Representatives from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management took public comments in a hearing Wednesday evening on the proposed Marshall County Regional Sewer District.
Engineer Ken Jones from Jones Petrie and Rafinski previously explained that a Regional Sewer District is a form of government that functions solely to handle drinking water, solid waste or wastewater infrastructure needs. In Marshall County, the plan only includes wastewater.
In studies of 13 unincorporated areas of the county of main concern, Jones indicated that there was poor soil compatibility with on-site septic systems, there are over 1,000 on-site systems that are undocumented, there are shallow water wells within isolation zones of nearby septic systems, and there are no viable solutions for repair or replacement of individual systems that fail. The formation of a Regional Sewer District would help alleviate those problems.
Thirteen Priority Service Areas have been identified to be included in a Regional Sewer District which include, in order of priority, Latonka, Lawrence Lake and Mill Pond areas, followed by Bremen East; North Michigan area; Rushmoor Addition; Donaldson and Ancilla Domini Convent; McQueen’s Broadview; Golfview Estates; Deer Trail, Tall Oaks and Carriage Hills; South Michigan Street; Inwood; Burr Oak; Hawk Lake; and State Road 331 South Tippecanoe. Areas could be added, but the homeowner or entity would have to petition an appointed seven-member district board that will make all decisions concerning the Regional Sewer District.
Regional Sewer District Coordinator for the Office of Water Quality at IDEM Hearing Officer Angela Bottom explained to the filled meeting room in the Marshall County Building that the IDEM staff was simply taking comments and evidence on why the sewer district should or should not be formed. Specific evidence and solutions were requested. She indicated that it is not helpful to IDEM if comments are made favoring or not favoring the district unless they are accompanied by facts. Staff members would not respond to any comments.
Six people spoke on the matter. Jan Quivey signed up to speak and said he does not have an issue and wanted to present his side on whether or not there should be a sewer district, but his comments did not met the perimeters of the proceedings.
Julie Spitznagle opposed the district and commented that the lake areas may benefit with a district according to a Cardno study a few years ago, but she does not think it is needed anywhere else in the county. She commented that she read the petition which is available at the Plymouth Public Library, and found that it did not include the needs of this county to support a district.
Jay Stone who retired from the septic industry commented that there are limitations on options for installation.
Sheila Gardner said she supports the need for a district in the lakes areas, but was not interested in paying for a sewer district where she lives, which was not stated.
Larry Heet who lives in Carriage Hills said septic systems are easy to maintain and should last if properly maintained and was concerned about retirees paying for the potential additional costs for a sewer district.
Joshlyn Benko commented that she lives in Golf View Estates and believes that it would be a burden to have additional expenses associated with a sewer district.
Those wishing to submit written comments to IDEM can mail those to 100 N. Senate Avenue, Room 1255, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 until Wednesday, November 9.
