County Defends Sewer Project

By Nancy Bowman Staff Writer

TROY — Miami County commissioners told residents of Casstown and nearby roads that they realize paying a $9,000 per property assessment for sanitary sewer service would be a burden to some, but it could have been $20,000 to $25,000 per property if the county hadn’t gotten grants and a zero interest loan for the project.

About 50 people filled the commission’s hearing room last Thursday for a 70-minute public hearing on the assessments expected for building a sewer line from Troy east to the village and sections of nearby Ohio 55, Burton Road, Casstown-Sidney Road and Children’s Home Road.

In addition to the 20-year assessment to help pay for the $2.6 million project, landowners will face a $1,825 tap-in fee and the costs of installing a service line from the right-ofway to their house and removal of old septic systems.

About 20 people spoke at the hearing, many asking if they can exclude their property from the project and if help will be available for those with financial need.

A grant to help households with project-related costs will be discussed in an upcoming public meeting.

If the project were halted now, grants secured to pay about half of the project’s costs would be taken away, commissioners said. The state Environmental Protection Agency likely would order a sewer system anyway and would want it done quickly, not allowing time to request more grants.

Village resident Rita Francis said she’s witnessed the need for a central sewer system when a septic system had problems, sending raw sewage down the gutter. "We certainly don’t have any more money than anyone else in Casstown, but it is certainly worth $9,000 … to avoid having sewer run down the gutter by your house," she said.

Many voicing opposition live in the township. "We do not want it and do not need it," said Jana Sparks. "We’re not moneymakers out there. How are we going to pay?"

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