New sewer and water tap-in fee legislation makes conflict

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

September 05, 2007 01:56 am

— ASHTABULA — City Council vice president Josephine Misener couldn’t stop smiling as she cried, “Yes, yes, yes!”
Looking quite happy, City Solicitor Tom Simon thanked council members for their cooperation.
It was a meeting to remember Tuesday night as council unanimously passed new sewer connection and water tap-in fee legislation designed to stimulate economic growth in the city.
“I’m so happy,” Misener said. “Tonight is a good night.”
The passage came after nearly five months of meetings, seemingly endless discussions and unintentional stumbling blocks with local contractors.
During Tuesday’s precouncil meeting, Misener said city officials got together late last week and pounded out an ordinance designed to do just what they intended to do in the first place: encourage new businesses to locate in the city’s many vacant existing buildings.
“It’s great to get the ball rolling,” she said.
The new ordinance puts a two-year moratorium on charging tap-in fees of any businesses locating in any vacant commercial buildings located in the city. It also provides that should there be a modification of that building, a tap-in fee will be assessed based on a calculation made from the “suggested sewage flow guide,” and the applicant would receive a 50 percent discount on the fee.
The new legislation also states no sewer connection or tap-in fees will be assessed in applying for residential permits for existing structures of two-stories or higher or more on Main Avenue and Bridge Street. This covers anyone who is remodeling the upstairs of a building for living space, Ward 4 Councilwoman Julie Lattimer said.
City Manager Anthony Cantagallo said the new ordinance will spur a lot of activity on the city’s old commercial corridors.