MAUMEE, Ohio — Well over 100 Maumee residents shared concerns, frustrations and questions regarding the city's recently passed sewer ordinance at a meeting Tuesday night, all of which city officials tried to address.
"I just wanted to make sure that we all get on the same page and that they all had the information, so they can help make factual decisions," said Maumee mayor James MacDonald.
MacDonald and other city leaders held the meeting, the day after nearly 800 held their own community-organized meeting, in an attempt to give people answers about why the ordinance, which requires properties for sale in Maumee city limits to have their sewer line connections inspected, and for owners to pay for potential repairs, was passed.
"We're in the middle," MacDonald said. "We have to satisfy (the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency) and we have to try and work with our citizens to help them be successful with what is presented to them."
The city self-reported criminal violations of illegal discharges to the Ohio EPA in July 2020.
At the meeting Tuesday, city leaders said they are trying to make up for the past mistakes and that the ordinance is part of finding a solution.
"We have to put a plan together and get it to them (OEPA) by the end of this month, and then it's in their court at that point to evaluate it and get back to us," MacDonald said.
The city says it needs to submit a Sewer System Evaluation Study to the OEPA by July 21. An SSES identifies sources and quantities of clear water infiltration and inflow entering the sanitary sewer system and identifies all possible solutions the city proposes to fix any needed repairs.
However, residents are still questioning why the city is in a rush and how it expects them to pay for expenses.
Maumee resident Lisa Jawork says she had her sewer lines rerouted in April, costing her $10,000. She thinks the city's plan is bringing on costs that are too much, too fast.
"Throwing this on them when people already have homes on the market with no warning, and making it mandatory and having people take them off the market, is a crime," she said.
According to the city's public information officer, Nancy Gagnet, as of July 15, there have been 30 inspections completed, with only five passing.