Maumee lays groundwork for sewer ordinance repair reimbursement
MAUMEE – Maumee residents received positive news during the city council meeting on Tuesday. The council voted 5-2 to authorize city administrator Patrick Burtch to set parameters and approve a grant program for residents who had their sewer system fixed or replaced under the sewer ordinance.
The city originally passed a sewer ordinance on June 17, requiring homeowners to schedule an inspection of their property at the time of sale or as requested, and pay for the repairs within 90 days of inspection. Some residents were facing the possibility of spending thousands of dollars repairing their homes. The sudden financial burden drew backlash from residents.
The backlash persuaded the city council to repeal the sewer ordinance on July 31, roughly six weeks after it was passed. Mayor James MacDonald explained the discontent of the citizens and looked at how the sewer ordinance would impact the total expense of every household. He says the city plans to gather citizen input.
The sewer ordinance was originally passed in response to the EPA’s mandate that Maumee eliminate the inflow and infiltration (I&I) into the sewers. MacDonald said the city continues to be in contact with the EPA but shared his difficulty with them.
“The thing about the EPA is they won’t tell you how to fix the problem,” he said. “They’ll just tell you that you have a goal post to meet.”
MacDonald also explained the grant system that the city approved.
“While that original ordinance was in place, some people actually conveyed their property and had work done on their property in order to sell their house,” he said.
“What we want to do is make right with any expenses that they incurred in the city right away not on their private property, to rectify that they had to move while that ordinance was in effect and then it got repealed.”
When asked about a new ordinance, MacDonald said the city is in information-gathering mode right now.
The next step for the city council is to hold the remaining community roundtables to gather information from Maumee residents. The roundtables are at 6 p.m. on Aug. 22, 27 and 29. To attend you must register and be a Maumee resident.
