Minutes of the
Akron Town Council
Public Hearing and
Council Meeting
March 21, 2006
At 7:00 pm
Present: Phil Allen, Council President; Crystal Weida, Council Member; Jill Runkle, Clerk-Treasurer; Tim Fleck, Marshal; Marty Gearhart, Superintendent; Mark Sullivan, Commonwealth Engineers; Shannon McLeod, Priority Project Resources. Several residents and patrons.
The Public Hearing on the proposed Sewer Expansion Project was opened at 7:00 pm. Phil turned the floor over to Shannon McLeod, who explained the project to the residents present.
a. Total project costs is estimated at $830,000.00
b. The town is applying for a $500,000.00 grant from the Office of Rural Affairs.
c. The town will borrow the remaining $330,00.00
Mark Sullivan then explained the homes south on State Road 19 will be supplied by grinder pumps. We need to know from the home owners where they would like the pump located but we would require an easement. The cost out of pocket would be the connection to the grinder pump from their home. The cost of pipe was estimated at $12.00 a foot, however do to Hurricane Katrina, it may be 30-40% higher, approximately $16.00 a foot. Also septic tanks may need to be filled in depending on the requirements of Fulton County. There would be no connection fee if they hook up at the time of construction.
In Saner Addition, all homes will be gravity sewers. Grinder pumps will be required at 6 homes on the west side of State Road 14. Mark told the residents not to panic if their home is slated for a grinder pump as it will be the town’s responsibility to maintain them.
Mark explained what the grinder pump lid would look like and would include a control panel that needs to be in the line of site of the grinder pump but could be located where they want it.
Merl Tinkey asked where would the line run in Saner. It will be located between the back to back houses. The farmer who owns property east of Saner Addition would not grant an easement though his field so we may now run it down Saner Drive. All septic tanks are in the rear of the homes. The quest was asked, do we need to run pipe completely around the house to connect? Mark said yes.
Phil said if we can obtain easements to the back yards, we could avoid running pipe completely around the houses.Mark assured the residents that a video would be made of their properties before construction begins and everything will be restored to the original condition after construction.
The existing easement is 10 foot.
Dave Leininger said that his experience with obtaining easements is that they cost money. Mark said that is correct, however if costs are incurred, it will be turned back into the total cost of the project. We would like for the easements to be donated to help keep the cost down as well as benefit the good of the group.
Dave Ellenwood asked if this is mandatory that we do this project. Mark said no. Jill explained that at some point through out the years various residents have approached the town about putting in sewer in Saner Addition which is usually when their septic system is failing. We are trying to be proactive by implementing this before the state does mandate it.
Ellenwood feels that we need to address the storm water situation first. Phil explained that we are working with the County Drainage Board to address this problem as well.
Phil also explained that we are trying to do this project now as grant money is available.
Betty Wildermuth asked about running the sewer down Saner Drive. Mark answered that if it runs down the back of her property as well, she would have a choice as to where to hook up.
Leininger asked about buildings and tress throughout the easement. Who moves the building or replaces the trees? Mark said it depended on if the building was permanent or if it could be moved. Trees may be damaged, however, theoretically, you would be compensated if it was in a permanent easement only. For a temporary easement, the tree cannot be moved. The contractor will work around it. Temporary buildings and can be moved back over the easement but a permanent structure cannot be built over the easement. We will try not to place an easement under a permanent building. The contractor will move a temporary building and slide it back in place upon completion of the project.
Ellenwood asked if storm water could be sent to the sewer. No as the sewer system is not adequate to handle it. No clear water can be directed to the sewer such as roof run-off or from a sump pump.
Merl Tinkey asked if it could go to the old septic tank. Mark said yes, provided that the county does not require that the tank be filled in.In answer to the question about directional drilling under Saner Drive, Mark said that would be done on State Road 19 south. Saner Drive will be an open cut.
Jim Morgan said that his water bill is $20.00 now. By jumping to $70.00 – he does not see where he is benefiting from this. His septic system is 30 years old and he has had no problems.
Leininger asked if the septic would have to be broken down or filled in. We do not know what the requirements are for Fulton County.
Ellenwood asked about the cost and if they would have one year to hook on to the sewer. Mark said that they would pay a sewer bill as soon as the sewer is available. Also three to six months is the average time frame for someone to hook up to the sewer depending on the weather.
The question was asked, “Will Saner Drive be torn up?” Yes. It cannot be placed in the existing easement because the state requires a 10 foot separation between water and sewer lines.
If the sewer line is run on the west side of the street, we will not need to go onto property lines of the homeowners. The location of existing utility lines will mandate where we put these lines.
Footage of 15 feet between the back to back houses will be needed along the eastern line for an easement.
Milo Shriver asked if the grinder pumps would have electricity running to them. Typically the power is run in the trench to the pump from a neighboring power pole. The pumps have floats and sensors which mandates when to kick on and off.
Shannon explained the project estimate is $770,000.00 to construct. The rough break down is as follows: $130,465.00 for State Road 19
$72,450.00 for State Road 14
$566,214.00 for Saner Addition
We are applying for a $500,000.00 grant through the Office of Rural Affairs. The town will need to raise $270,000.00. If the grant is not approved we may be forced to raise the sewer bills $10.00 per household across town.
4,000 gallons is the usage that ORA uses for an average for their grants. The cost of sewer for 4,000 gallons is $41.92 per month. Water charges would be in addition to that fee. We are applying for the grant to avoid having to raise these rates.
If we don’t get the grant this round, we will apply again to try to offset the cost of this.Attendance here at this public hearing will help with the grant application. Also letters of support and letters explaining why the project is needed would be beneficial. Shannon also explained that the town is trying to be proactive and apply for the grant while the money is available.
The question of cost savings was brought up. Would it be cheaper to run the line down Saner Drive? No it will cost more because of repaving the street.
Shriver asked why we didn’t let the county take care of the people on State Road 19 since they are not in the city limits. Shannon answered that there is no regional or county sewer district in Fulton County. Marty also said that they are our water customers and 4 of them have received letters from the health department that their systems are failing.
The Public Hearing adjourned at 8:05 pm.
The Town Council meeting was opened at 8:15 by President Phil Allen.
Minutes of the December 15, 2005 and February 21, 2006 meeting were approved by consensus.
John Gagnon asked if the town is still willing to donate $1,000.00 to the firemen for fireworks for the 4th of July. Yes as it is in the budget. John asked if the insurance policy we have will cover both days of the 4th celebration. Jill will check into this and let him know.
Sidewalk Ordinance – tabled.
Ordinance 2-21-2006 to update the code book – Phil read the 3rd reading of Ordinance 2-21-2006. A motion to approve was made by Crystal and seconded by Terry. 3 ayes.
Peddler’s Permit – tabled.
A contract with Commonwealth Engineers from Mark Sullivan was presented to write an application for the Park Board for a Department of Natural Resources grant. The council discussed this and would like to see the Park Board raise the funds to pay for Mark’s services. Greg reviewed the contract and Mark explained his proposal. The council tabled this until Phil can meet with the Park Board. The council feels they need to have the money in place before it can be approved.
Tree Ordinance – The ordinance needs to be reviewed by Greg, however as a tree fell during a recent storm, Phil asked if it is our liability as it hit and damaged a resident’s house. Greg said that since it was a street tree it is our liability and should be turned into our insurance.Spring Clean Up was set for May 5, 2006. Phil said that Hazardous Waste Day at Rochester Solid Waste District is May 27, 2006.
Community Wide Garage Sale date was set for April 29, 2006.
Marty’s Report:
We are waiting on a pole from Cinergy for the weather sirens. As soon as it is delivered, we will mount the sirens and Cinergy will set the pole.
Tim’s Report:
His department will be getting a tazer gun through LLC and will not cost the town anything. He has talked to the owner of the trailer park and he is beginning to clean it up. He will send a letter out to the other residents in town regarding trash on their properties.
The engine in the 2003 Trailblazer needs to be repaired or replaced. The estimated cost to repair it is at least $3,800.00. To replace the engine is $5,350.00 which includes a 3 year, 50,000 mile warranty. Tim recommends replacing the engine and keeping the truck longer than we normally would. A motion to replace the engine was made by Crystal and seconded by Phil. 2 ayes.
The number of dogs in town is down.
Wen Building – Greg is drafting up an agreement for FEDCO to authorized having the building cleaned up and secured tomorrow. He is working on getting a clear title as the liens against the property should be wiped out. Tim is ready to write tickets and Greg said the meeting on this was yesterday.
Tim asked, who is the legal owner of the building? Greg said that if it goes through 2 tax sales the county can take ownership of it however the commissioners have not done this. However, at this point, there is something in the works to sell it to a private owner. They are expecting transfer of ownership before 60-90 days. Tim thinks it should be sooner. Greg feels that his oral reports to Tim and the council should suffice as a response from the commissioners.