Council talks sewer, golf carts

Friday, July 2, 2010

FILLMORE -- Town council president Jeff Osborn opened Thursday's meeting by telling residents the council has been working at improving the town, and he thinks this is being accomplished.

"We are making progress, and I hope people can see that," Osborn said.

Osborn reported the town's last trash pickup filled less than two dumpsters, which is a first. He also said yards are being better maintained and houses are starting to sell.

"Part of what we're working toward is improving property values," Osborn said.

As part of continuing to improve the town, council members dealt with a number of issues Thursday, including the ongoing issues with making water and sewage payments equitable.

Two different properties have recently dealt with water leaks in town, one from a burst pipe and another from a damaged water heater. The owners were asking that they not have to pay the sewage charges on the leaked water, as it never entered the sewage system.

Councilor Wes Terhune questioned if there was any way to prove the water hadn't entered the system. In the end, though, board members chose to take the owners at their word and credit them for the sewage charges.

However, Osborn called on his fellow councilors to consider policies regarding sewage on metered and non-metered water users in town as well as a rule regarding properties with locked-off water in the winter.

These issues will be dealt with in coming months.

Councilor Alan Jones brought up a problem he sees of people who draw their water from wells rather than town. He suggested their should be a way to still monitor their sewer usage, even though their water is not metered.

Possible solutions included basing sewer rates on water usage when the properties were on town water as well as possibly metering personal wells for use in sewer billing.

"We expect that people are pumping a lot of water down our sewer that they are paying for and we are not," Osborn said. He said the town only wants to find an equitable solution.

The council also considered the first reading of a golf cart ordinance, but were unable to settle some key issues. The issue will be revised and brought back before the council at future meetings.

Osborn said in order for golf carts to be allowed for use on town streets, there must be an ordinance on the book.

Points agreed upon were that operators must be 16 and have a valid drivers' license, have minimum liability insurance as required by the state, must operate during daylight hours unless the vehicle has headlights and taillights, must have a VIN number, must possess a slow moving vehicle sign, are not to exceed 20 mph and must yield right of way to automobiles.

The main point of contention was over inspections. Town Marshal Darrel Bunten, who would conduct the inspections, was all for the policy. He said it would be his way of ensuring they've met all requirements and keep him familiar with who is operating the vehicles in town.

"It wouldn't take more than 15 minutes out of somebody's day,' Bunten said.

While Terhune and Osborne were on board with the idea, Jones objected.

"They don't inspect my car. Why should we inspect a golf cart?" he asked.

Council members will seek further input from Bunten and residents before revisiting the issue next month.

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