Township adopts water district policy
Dundee Township Board members adopted a new water district policy at the Tuesday, May 11 meeting.

Previously, anyone who was eligible to join an existing water district had to pay the special assessment in full in order to obtain municipal water.

Now, anyone eligible to join an existing water district may pay a smaller lump sum, which “catches them up” to where the current water district is in terms of its length of bond payments, and then can pay the regular annual assessment fee.

For example, if a district is in its third year, the new people can pay two years’ worth of payments up front, and then make the third payment along with the other people in the district.

The newcomers also can choose to pay the total assessment up front if they wish.

In the Meanwell-Eggert water district, the full assessment is about $17,000. The people who are eligible to join this water district are finding it difficult to come up with that much money all at once.
“It should be equal and fair,” said Township Supervisor Joanna Uhl. “When the water districts were established, everyone in them had the option of choosing whether to pay up front, or make payments.”

Trustee John Williams had created a sample schedule of payments, which could accommodate anyone joining any existing water district for a period of up to the next 40 years. But to keep it simple, and since the water districts are so new to Dundee Township, the board adopted the “catch-up” policy.

A member of the Meanwell-Eggert water district had pushed for newcomers to pay up front, so the original members of the water district who had paid up front could get faster reimbursements.

Under the water franchise agreement between the township and the Village of Dundee, after a water district has been established, only one tap-in per year can be added. The township has established a “lottery” system, in which all those who desire a water tap that year can enter, and have a chance to be selected.

When a water district is being set up, under the franchise agreement, only lots with a “dwelling” are eligible to join. The township has interpreted this to include a house which is under construction and nearly completed, but not a vacant lot, even if a building permit has been issued.

In other business, the board learned that the township-wide property re-appraisals are under way. The Landmark firm from Monroe is doing the field work, and is entering the data into the computer. If Landmark finds anything added to the property that is not on the official record, such as a new building, then the property owner’s taxes will be increased.

The board also learned that the Monroe County Drain Commission has ordered the cleaning of the Koster and Johnson drains.