YCN

WASTEWATER OBSERVATIONS

At the Village of Peninsula Council Meeting Monday, June 11, the time set aside for Citizen Participation was focused on the wastewater issue. Ten speakers wanted either a delay of further work for more discussions or no central wastewater system. One person spoke in favor of the central wastewater system.

Later, during discussion of the wastewater issue, Council voted to have a Special Council Meeting on this topic.

The Special Council Meeting was held Saturday, June 16. At the meeting, the Wastewater Advisory Committee was eliminated. Council member Dee Holody is liaison person with the project engineering company. The possibility of proceeding with applications for grants to reduce prices for residents was brought up, but was not taken to a vote before adjournment.

There have been a number of public meetings including those with the engineering firm designing the wastewater system and with environmental and health regulators. Many pros and cons have been expressed by those living or having businesses in the wastewater district and by others in the community.

The disparity in viewpoints about having a central wastewater system comes mostly from the following:

Is the expense of the wastewater system too large, too uncertain and fairly apportioned?

Will the possible development of residences and/or businesses enabled by a central wastewater system threaten the character of the town?

Does the multitude of individual sewage systems in the wastewater district pose a pollution threat in the future? If so, is doing nothing now just postponing the inevitable?

Timing: should construction activity proceed before updating the Long—Range Plan and zoning ordinances?

This issue is not as simplistic as do not build a wastewater system if you do not want change. Our community will change whether a central wastewater system is installed on not. We might even decide that some change is good.

Your voice can be heard at Village Council Meetings, discussion with Council Members and through articles in Your Community News. If you choose Your Community News, the deadline for submissions for the next issue is July 10. Articles are to be no more than 400 words.

The wastewater issue touches all of us who care about what the Village of Peninsula will be in the future. This is the time to become active if you are not already.

Jack Harley, Publisher YCN