Swanton may form utility to handle storm drainage

SWANTON - Village council is considering forming a storm water drainage utility and creating a rate structure that would set up charges for system users.

Council last night voted on the first of three readings of an ordinance that sets up guidelines to operate and maintain the utility, pending further discussions on rates and users.

Among the considerations are whether churches and schools should be charged.

Councilman David Pilliod voted no; Councilman Richard Ueberroth was absent.

Fees, such as the proposed $3 monthly fee for residential dwellings, would raise funds for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the village's storm water drainage system. Council has prepared a combined sewer operational plan, which indicates that extensive storm water drainage improvements and repairs, totaling an estimated cost of $3.8 million, are necessary.

Most of the village's system is combined with the sanitary sewer collection system, which the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency says must be separated to prevent raw sewage overflows into area waterways, said Jon Gochenour, village administrator.

Mr. Gochenour said after the meeting there likely would be a separate ordinance that would establish rates. Fees for commercial and industrial properties are still being discussed, he said.