Public Hearings - Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan Amendment- C

PUBLIC HEARING

COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWERAGE PLAN AMENDMENT
CHESTERVILLE SEWERAGE SERVICE AREA
EXPANSION OF EDESVILLE WATER AND SEWERAGE SERVICE AREA

January 29, 2008

A Public Hearing was held today at 10:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room, County Government Center, Chestertown, Maryland. The purpose of the hearing was to propose amendment to the Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan to include updated information on the Edesville Sewerage Service Area and to add the Chesterville Sewerage Service Area.

County Commissioners, Roy Crow, Ronald Fithian, and William Pickrum were in attendance as well as Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, Wayne Morris, Director, Water and Wastewater Services, Karl Weed, Deputy Director, and Jim Wright, County Engineer. There were also approximately 15 interested persons in attendance and two members of the media.

Commissioner Crow read the Notice of Public Hearing into the record.

In response to requests from residents along Lover’s Lane to correct failing septic systems, the Kent County Commissioners propose to expand the Edesville Sewerage Service Area to correct these failing systems. The Commissioners propose to extend the sewer line approximately .5 miles along Lover’s Lane.

In response to requests from residents along Chesterville Road to correct failing septic systems, a sanitary survey and feasibility study was conducted at the direction of the County Commissioners. The feasibility study recommended installation of a grinder pump collection system and construction of a wastewater treatment facility with subsurface drip irrigation discharge. The County Commissioners have decided to proceed with the design and construction of this system to correct the failing septic systems.

Reverend Ruben Freeman, Edesville, stated that all of the Lover’s Lane residents that the Lover’s Lane property owners has spoken with who are not hooked up to the system are in favor of hooking up to the system and would like to see the service area be expanded to include Lover’s Lane.

Mr. Morris stated that a feasibility study will have to determine the number of homes with failing systems before moving forward with this proposed project. Reverend Freeman stated that there may be a few eligible properties that are located beyond the current boundary line.

Joseph Szymanski, Edesville, stated that he owns two vacant properties ½ mile from MD Route 20. He expressed appreciation to the Commissioners, Mr. Morris and the Health Department for working together to work towards extension of the sewer and water line to help people live better lives. Mr. Symanski also expressed concerns regarding illegal sheds placed on Lover’s Lane and the amount of trash and debris still located on some of the properties. He questioned what could be done to assist people with reporting trash and debris in their neighbor’s yards without being offensive. Once a written complaint is received, the Commissioners will have the Enforcement Inspector review these properties to determine the status of the alleged violation zoning.

Reverend Clarence Hawkins, Edesville, questioned the time frame for completion of this project. Mr. Morris stated that conceivably the project could be under construction in the Summer of 2009.

Thomas Hopkins, Edesville, stated that he owns a vacant property on Lover’s Lane. He stated that if the line were extended 1 mile instead of ½ mile, it would include every house on Lover’s Lane and would allow him the opportunity to build on his property. Mr. Morris stated that the purpose of this project is not to encourage growth for Lover’s Lane, but to correct the failing systems in the area. Commissioner Pickrum stated that this project will need to be treated very carefully not to project growth since the area is not a Priority Funding Area and any evidence of a previous structure needs to be documented.

Charles Ward, Chesterville Forest, questioned a time frame for completion of the sewer project in the Chesterville Forest Community. Mr. Morris stated that the project is in the design phase. He stated that construction could begin sometime in the spring or summer of 2009. Mr. Morris reminded that funding still needs to be secured for the project. Commissioner Crow stated that the project will cover the Chesterville Forest Road and attempt to incorporate as many as the vacant lots as possible to have more users on the system to justify the grant dollars needed.

Reverend Freeman questioned whether properties that previously had dwellings will be allowed to connect to the system. Mr. Morris stated that if there is a remnant of a house or there is documentation of a former structure on the property, he will attempt to include the property in the project. However, because the area is not a Priority Funding Area, there is no guarantee that this will be possible. Commissioner Pickrum commented that the Maryland Department of Planning discourages growth in non Priority Funding Area. Mr. Morris stated that assistance may be needed from these property owners to explain the circumstances as to why their homes are no longer standing. Mr. Freeman stated that some of these property owners previously applied to build but were informed by the Health Department that the properties would not perk. Mr. Morris stated that he will do everything in his power to include properties on Lover’s Lane that previously had dwellings connected to the system.

Mr. Szymanski commented that residents on Lover’s Lane with failing systems should take priority over new developments. Commissioner Crow reminded that the system is being proposed to be installed to address existing residences with failing systems.

This hearing was taped for reference and adjourned at 10:27 a.m.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND


Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Approved:

Roy W. Crow, President