Syracuse Councilmen Critical of WACF over Oakwood Opposition
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Sewer systems in the newly annexed region are “running on borrowed time,” Syracuse councilmen heard from Public Works Superintendent Jeremy Sponseller, and he said the $11,000 they approved that night for pipe replacement are just the tip of the iceberg.
An infusion of $600,000 is needed for a full system overhaul – and they feel the conservancy foundation is holding that money up, further endangering the lake.
“I understand that everyone loves to hug a tree,” Councilman Brian Woody remarked, “but we're leeching sewage into the lake from broken pipes.”
“As we speak,” added council President Larry Siegel.
And it's only going to get worse in spring, he and others noted.
Reading from a prepared statement, Siegel said he considers it ironic that WACF is “the only thing standing in the way of this sanitary sewer/lake water quality improvement project.” He also asked why WACF indicates on its Web site (wacf.com) that it is still remonstrating against a proposed dredging of 827 feet of shoreline along Lake Wawasee.
“As recent as today, a representative of Buckingham Co. told me that the dredging of lake front will not occur,” he read. He said the only planned dredging at this point is in a channel next to the hotel, which WACF does not oppose.
WACF is aware of the change in dredging plans and will update its site, Executive Director Heather Harwood said by phone this morning. But the number of piers Buckingham wants to install remains a sticking point, and her organization still plans to file an appeal.
She said the number of group piers requested violates town and county funneling laws, and that WACF wouldn’t oppose a number of slips that complied.
“It’s pretty much that easy,” she said. “It’s a sensitive area of the lake, (and) responsible lake stewardship is our mission.”
WACF maintains that 90 should be the maximum number of slips. Siegel said the permit granted by Indiana Department of Natural Resources allows for 190 slips, and required no variance from the law.
Buckingham has “conceded to all viable concerns,” he continued Tuesday. “The WACF appeal process will likely last beyond the receivership’s financial ability and Buckingham’s ability to wait before emphasizing and moving on to other projects.”
Gone with Buckingham would be its half of the $600,000 planned for sewer repairs, to be matched by Oakwood area residents. And with no owner, electricity at the inn – which powers the nearby lift station – would also be shut off, Siegel said, “essentially closing down the Oakwood Park sewer system.”
Woody asked at the meeting if WACF would be “willing to pony up” the $300,000, while Town Manager Henry DeJulia observed that they wouldn’t have pursued annexation of Oakwood if they weren’t sure money would be there for infrastructure repairs.
“Right now, they’ve thrown a monkey wrench into the works,” DeJulia remarked. He also faulted WACF with having “tunnel vision” and not seeing what the town sees in Oakwood, such as potential new jobs.
Woody told DeJulia to contact WACF and have a representative speak with council at the next meeting. He also asked Sponseller to get quotes on electrical repairs to the main Oakwood lift station.
Council then approved $10,975 for Cripe Excavating to replace piping around the lift station, with Siegel voting against it.
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Sewer systems in the newly annexed region are “running on borrowed time,” Syracuse councilmen heard from Public Works Superintendent Jeremy Sponseller, and he said the $11,000 they approved that night for pipe replacement are just the tip of the iceberg.
An infusion of $600,000 is needed for a full system overhaul – and they feel the conservancy foundation is holding that money up, further endangering the lake.
“I understand that everyone loves to hug a tree,” Councilman Brian Woody remarked, “but we're leeching sewage into the lake from broken pipes.”
“As we speak,” added council President Larry Siegel.
And it's only going to get worse in spring, he and others noted.
Reading from a prepared statement, Siegel said he considers it ironic that WACF is “the only thing standing in the way of this sanitary sewer/lake water quality improvement project.” He also asked why WACF indicates on its Web site (wacf.com) that it is still remonstrating against a proposed dredging of 827 feet of shoreline along Lake Wawasee.
“As recent as today, a representative of Buckingham Co. told me that the dredging of lake front will not occur,” he read. He said the only planned dredging at this point is in a channel next to the hotel, which WACF does not oppose.
WACF is aware of the change in dredging plans and will update its site, Executive Director Heather Harwood said by phone this morning. But the number of piers Buckingham wants to install remains a sticking point, and her organization still plans to file an appeal.
She said the number of group piers requested violates town and county funneling laws, and that WACF wouldn’t oppose a number of slips that complied.
“It’s pretty much that easy,” she said. “It’s a sensitive area of the lake, (and) responsible lake stewardship is our mission.”
WACF maintains that 90 should be the maximum number of slips. Siegel said the permit granted by Indiana Department of Natural Resources allows for 190 slips, and required no variance from the law.
Buckingham has “conceded to all viable concerns,” he continued Tuesday. “The WACF appeal process will likely last beyond the receivership’s financial ability and Buckingham’s ability to wait before emphasizing and moving on to other projects.”
Gone with Buckingham would be its half of the $600,000 planned for sewer repairs, to be matched by Oakwood area residents. And with no owner, electricity at the inn – which powers the nearby lift station – would also be shut off, Siegel said, “essentially closing down the Oakwood Park sewer system.”
Woody asked at the meeting if WACF would be “willing to pony up” the $300,000, while Town Manager Henry DeJulia observed that they wouldn’t have pursued annexation of Oakwood if they weren’t sure money would be there for infrastructure repairs.
“Right now, they’ve thrown a monkey wrench into the works,” DeJulia remarked. He also faulted WACF with having “tunnel vision” and not seeing what the town sees in Oakwood, such as potential new jobs.
Woody told DeJulia to contact WACF and have a representative speak with council at the next meeting. He also asked Sponseller to get quotes on electrical repairs to the main Oakwood lift station.
Council then approved $10,975 for Cripe Excavating to replace piping around the lift station, with Siegel voting against it.
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