Kosciusko County Board of Health discussed, but did not vote on, an appeal of their decision to deny an exemption from the Lakeland Regional Sewer District Wednesday. But members did express understanding for Sandy Courson’s case, while also indicating, in order to follow state codes, that their vote would have been no. They could not vote Wednesday due to lack of a quorum. Courson asked the board to allow exemption from the sewer district for her one-bedroom cottage in the Springview Park addition in Leesburg. She said she felt her 350-square-foot septic system is adequate for the small property, despite being only a little more than half the size of the state-required minimum. The minimum septic tank size is for a two-bedroom residence; state code does not recognize anything smaller, board members and health department officials said. Courson was one of 76 residents to file for a 10-year exemption from the sewer district, and one of 38 who were denied. Denials were based on criteria such as the size and age of the resident’s septic system. Courson said she didn’t understand the denial after the health department gave her system the OK two years ago, but health officials responded that allowing the system was simply the alternative to eviction from the property. “We have allowed substandard systems for years. It was then and it still is,” said Health Officer Dr. Bill Remington. “We had no other choice – we had to approve it or evict you.” Administrator Bob Weaver added that the system was approved for use in 2011 but was not approved as being up-to-code. He said the sewer district board could decide something else in her case, “but we would recommend it’s not a satisfactory system under our policy.” Officials also noted that they could not have anticipated the sewer district project when allowing Courson’s system. They noted as well that the small, packed Springview addition was identified as a major reason a sewer line system was needed in the area. Also during the meeting, members approved Milford School Principal Cindy Kaiser to fill an open seat on the board, after hearing about her cooperation with the health department during the school’s recent chickenpox outbreak. And they heard from Weaver that he plans to be proactive in testing for algae blooms in county lakes during summer. High temperatures and droughts have caused an increase in harmful blooms like microcystin, he said. Members also heard a legislative update on a state House bill amending requirements on soil testing. The bill would allow Kosciusko to use its own scientists to test soil at the sites of failed sewage systems.
