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by Jim Mackley Through an Inter-local City Agreement, Perry City and Willard City formed an Independent Sewer Board in 2008. Thus the two cities formalized a cooperative sewer system and waste water treatment plan. According to Tyson Knudsen of Sunrise Engineering, who is the Resident Project Representative for the sewer and wastewater system, each city has an equal number (two each) of city representatives on the Sewer Board plus an at-large member that is chosen between the 2 cities by unanimous consent—making a total of five on the Board. Mr. Knudsen says that his firm led in the planning of the system, is overseeing the construction, and will be involved in ensuring proper operation for one year after construction. Mrs. Joyce Marsing, a resident of Willard says that Sunrise Engineering has been excellent to deal with in her particular situation.
Both City Councilman William Walker of Perry, and Mr. Knudsen stated that the projected start-up date for the new system is May of next year. This comes after several years of planning and looking at alternatives according to most of the Perry City Council members present at the Nov. 19, 2009 city council meeting. The State of Utah, Division of Water Quality has been closely involved in the process too.
Not everyone agrees with the plans, however; and there has been some controversy. Some say construction in the roads in Willard can be annoying. Councilman-elect Beebe of Willard has noted that Willard City Council voted to approve the plans after the citizens voted against a new system twice. Jay Aguilar, Willard City official, stated that his recollection was that there was a citizen vote about 20 years ago where the citizens voted to turn down a grant for a sewer system. Former Councilman Fred Barker says that vote, and one about 12 years ago did indeed turn down a sewer system, but that the most recent survey or vote depending on who you talk to, was an approval to do a sewer system. However, the results of that survey/vote were very close. Mr. Barker states that the sewer system is not going to be a great advantage to him, but nevertheless believes that it’s great that people could choose to have a public sewer system (or not) through voting.
Both Perry and Willard have borrowed money from, and have bonds with the State of Utah through the Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Water Quality. Councilman Walker stated that each year the cities determine the budget the Board uses to run the system. For the new sewer system, Perry citizens will pay $38.00 per month per house; while Willard has pledged to charge $42.00 per month per house according to Mr. Knudsen.
Mr. Walker also noted that the cost per household in Perry for sewer services using the current settling pond is $11.00 per month, and that the new fee is a result of State involvement. Mrs. Joyce Marsing commented that “the State has to stay on top of it.” Mr. Walker points out that the settling pond was only built for about 2200 people whereas Perry city now has about 5,000 people. Also, the settling pond was built to last 20 years. And that was 30 years ago. He says the plans for the new sewer system are to have it paid off in 20 years with the ability to enlarge and/or update the system as needed. Doug, a representative for the planned “community” for property listed as: “Eddie Wells, Emily Watkins and Buckskin Land and Livestock” made a point for consideration that “impact fees would pay ½ of the city’s ($)7 million bond for sewer” when he met with the Willard Planning Commission on December 3. 2009.
With the enlargements and updates, both Perry and Willard should be able to handle sewer needs until build-out is complete. Mr. Walker says that the new system will be similar to the Tremonton system - except updated. He says Tremonton’s system is amazing! |