Bedford waives water, sewer fees for YMCA

6/16/2004

TEMPERANCE - The Bedford Township board last night agreed to waive nearly $50,000 in water and sewer tap-in fees for the Francis Family YMCA, which is now under construction along West Dean Road near Bedford High School.

The board voted 6-1 to waive the fees, which are normally assessed against any commercial or industrial enterprise that is constructed in the township based in part on its square footage. Trustee Joyce Hagen cast the only no vote.

Proceeds from the fees would have gone into special funds that ultimately pay to maintain the water and sanitary sewer lines that criss-cross the township.

The YMCA of Greater Toledo, which is backing the project, will instead pay $300 to cover the inspection costs done by the township on its water and sewer hookups and will still be assessed fees by the South County Water District and the township's Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Township Clerk Bob Schockman, who has been a vocal supporter of the YMCA project, told board members that he approached YMCA officials about waiving the fees - they did not request it.

"This doesn't impact the township in any way. It doesn't cost us anything," Mr. Schockman said.

Mrs. Hagen said she cast her no vote because the YMCA will not be open for use by local residents who aren't members of the organization.

Though he ultimately supported waiving the fees, Trustee Arnold Jennings chided Mr. Schockman for making the offer in tight economic times.

"We're going to be faced with tighter budgets, and I think we should be careful with what we're giving away," he said.