(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the sixth in a series continuing to look at proposed sewers around Tippecanoe Lakes.)

LEESBURG — Friends of Tippy has taken an initiative on its own and recently requested the county commissioners to implement a study to determine the necessity and feasibility of a regional sewer district. The organization, formed in 1996 as Clear Choice, who is now doing business as Friends of Tippy, has reportedly been against sewers at the lake.

Tom VanMeter, a member of that organization, said the group has three different camps in the organization as it relates to the sewer issue.

“Some want sewers very much,” he said. “Some are willing to concede to a sewer system if there is no conservancy district using assessed values.” The third group is those who feel the septic systems are functioning as intended and meet the criteria and the lakes are not negatively impacted. “There are no failed systems noted in the county records.”

“If anyone tells you Tippecanoe Lake needs sewer, that is not correct. The water qualities are good. Someone may want a sewer system, but if you want to put it in, let it be for the right reasons.”

VanMeter suggested what those right reasons could be: some would benefit if the property is in a low lying area, in a flood plain, systems not performing adequately and upgraded systems with mounds does cost money. But, VanMeter noted the lot sizes on Tippy are large, and the water quality is not suffering.

Another issue VanMeter pointed out that a sewer conservancy does not need to get its funding through property taxes. In fact he could not find a sewer conservancy that utilizes property assessments for costs. He noted Ben Davis Conservancy, in the Indianapolis area, just received approval on a petition to utilize a combination of tax rates and user fees. “A lot of conservancy districts have a combination user fees over and above the tax basis.”

The sewer conservancy is proposing a hybrid system – a $25 monthly user fee, and like Ben Davis and a few others, a tax rate based on assessed value of property in that conservancy.

Friends of Tippy, according to VanMeter, also feels the Tippecanoe Lake Sewer Initiative did not use good business practices in its approach to establish a conservancy district. “Many of us would like to have seen public input prior to the petition … lot of the negative feelings arisen could have been put to the side with reasonable discussion first.”

There will be an opportunity for public discussion and input if the petition is approved by the court. Public hearings will be conducted by the Natural Resources Commission with its recommendation being send to the court.

VanMeter additionally noted having sewers on the lake would increase the density of the lake’s population, bring bigger houses and housing developments. “There would be a notable increase with more boats, cars, runoff. We would have a negative impact in 20 years exasperate the problem and lose the small town feel.

“What we would like to do, once this is settled and goes away, is consider the possibility of raising funds to develop a fund to assist those financially stressed to upgrade their system.” Van Meter noted there are some individuals who are delaying what can be done to repair current systems, because they feel sewers are coming. “They do not want to spend money unnecessarily.”

Related articles:

• Confusion and Questions About Sewer Conservancy District
• Why Tippy Initiative Went With A Conservancy
• Is There Really A Septic Problem At Tippy Lake?
• Auditor’s Office Working To Verify Petition Signatures
• Health Department Finds Solutions To Septic Issues