BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
The demolition of a home to make way for Express Oil Change in Starke has caused problems for a neighboring property, which has been left without sewer service.
Lathell Blaine lives at 101 Alexander Road, right next to where the new business is being constructed.
“As a result of the excavation that they’re doing, my sewer was disconnected, destroyed. So, I had no sewer service for several weeks now,” he explained to the city commission last week.
Blaine said he spoke with General Manager Drew Mullins and was told he would be financially responsible for reconnecting the service, which would involve installing a new line and pump station.
Mullins explained that Blaine’s home had been connected through a line to the home that was torn down by the developer, the house where Blaine’s aunt lived. The sewer line was on private property, not the city right of way. Water usage was metered on separate accounts, and he confirmed the bills were paid.
“Whenever the developer requested the cut off, the disconnect, for water, electric, sewer, everything, all the utilities there, when it was disconnected, that’s when this issue popped up, which is how, again, we were able to determine that this is one connection with two pipes going into it,” he said.
Blaine said he spoke to a supervisor at the construction site, who told him the sewer service was cut six months ago. Explaining why the problem was discovered more recently, Mullins said there was a very long pipe leaving the property that had been filling up ever since. He reminded Blaine he was advised to speak with the contractor about the situation.
Blaine said it was the city who issued the permit for them to build.
Mayor Andy Redding called it an unfortunate civil issue. The city’s responsibility it to get utility lines to a property. The city is not responsible for what happens on the private property, he said.
“Obviously you need to be rectified sooner than later because of the sewer issue, but you’re on that grounds of a civil issue between yourself and the contractor when we’re responsible to where the private property starts,” Redding said.
In other business:
—Robert Padron complained that city right of way crews always skip mowing the property in front of his West Market Road home, leaving him to do it for 20 years. Now that he is 87 and no longer capable of doing so, he wanted to know why he is skipped. He was told the city would explore whether it was city or county right of way.
—management of Pine Forest Apartments debated responsibility for the sewer lift station serving the complex. Mullins maintains that the station is on private property and is not the city’s responsibility.
—the commission finalized adoption of an ordinance raising fees for excessive false property alarms.
Memorial Day
Chamber of Commerce President Pam Whittle asked for the city’s blessing to use the Downtown Square on Memorial Day, May 26. To encourage more public participation in the American Legion’s annual ceremony, they are introducing refreshments — hot dogs and drinks — as well as a car show. The ceremony begins that morning at 10 a.m. and will include a special speaker and wreath laying to honor fallen military heroes.
Election this fall
The city commission approved the first reading of an ordinance reducing the city clerk’s starting salary from $69.000 to $45,000. Commissioners also passed a resolution approving an agreement with Supervisor of Elections Amanda Seyfang to oversee the Aug. 19. In addition to the vacant city clerk position, the District 2 and 4 commissioner seats are up for election. Those interested in qualifying for any position should contact the elections office at 904-966-6266.
