Owner responds to denial of sewer tie-in

The businessman says he's being singled out because alcohol is sold there.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- City officials did not grant a township businessman permission to tie into sewer services, which he says may cause his business to temporarily shut down and lead to legal action.
Curtis Crump owns and operates Average Joe Truck Rodeo on Elmwood Drive Extension. The company's Web site -- www.averagejoetruckrodeo.com -- bills the business as the area's only off-road arena, allowing patrons to get down and dirty in off-road racing and activities.
Crump recently applied to city council for a sewer tap-in for the property; the permit cost is $700. The request, after much discussion among members of council, was ultimately denied with four members voting against it.
Crump said the sewer tap is needed in order to obtain a permanent liquor license for the property. There is a temporary alcohol permit issued to the Liberty Township Baseball Association at the Elmwood Drive address, according to the Ohio Department of Liquor Control Web site.
Council's concerns
Councilmen Patton Gilliland and Justin Silvidi, in a letter to council, said Trumbull County officials told city officials that Crump never applied for a permit to dig a well on his property and did not have a proper permit for a septic system on the property.
Gilliland also expressed concern that Crump did not want to tie in to city water services along with the sewer tie-in -- a means by which the city determines how much to charge in sewer fees.
The letter also said county officials have concerns about landfill debris and solid waste being brought onto the Elmwood property that could be contaminated.
Council expressed concern about what other materials might end up in the sewer. Gilliland said council would like to know what would be going into the sewer system from the property.
"Mr. Crump has given city council conflicting information and demonstrated that he has little or no regard for the environment. If a sewer tap is granted him, I fear for the health and safety of the citizens of Hubbard. No one but Mr. Crump knows what will pass into our sewer system and the magnitude with the potential for a beer tent, food, vendors, campers and whatever else," the letter said.
Crump's allegations
Crump said there may be more at play than a general concern for the residents of the city and township.
"I think some of the members had personal agendas aside from doing what is right for the city and township," he said. "I believe they singled me out because I am a business and we sell alcohol on the premises."
According to Crump, any vendor trailers on the property would be self-contained and would not put anything into the sewer system. He said the only material going into the sewer system would be water from hand washing and restrooms.
Crump said the well on his Elmwood Drive property has been in place for about 20 years and has had no problems. He also said the city cannot force him to take city water in order to receive a sewer tie-in permit, but as a "goodwill gesture" he has recently bought a 2-inch water tie-in permit at a cost of $500 from the city.
Crump said without the sewer tie-in permit, he will be forced to install a semi-public sewage treatment system on the property at a cost of between $30,000 and $60,000. The system would basically serve the same function as a sewer tie-in. The business, according to Crump, would also shut down temporarily without the permit at a loss of about $100,000.
Crump said that if his business is forced to shut down because of the lack of a permit, he may take the matter to court.
Council may address the issue again at an upcoming meeting, Crump said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com