Frustrated homeowners may get break on costly sewer hook-up order

Article content

Ingersoll landowners disgruntled over a potential $17,000 charge to switch from septic systems to a municipal sewer pipeline have persuaded local politicians to consider options other than a mandatory hook-up.

After 55 Ingersoll property owners fumed upon receiving letters requiring them to link to a sewer pipeline at a maximum cost of $17,646 each, Oxford County council has sought to ease the blowback, voting to asking county staff to study several other options, including opt-in policies, and report back.

Article content

“It’s been a busy three days and it’s always encouraging to see people advocate for policy changes that they want,” said Coun. Brian Petrie, the motion’s mover. “I think it’s in our best interest to consider those different policy options that other municipalities have looked into.”

Petrie is also Ingersoll’s mayor. The busy three days he referenced was regarding affected residents attending Ingersoll town council’s meeting on Sept. 9, a public consultation meeting the next day and then the Oxford County council debate on Sept. 11.

Residents’ objections included that they don’t need sewer services because their septic systems are working, the cost is exorbitant, and a new subdivision proposed for 93530 Hamilton Rd. W. is driving the project.

Resident Darryl Hall, who spoke to council, previously told The Free Press the sewer “would not have been necessary if not for the new residential development, so why are they pinning (the costs) on existing residents?”

Because of Ontario’s Development Charges Act, developers can’t be charged for benefits to existing residents. In the case of the project on Hamilton Road, 75 per cent of the cost is being covered by the developer and the rest by existing homeowners, said Jennifer Lavallee, Oxford County’s manager of capital planning.

Article content

Petrie said options should at least be considered, especially for residents who have new and functional systems.

Janelle and Todd Moskal recently replaced their septic system, with a life expectancy of 50 years at a cost of more than $12,000, they said at last week’s public consultation meeting.

“We have a brand-new septic system,” said Janelle Moskal. “In my lifetime, I won’t need anything else. So now, to double up to do the sewer, there’s just no need for it.”

Coun. Deb Gilvesy said those who recently have replaced their septic systems should be allowed to use them because “it is an accepted form of sewage disposal.”

Some residents had also expressed concern they’d have to sell their homes because they couldn’t afford the costs associated with the project, politicians were told.

Although there is a county payment program for those who can’t afford the whole sum up front, Gilvesy acknowledged people on fixed incomes face a heavy financial burden and “we should be encouraging them to stay in their homes.”

Even if council doesn’t choose an alternative when staff comes back with options, the figure provided to the 55 landowners won’t be known until after construction is completed.

Petrie said an informed decision is important but there is still time to contemplate the matter.

“It’s in design this year, construction next year and then you have the billing cycle after that,” Petrie said.

bwilliams@postmedia.com
@BrianWatLFPress
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada

Article content