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Calls for Maple Hill sewers are less earnest
(by Joan Demirjian - November 17, 2010)
Calls for Maple Hill sewers are less earnest
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
South Russell Village Council members and Mayor Matt Brett met last week with residents of the Maple Hill subdivision to discuss sewers compared to septic systems.
Homes there are on septic systems. Since 2005, there has been talk of residents hooking up to sewers. New state regulations had been expected to make septic system installations and upgrades more expensive.
Mr. Brett said it is the village's role to help residents in determining a solution. They had asked for a meeting to discuss the status of the situation, he said. "Whatever way they want to go, we will support them. It's in their hands."
Maple Hill was platted in 1953, and the road was built in the early 1960s, has 41 houses. It is located off Bell Road, east of Chillicothe Road (Route 306), and was one of the earlier subdivisions in the village.
At the meeting Nov. 9, with about 20 residents attending, Bill Wendell, of the Geauga County Health District, presented information on the state legislation for septic systems. Legislation was passed in June.
Mr. Wendell presented some options for the septic systems that will be required, taking into account soil types, size and configuration of lots and those that are wooded.
Residents had good questions and comments pertaining to sewers and septic systems, Mr. Brett said.
What started the comparison of sewers vs. septic systems was state legislation to require new septic systems that could cost $30,000 to $40,000, Mr. Brett said.
The septic systems are generally older in Maple Hill and will require replacements at some point, officials said. Sewers in South Russell go as far east as Bellwood Drive and Lake View Lane.
State Sen. Timothy J. Grendell, R-Chester, worked on the legislation and was instrumental in getting regulations that will offer less-costly options, in the $15,000 to $30,000 range, Mr. Brett said.
He said, if residents want to continue with a sewer project, the village would ask them to present a petition to start the process.
Many people had voted for sewers in a previous village survey. However, with new information on septic systems, a number of residents who had favored sewers now are leaning toward septic systems, Mr. Brett said. "A number of people are saying they now want to reconsider."
There are mixed feelings, and it appears there are still some who want sewers and some who want to stay with septic systems, Mr. Brett said. "This is not an easy decision," he said.
"But it appears more want to stay with septic systems," he said.
"We want to support residents, so we'll take another look and ask for the petition," Mr. Brett said.
The Geauga County Department of Water Resources, which oversees sewers in the county, has put it on hold, because there is not as much support for sewers as there was, Mr. Brett said.
"We think the petition is the right way to go," he said. There is no homeowners association to take up the charge, Mr. Brett said.
The village will assist with information on the petition, but it should in no way be taken as the village wanting to help get sewers into Maple Hill, he said.
"A number of residents thanked us for the village's efforts in staying with this," Mr. Brett said.
"We'll wait for the residents, and we'll see what they want to do. We'll help in any way we can," Mr. Brett said.
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