LEESBURG - Nearly 100 people filled the Leesburg Lions Building Wednesday night for a public hearing on the sewer project facilities plan.

Town council president Bob Cleveland said that sewers have been something Leesburg has talked about as far back as the 1970s, so the council decided to find out the cost, feasibility and other factors concerning such a project. "But this study does not mean that tomorrow we're going to put in sewers," he said.

Joe Tierney, an engineer from Bonar Group of Indianapolis, said the town must have a facilities plan to qualify for a low-interest loan to help with the cost of the sewer project.

Tierney said a sewer system would have a positive environmental impact because it would eliminate failing septic systems. The project would also enable businesses to open in town, something that can't happen now because of Indiana Department of Environmental Management requirements for septic systems.

He said estimated cost of the project would be $2.77 million. Residents would pay a $2,000 connection fee to lower the town's debt; this would reduce the monthly user fee to $66. Residents would also be responsible for hooking on to the sewer and abandoning their septic systems, which would cost $1,500-$2,000.

If the town can get $500,000 in Build Indiana Funds to help with the project cost, the monthly user fee would drop to $57. The town would need a grant of $2 million to bring costs down to $33 a month.

The floor was open for comments and questions from the public following Tierney's explanation of the project.

Terry Reeves said he recently put in a septic system for $3,000. With $4,000 up front and $850 a year in user fees, "over 20 years I could put in seven septic systems for the same cost," he said.

Cleveland agreed. "I don't see the benefit to homeowners, because I know it's not cheap. My concern is for the downtown and for the school," he said.

Tom Moore wanted to know about the cost of a plant versus pumping sewage to Warsaw. Tierney said the numbers weren't included in the study, but it would still be costly. Warsaw's treatment plant is at capacity, and even if Warsaw were willing to expand, Leesburg "would be at the mercy of what Warsaw wants to charge you," Tierney said.

John Snyder asked Tierney to explain the $66 user fee. Tierney said operation and maintenance of the sewer plant accounts for about $30 of the monthly user fee; the remainder is the cost to pay back the loan for the project.

"I don't think there's a lot of people in town that want to pay $66 a month," Snyder responded.

Councilman Steve Rodgers agreed. "I feel anything over a dollar a day is too much," he said.

Ted Carter wondered how the town would determine the level of urgency of the project. Cleveland said there has been at least one incident of contaminated well water in the town.

Carter also expressed concern about the town's brick streets. Tierney said the sewer lines would go in the alleys behind homes when possible; when the lines had to cross a brick street, they would "bore under and leave the brick streets alone."

Jeff Hoffard wanted to know how the project would affect the two churches in town, the school and service organizations.

Cleveland said this was a "tremendous concern" of the council. He said Leesburg Grace Brethren Church, where Hoffard is pastor, would have a $10,000 hookup fee and have to pay $300 a month in user fees. Leesburg Elementary would face a $78,000 hookup fee and a monthly fee of $2,574.

"This is obviously unacceptable ... we cannot afford to charge the churches and schools that much money," Cleveland said.

After reviewing the county sewer history and explaining IDEM standards, Jon Cupp of the Kosciusko County Board of Health said that, because of IDEM requirements, "the downtown is in trouble" if a septic system goes bad.

One resident asked if a project could be considered just for the downtown. Rodgers said that is an option the council hasn't laid aside yet.

Leo Richey expressed concern about the cost. Richey said he is on disability and has a "very modest" retirement income. "Sixty-six dollars a month will be one heck of a problem," he said.

One man asked about hookup for multi-family dwellings. Cleveland said a duplex would have to pay two hookup fees and two user fees.

Another man wondered how the economic development income tax would affect the project. Financial consultant John Julian of Umbaugh & Associates said that since funding would come from a larger pool of people, it would help with the cost. The result would be a lower monthly sewer bill, but the resident would have an additional tax to pay.

Cleveland said Leesburg would receive about $33,000 a year from EDIT, and the council did support it the last time it came up for a vote.

The comment period for the facilities plan is open for 10 days. Residents with additional comments may send them to Tierney at Bonar Group, 3021 E. 98th St., Suite 110, Indianapolis, IN 46280.

Tierney said a transcript of the hearing and all additional comments will be sent with the facilities plan to IDEM, who will review and approve the plan based on its technical merit. After that, it is up to the town council whether to proceed with the sewer project.

IDEM will need four to six months to review and approve the plan, he said. [[In-content Ad]]