Sanitary district an option (6/7/05)

The solution to a problem with failing septic systems southwest of Portland may eventually involve a much larger area.

Milo Miller Jr., president of Jay County Commissioners, confirmed Monday that he and fellow Commissioners Faron Parr and Gary Theurer are exploring their options in forming a Jay County Sanitary District.

That district, which would be governed by an appointed or elected board, would have the power to find solutions to sewage problems in unincorporated areas and levy fees for sanitary systems.

In 2004, an inspector from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management observed what appeared to be raw sewage flowing from a tile into a ditch near Foxfire Addition, which is located on county road 125 West, south of Sheffer Acres West.

Miller, who said Monday he plans to talk with other county officials across the state to see how they have proceeded with the formation of sanitary districts, said that many other houses in the general vicinity of Foxfire — and across the county — are part of the problem.

“There’s more polluters than just Foxfire,” Miller said. “I need somebody to come in and explain to me what needs to be done.”

One of the initial options discussed was connecting the Foxfire area to Portland’s sewer system. The commissioners said Monday that an engineering firm hired by residents of the area had developed plans and cost estimates for connecting to the city sewage system at Sheffer West.

Details of the plan have not been released publicly.

Also Monday, the commissioners:

•Learned that the county’s experimental program to apply a calcium chloride dust control product to approximately 100 miles of stone roads is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

The application is being done by a firm contracted by the county. The commissioners are requesting an additional appropriation of $100,000 from the infrastructure fund to help pay for the program, which is expected to have a total cost of about $150,000, county highway superintendent Ken Wellman said this morning.

•Held a preliminary hearing for an applicant for the county’s septic system loan program. Since the program was approved several years ago there have been several applicants, but most have withdrawn after learning repayment carried an interest rate of 10 percent.

The hearing was held Monday for Mary and Dale Schutz Jr., 5987 West 800 South, Portland.

The commissioners will request three estimates from contractors for the project, which carries an engineer’s estimate of approximately $9,400.

The loan will be billed through property taxes over a 10-year period at the 10 percent interest rate.

•Learned that a small leak has developed in a wall in the offices of Jay Superior Court on the southwest side of the third floor of the courthouse.

Local masonry contractor Dan Wellman has been contacted and will give an estimate on making repairs to exterior masonry that is the source of the leak.

•Discussed 2006 budget requests with officials from Arts Place and John Jay Center for Learning. Arts Place is requesting $13,000 for its Arts in the Parks budget, up from $12,250 this year, while John Jay Center for Learning is asking for $25,000 — the same amount it received this year.

•Heard rural Portland resident Dennis Franks say he did not believe the commissioners should move forward with the purchase of a vacant building north of the courthouse. The commissioners have said they would demolish the building and use the lot for parking.

“I didn’t have any problem parking around the courthouse,” Franks said.[[In-content Ad]]