During the Public Comment portions of the Marshall County Commissioners meeting on Monday, September 23rd, Sharon Leathers from Tyner has three questions for the commissioner. Mrs. Leathers is one of about a dozen Tyner residents who have attended the last three commissioners meeting in opposition to bringing a regional sewer district project to the community.
Her first question was, what is your definition of underserved? In a prior meeting it was stated that Tyner was underserved as it relates to sewage removal. Commissioner Mike Burroughs said that would be a question for Faith Chapman from the County Health Department or Ken Jones from Jones Petrie Rafinski, the company hired to complete a survey of areas inside of Marshall County that were underserved by sewers.
Mrs. Leathers then asked how far along they are on the sewer study and was told by County Attorney Jim Clevenger that the countywide study was completed. He went on to say that 15 areas were identified as being underserved by some form of sewer system.
Her next question was, why would he say it was an attractive project to wit Mr. Clevenger said he thought Ken Jones was making reference to the fact that there are areas that could use the upgrades for sewer systems. Looking at the expenses for a project, there are opportunities for assistance, grants and financing that could possibly help to reduce the total cost of the project. The attractive references being able to obtain financial assistance for the projects.
Sharon Leathers then asked why Burr Oak was taken off the list of projects between the minutes of June 23rd and August 2nd. Both Commissioner Kevin Overmyer and Attorney Jim Clevenger said no communities have been removed from the list.
Commissioner Stan Klotz said the original list had 15 locations but Burr Oak wasn’t on the list for the final four but it is still on the initial list of 15.
Mrs. Leathers asked the commissioners if they were still looking at the lake areas first and they again said that would be their preference, but they, the commissioners, don’t make the determination. If the county is granted the ability to establish a regional sewer district by the state, a local regional sewer board will be appointed and the board will make the determination of what areas will be served and in what order they are served.
