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Local News

Friday, October 23, 2009

Assessments discussed at Liberty Dold hearing
By MICHELLE REITER

STAFF WRITER

Revised assessments for drainage improvements in the Liberty Dold Farms Subdivision would raise the cost for most of the property owners while lowering the assessment for a largest property owner.

The project and assessments were discussed at a hearing Thursday night, which was attended by about 20 property owners in the subdivision, which is located just west of Findlay.

While most residents still favored the proposed flooding solutions, not all supported the increased assessments, which would range from $929 to $2,189 for most property owners. Before the revision, that range was $600 to $1,500.

The assessment for Starr Commonwealth for Boys, which owns 37 acres on the northwest side of the subdivision, would be about $94,000, instead of the original proposed assessment of $157,000.

Hancock County Engineer Steve Wilson has proposed a two-part flood solution to reduce flooding that involves expanding a detention pond and adding a storm sewer.

The project is expected to cost almost $332,000, which is slightly lower than the $370,000 original estimate.

Besides property owners, the cost would be shared by Liberty Township, the county and the state.

The proposed assessments have been revised since the last hearing on the project was held in August.

At that hearing, Starr Commonwealth indicated it could not afford the assessment.

The revision reduces Starr's assessment by making adjustments for the unimproved properties it owns in the subdivision.

Bret Spaeth, a Findlay attorney representing Starr Commonwealth, said the revision was not enough.

While the change benefits Starr Commonwealth, Spaeth said, "... if you look at the appraised value, they are being assessed at almost 100 percent of the appraised value of the land."

Spaeth said the company was in favor of expanding the detention pond, but it did not see how the storm sewer would help the unimproved properties.

Ben Bauer, who lives on Rum Run in the subdivision, said he is in favor of both proposed solutions, but he is not in favor of the revised assessments.

Another resident dismissed Spaeth's arguments for Starr Commonwealth as "ridiculous." He said all of Starr's land is an investment and would benefit from improvement.

Residents were told the actual assessments will not likely be as high as current estimates.

"The assessments will probably be 10 to 20 percent less than what shows," Wilson said.

Some residents on Thursday questioned the need for the storm sewer.

Paul Schmelzer, an engineer with Van Horn Hoover, said that making the detention pond bigger has more value, but the storm sewer is also important.

"What (the storm sewer) does is it conveys water from the streets from a larger storm than it does now," he said.

That means the sewer will be able to handle larger amounts of rainfall, further decreasing the chances of flooding.

Both he and Wilson said neither solution can guarantee and to flooding, but it will help.

The county commissioners will make the final decision on whether to pursue one or both projects. Commissioner Phil Riegle said they will likely vote in the next two weeks.

Reiter: 419-427-8497,

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3 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Citizen wrote:
Liberty Twp. Homeowner
“ Get use to it, if the county sales tax passes you will be paying for a lot of flooding that does not effect you. That is why everybody out in the county should vote no on the sales tax, over two million of it will go to Iriti's flood origination and they say they don't have the money to run county government. ”
Friday, October 23, 2009 6:06:32 PM
Liberty Twp. Homeowner wrote:
assessment
“ as a Liberty Twp. Homeowner, and not in the Dold subdivision, this is the first I have heard that they plan to assess all of Liberty Twp. This is not fair and should not be aloud. We did not get the say if Dold should put a subdivision there and we are not to blame it was developed improperly. This should go back to Dold Investments not the communittee. ”
Friday, October 23, 2009 2:22:43 PM
j wrote:
Why
“ The county and township is saying it need additional revenue, and then it goes and spends +300K for what amounts to private property improvements. Dold was designed badly for the environment where it was built. Why should all Liberty township and county citizens pay to fix poor design and planning of the builder. Residents of Dold benefit from the planned work and they and only they should pay for it. Otherwise what is the incentive for builders not to cut corners when building a subdivision, knowing that in the future the county and state will step in and fix any short comings. How many times in the last two years have public funds been used to fix problems that should have been taken care of by private citizens. ”
Friday, October 23, 2009 3:02:08 AM
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News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.