Laserfiche WebLink
Rick Tuomi,who has lived on 85th Avenue for 16 Tuomi contends the city should help shoulder the cost <br /> years, said the street is served by a 2-inch diameter of the project. <br /> pipe. <br /> "They allowed for the connection, so I think some of <br /> Shaffer said the city would have required a minimum the onus should be on the city," he said. <br /> diameter of 6 inches for such a water line. <br /> Tuomi pointed out that he and most current residents <br /> Initially, the line served only a handful of houses, but it served by the failing line had no hand in its <br /> was extended over time. Ed Joyal, who has lived on installation. <br /> 85th for 60 years, said he previously drew water from <br /> a private well and was one of the last residents to "We all pay the full water rates for service and <br /> hook into the water pipe. maintenance," he said. "So I had no clue that I was on <br /> a private line until we had our first break." <br /> Shaffer acknowledged the affected residents on 85th <br /> Avenue West face "a tough situation," but he advised Joyal, 82, said the assessment could prove a <br /> against continued "Band-Aid" repairs of the failing hardship for people like him who live on Social <br /> pipe. Security. <br /> "My advice to them would be to bite the bullet and go "It could take more than a lifetime to pay it back," he <br /> on to replace the line or it will just continue to break. If said. <br /> it is going to have to be replaced, anyhow, the money <br /> you continue to pay for repairs will just be wasted," Tuomi wondered aloud if it might not force some <br /> Shaffer said. people out of their homes. <br /> Expensive fix Teachable moment <br /> If a majority of residents now served by the water line Shaffer hopes others will learn from the current <br /> petition the city for an improvement, Shaffer said the hardship on 85th Avenue West. <br /> city would replace the failing water main with an <br /> appropriately sized pipe and would assume future While the city no longer allows for substandard pipes <br /> responsibility for its maintenance. to be installed in public right-of-ways, he said there <br /> are a number of older homes in the city still hooked <br /> Shaffer laid out that option a few years ago at a into inadequate shared private water and sewer lines <br /> neighborhood meeting. from the past. <br /> But most residents balked at the estimated $151,000 "That's why we encourage people to come in and <br /> cost of the project. To cushion the blow, Shaffer said check with city engineering before buying a home to <br /> the city could spread out payment for the pipe over 15 confirm it's on public water and sewer, rather than a <br /> years, via annual tax assessments. Shaffer said the shared private line," Shaffer said. <br /> neighbors also could hire a private contractor if they <br /> so choose, as long as the work is inspected and Lisa Krajewski, who bought a house at the corner of <br /> verified to meet city specifications. 85th Avenue and Vinland Street in April, said she <br /> believes the fact that the home was on a shared <br /> While Peterson and Ogren support having the pipe private water line with a history of problems should <br /> replaced, other neighbors aren't sold on the idea. have been disclosed. <br /> "I feel like I've been misled,"she said. <br /> 188 <br />