By KAREN PARKER
County Line Publisher Emeritus
The Norwalk Village Board spent a large chunk of Tuesday evening’s meeting debating the best method of dealing with a nagging sewer issue.
Resident Austin Campbell said he has to go into his basement nearly every day to unplug a backed-up sewer line. The problem is further complicated by the fact that he shares a lateral line with the Norwalk library. Usually each residence has its own lateral that connects to the main line. However, some of the early sewer constructions were problematic.
Although Campbell recently bought the property, the sewer problem was not immediately apparent, although it has been an issue in the past with other owners.
When pressed by board president Levi Helgren, Campbell conceded that he was dumping the sewage on the ground in his backyard; apparently it was his only option. After a lengthy debate, the board concluded that the line would need to be dug up and replaced, as multiple attempts to clear it had failed.
A proposal to get bids from area plumbers failed after trustee Christy DeWitt argued that the problem needed to be addressed immediately. A second proposal also foundered when some board members objected to splitting the cost with Campbell. Most of the digging would be done to reach the library’s lines at the back of the building.
Finally, after much discussion, the board decided to give the job to a plumber who could do the project soon. The village would assume the cost but allow Campbell two years to repay his share. That shared cost will be determined at the next meeting but will not exceed 50 percent of the total.
Other business
• The village has accumulated $18,000 in interest on business block grant loans it has issued since 2002.
• Approval was given to the Monroe County History Room and Museum and Deke Slayton Space & Bicycle Museum to set up a booth called “Pop Up History: Along the Bike Trail” in Norwalk on the trail on either July 2 or July 10. The display would promote the history of the bike trail. Guests who stop by the educational display will have the opportunity to spin the trivia wheel to answer questions about the bike trail and its communities. Freeze pops will be given as prizes to all who participate. The display will be set up and taken down on the same day.