Be Careful What You’re Flushing In Leesburg, Or It Might Cost You
May 14, 2019 at 1:41 a.m.
By Deb McAuliffe Sprong-
Council member Tom Moore said they were hoping to refinance the bond issue for the sewer project so they wouldn’t have to raise sewer rates. However, they had to forgo refinancing because the bonding agent said the sewer maintenance costs are too high and the rate would go up.
He said the town spent $30,702 in 2017 for parts and $5,002 in labor for maintenance/repairs to the sewer system.
Spending shot up to $57,447 for parts and $20,202 for labor in 2018.
“It appears a great percentage of this amount in parts is because of abuse of the system,” Moore said.
In short, people are flushing things they shouldn’t.
Moore said he realizes items such as wipes are marked “flushable” on their containers, but they are prohibited by town ordinance because they clog up the gears of the sewer system.
“The next step is going to be fines,” he said.
He said the bulk of the problem is in just a few places.
Moore mentioned colorful brochures he saw in a Fort Wayne hospital that said “no wipes in the pipes.”
The council voted to have similar brochures made and to post them at the school, churches, factory, businesses in town and send them to every landlord.
In addition, street commissioner Craig Charlton said he will begin sending a list with the monthly sewer bill of things that cannot be flushed.
“If we can get his under control, we won’t have to raise anybody’s rates,” said council President Christina Archer.
Also during the meeting, a resident raised concerns about chickens within the town limits. He said his wife has histoplasmosis, which is caused by breathing in spores from bird and bat droppings that float through the air.
Moore said that town ordinance states that any livestock, including fowls, cannot be kept within 200 feet of any residence. He said that practically eliminates any residence in town from having chickens because most lots are only 66 feet wide.
Charlton said he was aware of four families in town keeping chickens. They will be sent a warning letter and a copy of the town ordinance.
In other business:
* Residents with two trash totes will be billed an additional $10 per month from Advance Disposal for the second tote. Charlton said 15 residences have dual totes. He will send those residents Advance’s contact information.
* Charlton has issued warnings to residents for grass higher that 4 inches, tree limbs overhanging the sidewalk and several vehicle ordinance violations. Some of the vehicle violations have been resolved, along with a habitual barking dog violation. Two of the vehicle violations received a second warning.
* Council approved spending $970 for sandblasting the flashing stoplight poles and arms before they are painted. Charlton will have a quote for painting at the next meeting.
* The Memorial Day parade is planned for May 27.
* The town garage sale will be June 7-8. Town cleanup days are scheduled for June 21-22.
The next meeting is planed for 6:30 p.m. June 10 in the Plain Township Fire Station.
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Council member Tom Moore said they were hoping to refinance the bond issue for the sewer project so they wouldn’t have to raise sewer rates. However, they had to forgo refinancing because the bonding agent said the sewer maintenance costs are too high and the rate would go up.
He said the town spent $30,702 in 2017 for parts and $5,002 in labor for maintenance/repairs to the sewer system.
Spending shot up to $57,447 for parts and $20,202 for labor in 2018.
“It appears a great percentage of this amount in parts is because of abuse of the system,” Moore said.
In short, people are flushing things they shouldn’t.
Moore said he realizes items such as wipes are marked “flushable” on their containers, but they are prohibited by town ordinance because they clog up the gears of the sewer system.
“The next step is going to be fines,” he said.
He said the bulk of the problem is in just a few places.
Moore mentioned colorful brochures he saw in a Fort Wayne hospital that said “no wipes in the pipes.”
The council voted to have similar brochures made and to post them at the school, churches, factory, businesses in town and send them to every landlord.
In addition, street commissioner Craig Charlton said he will begin sending a list with the monthly sewer bill of things that cannot be flushed.
“If we can get his under control, we won’t have to raise anybody’s rates,” said council President Christina Archer.
Also during the meeting, a resident raised concerns about chickens within the town limits. He said his wife has histoplasmosis, which is caused by breathing in spores from bird and bat droppings that float through the air.
Moore said that town ordinance states that any livestock, including fowls, cannot be kept within 200 feet of any residence. He said that practically eliminates any residence in town from having chickens because most lots are only 66 feet wide.
Charlton said he was aware of four families in town keeping chickens. They will be sent a warning letter and a copy of the town ordinance.
In other business:
* Residents with two trash totes will be billed an additional $10 per month from Advance Disposal for the second tote. Charlton said 15 residences have dual totes. He will send those residents Advance’s contact information.
* Charlton has issued warnings to residents for grass higher that 4 inches, tree limbs overhanging the sidewalk and several vehicle ordinance violations. Some of the vehicle violations have been resolved, along with a habitual barking dog violation. Two of the vehicle violations received a second warning.
* Council approved spending $970 for sandblasting the flashing stoplight poles and arms before they are painted. Charlton will have a quote for painting at the next meeting.
* The Memorial Day parade is planned for May 27.
* The town garage sale will be June 7-8. Town cleanup days are scheduled for June 21-22.
The next meeting is planed for 6:30 p.m. June 10 in the Plain Township Fire Station.
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