Work on sewer project to get under way

SALEM -- Work is to begin next week on a nearly $1.5 million sewer project.
Crews from J.S. Paris Excavating Inc. of North Jackson will start work Tuesday in the Sunset Boulevard area, city utilities Superintendent Don Weingart said Friday.
The city entered into a contract this week with J.S. Paris for the construction element of the job, which will cost about $1.2 million.
About $300,000 in additional costs includes engineering and other administrative tasks, Weingart explained.
The project will affect nearly 140 households on the city's northeast side that currently are served by septic tanks.
Many of the tanks are failing, posing a pollution risk and making municipal sewer service necessary.
The city is paying for about half the project's cost. The remainder is coming from $5,000 each affected property owner is being assessed for the project.
The assessments can be paid monthly over 20 years at 6 percent interest.
The new sewer lines will be operable in about five months. The project should be complete in about six months, Weingart said.