Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1956-03-09
Will Re-EvaIuate
Rental Charges


sewerage rental ordinance some
two weeks ago City Solicitor Will
ham Culp made what well may be
the understatement of the year He
said, There may be some oppo-
sition to this"
Opposition formed, and quickly.
At council meeting Monday night,
over so interested citizens filled
the room to overflowing. More
were outside the doors. The may
or was presented with petitions al
legged to contain more than 430
signatures protesting the emergen-
cy ordinance.
The mayo read to the council
and assembly letter from the en-
gineering firm of Burgess and Nj
pie outlining the needs of the city
and the proposed solutions, then
opened the floor for questions
from the assembled citiZenry.
Some of the more important
questions and answers were:
Question Are you not forcing
the present users, some 600, to foot
the bill for a guesstimated popula-
ton of 5000?
Answer In a sense, yes. Un-
der the sewer rental plan of fl
nancing, however, this improve
ment will be paid for by all users
of the sewerage system during the
life of the bond issued for pay
ment. 1t is necessary to build up
cash reserve to show good faith
In order to be able to market the
bonds Present users must estab-
hsh this fund"
II Question "Is it true, as re-
ported in one of the. Columbus pa
pers, that the trunk sewer line
will cost S345,00O?"
: Answer mo. The trunk sewer
line will cost $6400 (estimate)
It will serve new developments
within the existing corporation
limits which lie between Routes
40 and 142 west of Putnam ST. as
well as the Merriman addition. 1t
would also provide for the relief
Of trunk sewers of the existing
system and would avoid the con-
struction of a new sewage treat
ment plant west of the village.
Since the trunk sewer will serve
as relief sewer for portion of
the existing system, the cost should
be borne by all the people of the
village"
Question Have you consulted
more than one firm of engineers -
Answer mo. The firm We have
consulted has an established rep
utation in the field"
Question why did this prob
lem become an emergency in one
day."
Answer Tine problem has been
neglected for the past 30 years
The legislation was passed as en-
ergency to permit us to collect the
funds as soon as possible. Even
now, no work can be done for a
year or two years
NlucSliOIl WHY was lillS Jl ~
posal not put to public vote ?"
Answer THE Ohio Legislature
granted to village and city councils
the right to pass emergency legis-
lation in regard to sewage dispu-
sal following recommendations by
the Ohio Water Pollution Control
Board after research disclosed
much of The stream pollution il
Ohio was caused by faulty sys-
TENS"
Question II am an old resi-.
dent. I have paid for the sewer
system I have used Why should
! be taxed to provide a new sys
tenn for people not here yet 2"
Answer THE proposed sewer
age improvement program which
West jefferson now faces is caus
ed partly by population growth il
the village and partly by obsole
scence, depreciation and age of tht
existing sewage treatment plant
The existing plant, butt in the lat,
tWenties, is now worn out, made
quate in capacity and incapable o
providing the degree OF treatmen
required by state administrativ,
authorities to protect Little Oar
by Creek. It is true the old resi-
dents have paid for the old sys
tenn, but they have paid nothing
toward the replacement of the sys
tenn as it wore out. Perhaps i