the resolution as they hoped to gather more information and seek clarification on other questions.
Lyons has posted answers to several questions regarding the sewage disposal system on the village’s website, www.ortonvillevillage.com, but on Tuesday, elaborated on some of those questions, as well as sought to correct misleading information being circulated.
One of the biggest misconceptions is a previous belief he also shared? that a homeowner would have to pay off the special assessment before selling their home.
‘Rural Development has changed their thought process,? Lyons said. ‘People thought when they sold their house, they would have to pay (the loan) off, but the buyer, seller and lender can negotiate that… Rural Development is no longer going to require that payment to be paid in full at time of sale.?
While residents will pay a maintenance fee of roughly $600 per year, that includes any future replacement of the grinder pump. While connection of the grinder pump to the interior of the home is the homeowner’s responsibility, this one-time fee should cost a few hundred dollars, not a rumored few thousand dollars.
‘If you want the grinder 100 feet from the house it will cost more, but if you do it where the pipe goes into the septic tank, it will be minimal, around $300,? Lyons said. ‘It’s their choice on placement of the grinder.?
Officials are looking at including the costs of all except the electrical in the contract (an electrical box hook-up is estimated at $400-$500), including abandonment of current septic systems, which the village may also have bid out for a lower price.
While residents will have easements on their property to allow access to grinder pumps and won’t be permitted to build anything on the easement, they do not lose that property.
Lighting for the treatment plant on Narrin Street will be minimal and in accordance with village ordinances. Noise will be minimal, Lyons said, and also in accordance with village ordinances.
‘Although an odor could be present at times, it will meet DEQ parameters,? Lyons continued. ‘It would be no more than your backyard smells when water raises out of your septic…The odor will be minimal, there will be times when the plant will smell, but the odor will not be the issue they think it will be. DEQ has parameters that reduce the emission of odor.?
The cost of removal of sludge from the wastewater treatment plant is included in operation and maintenance.
Discharge overflow and flooding is also controlled by the DEQ permitted discharge rate and will be accounted for in the design of the system. Generators will also be factored into the design cost, as Lyons notes that every treatment plant has a contingency plan for power failure.
There are no lift stations in the design, because as a low pressure system, the village wastewater treatment system won’t need any.
Lyons hopes the village council will approve the resolution so the process can be completed, one way or the other. If enough petition signatures are gathered during the referendum period, the issue will go to a vote. Lyons believes those opposed to the wastewater treatment plant are making their voices heard now, but he doesn’t believe they are the majority opinion.
‘The majority of people love this village and want it to continue and prosper,? said Lyons. ‘The sewer question will not stop. If what we currently are proposing failed in a vote, we would reduce the scope of the project and not include the subdivisions on the outer limits of the village. Rural Development wanted us to do the whole village. They will not loan us money again, we can’t add on at a later date. Anyone wanting to connect later wouldn’t get the 40-year financing and that is big.?