Poland considers flood-control fee

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

POLAND

Village council is considering establishment of a fee aimed at flood control.

“We’ve had flooding problems,” said Joe Mazur, council president who also leads the panel’s streets, sidewalks and drainage committee.

The ordinance, the first reading of which was unanimously approved by council this week, calls for a monthly fee of $3.50 for a basic unit of service.

“That’s $42 per year,” Mazur said.

Mayor Tim Sicafuse said the legislation has been in the works for about a year. Council had considered enacting the fee last spring but opted against it because a levy renewal was on the ballot.

It would generate about $70,000 annually.

The fund into which the fees will go will be used to maintain open drainage ways, underground sewers and drains and other storm-water drainage facilities.

Three readings are required for passage. The second reading is expected at council’s next meeting March 16 with the third reading at the April 6 session.

The basic unit of service is 2,500 square feet of impervious surface applicable to single-family residences. That equates to one equivalent residential unit (ERU).

Nonresidential properties with impervious surfaces less than or equal to the basic unit of surface equates to two ERUs.

The maximum fee equates to five ERUs.

Mazur said the ordinance also was required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Clean Water Act.

The ordinance was recommended by the streets committee and the Storm Water Advisory Team, an advisory panel formed in 2005.

Mazur said anyone with questions or comments about the ordinance may call him at village hall at (330) 757-2112 or at his home at (330) 757-1065.