By ALICIA HENRIKSON
TOPEKA, Kan., Oct. 17, 2000 (The Topeka Capital-Journal) Ken Stadler doesn't like to open his windows.
Stadler lives in the Prairie Hills subdivision, located near N.W. 46th and Brickyard Road. Stadler said sewer water runs through a nearby ditch.
"I can't open a window in the spring because of the stench," he said.
To remedy the situation, some residents in the subdivision are working to connect to the city sewer system.
Shawnee County commissioners first must approve the connection before any action can be taken. The commissioners listened to views on the matter Monday at the Shawnee County Commission meeting, but a final decision was tabled until next week.
"It's a mess," Commissioner Mike Meier said, "and we need to clean it up."
Lynn Couch, an engineer with the Shawnee County Department of Public Works, said 152 people own houses in the subdivision, and 64 percent of them have signed a petition in favor of connecting to the city sewer.
One problem with the current setup is that when the septic system begins to overflow or it rains, excess sewage runs down a hill into people's yards, some residents said.
"I've lived in the area for 14 years, and the past seven years, there have been problems," Suzanne Gant said. "When it's raining, we can't even flush the stool because we'll have to clean up in the basement."
Larry Rumans, interim Shawnee County health officer, said the area has shown a history of problems with the septic system since the subdivision was developed in 1965.
"I think it is in the best interest of the public health and welfare of the community to allow the wastewater systems to be abandoned and be serviced by public sewer," Rumans said in a letter addressed to county commissioners.
While most of the people who voiced their opinions on the sewer connection at the meeting were in favor of it, some weren't.
"There's no need for a sewer," resident Don Madl said. "I've never had a problem. No one has ever heard of any problems with health conditions."
Madl objected to a fee if the subdivision is connected to the county system. Residents would have to pay $9,000 per lot, which would be paid over a 20-year time period.
If the county commission decides Monday to approve the issue, construction could start on the project in the spring.
In other business Monday, commissioners:
- Approved a contract allowing the connection of Sewer District No. 33 into the city of Topeka sewer system.
- Approved a proposal for year 2001 dental and health insurance for employees, a resolution establishing a flexible benefit plan and a resolution setting nontaxable monthly employer contributions.
- Set a public hearing for a sewer improvement district for Lateral Sewer District No. 1 of Main Sewer District 83 and consider a resolution adopting the same.
- Tabled a public hearing for proposed new additional connection fees for the Sherwood Regional Treatment Plant District to pay for expansion and upgrade requirements and consider a resolution adopting same.
- Approved a request to solicit bids for one new rear-load residential refuse truck.
- Approved a contract for a $15,000 grant award to fund a lead poisoning prevention project.
- Approved a request to solicit bids for 2001 vehicle purchases.
- Acknowledged an agreement to allow the franchises acquired by Galaxy to expire for all areas served by Cox Communications in Shawnee County.
© 2000 The Topeka Capital-Journal via Bell&Howell Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.
