11/25/86 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 25, 1986 Mr. Werts stated that the installation of the sewer has provided no benefit to his property and he refuses to pay anything. He further stated that since there is no benefit and no need for the improvement, he will not pay any assessment charge of any kind. Mr. Bodnar questioned Mr. Werts and asked him that if there were a benefit, did he agree with the way the assessments have been proportioned against various owners. Mr. Werts stated that he cannot answer that question regarding the concerns of the other affected property owners as his concern is his property and the fact that the sewer provides no benefit to him. Mr. Bodnar advised Mr. Werts that since no other affected property owners have submitted objections to the Board, it is apparent that there are no other objections. Mr. Werts stated that that is their decision. He reiterated that there is no benefit to his property and in fact has created a negative influence in the community. He stated that the submission of the Remonstrance today is his effort to go on record opposing the installation of the sewer. As a point of clarification, Mr. Bodnar stated that Mr. Werts is only objecting to the necessity for any assessment for the project and/or the amount of the assessment and not the proportioning of the assessments among various property owners. Mr. Werts stated that if the City elected to put in a sewer system at no cost to him he would not be objecting. However, the installation of the sewer system at this time provides no benefit to him. He stated that he made no effort to contact other affected property owners to sign the Remonstrance as the Remonstrance was his way of going on record as objecting the installation. In a further effort to clarify Mr. Werts' objections, Mr. Leszczynski inquired of Mr. Werts if he was saying that his particular assessment should be less than the assessment charged to his neighbor. Mr. Werts stated that he does not want any assessment. In conclusion, Mr. Leszczynski stated that the project provides for the installation of a sanitary sewer system which the residents of the area can utilize and is therefore of local benefit to the residents. Mr. Werts stated that the system is available to residents who desire to utilize the system. Mr. Bodnar advised that residents can hook-up to the system at any time. Mr. Joseph Klebosits, 1905 Riverside Drive, South Bend, Indiana, an affected property owner, addressed the Board and stated that he is not remonstrating against the installation of the sanitary sewer, but like Mr. Werts, feels that the system is of no benefit to his property. He stated that when he built his home in 1957 he inquired about City sewers and water, was denied at that time and was told that the City would never put a sewer system in that location. Therefore, he incurred the cost of installation of a septic system and drywall. Now, because of a problem of another resident, he is being penalized. Mrs. DeClercq stated that the Board and the present City administration is not responsible for the information that was given to Mr. Klebosits back in 1957 and further stated that it is her opinion that the system will benefit the residents and there will come a time when they will need the sewer system in that location. She further stated that each citizen pays for the sewer at some time and in some way. Mr. Werts stated that there was a large amount of City property on the other side of the road on Riverside Drive that didn't share in the cost. There being no further questions by affected property owners or members of the Board, upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mrs. DeClercq and carried, the re -opened Public Hearing regarding Final Assessment Roll No. 2993 was closed.