What Ever Happened To

[willy]

I only questioned your original comments about the sewer line running from 12th St. to Livingston Road and east of the homes on S. Illinois St. You incorrectly stated that every house in a 2 mile radius had a line hooked up to that sewer via pumping stations. I simply explained who actually got hooked up to that line. As far as your unhappiness in the contract that was negotiated with the City of Streator for us treating the sewage of Reading Township, it was negotiated and discussed in good faith and negotiated to conclusion with the blessing of the IEPA. The IEPA was really pushing the issue. As far as the cost that Reading Township pays, I consider it fair for the citizens of Streator. They've paid for the actual plant several times over and are paying the same costs as Reading residents. There are constant changes and upgrades that have to be done and everybody pays the same. You referenced me as doing something back in the 90's. I had nothing to do with anything that happened prior to 2005.

You've also used the word "we" a few times. When you move into the City, annex into the City, pay property taxes to the City of Streator, you're entitled to use the word "we". If Reading Township had listened to the EPA long ago and started complying with their wishes, your costs would have been much smaller. But your leaders chose to fight the EPA like our leaders did. We found out how powerful the EPA is, and so did you. Don't cry to the City of Streator for past errors that your leaders made.

[ironeagle]

I used to pay Property Taxes for the Town of STEATOR so I have that RIGHT. I was buying a house on N Everett and I had to pay the Property Taxes on that place. Also from 97-2000 I paid my PARENTS Property Taxes for them on their Property on their house in Streator and for the last 3 years have helped my Mother pay her Property taxes on that same HOUSE. SO I HAVE EARNED THAT RIGHT TO SAY WE WHILE PAYING THE TAXES ON MY HOUSE IN READING TOWNSHIP. I was there at the Township hall when the Design for this System was Proposed. Except for what is West of Park St Everything else is DUMPED into the Sewer Line I am Speaking of 3 houses from the House I was living in until I moved out of it. So Willy Williamson I have earned the Right TO b*tch at the INEPT CITY OF STREATOR ALL I FREAKING WANT AND I WILL. I moved out of Streator for 2 things to get the HELL out of IL and Streator and to get where my Kids had a chance to have a FUTURE WHICH THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE IN STREATOR WITH THE GOOD OLD BOYS RUNNING THE CITY INTO THE GROUND FASTER THAN THE STATE IS.

[willy]

You can complain all you want, but used to and are, is two different things. As far as what you had to say about the sewer lines out south, I stand behind what I said earlier. Approximately 300 homes are directly tapped into the line in question and I don't care where you lived. I talked to the City Engineer this morning and got my information from him. He has the maps on everything being done out there. That entire system eventually connects to Streator lines, so what is your argument. You're wanting to get all upset with me when all I was doing was clarifying fact. If you want to be upset with anybody, be upset with the entire township board that didn't want to listen to the EPA. Most people out there are dumping on Gretchen Mehalic, when they should have been angry at the previous Supervisor for trying to play tough guy with the wrong people. Smitty tried to get his own sister to hook up to the sewer line behind her house because he thought it was in her best interest. That sewer system design wasn't the best and folks out south are stuck with it and that isn't the City of Streator's fault one bit.

[willy]

I certainly understand your complaint. All folks whether they live in the City of Streator, Reading Township or elsewhere pay the same fee that our residents pay. If you choose to remain outside of the City and not annex, you pay double. Every person east of Illinois Street had the choice to tap on to the line in question, which is a better line than your folks built. If they chose to, they would have paid our costs if they annexed which was their choice. I don't believe any of them chose to and maybe three annexed that were on 12th street west of Illinois. The people east of Illinois on 12th street chose to annex. I really have no knowledge as to what your system does to the sewage but bottom line, it all ends up at our plant for treatment. All lines in the City that transfer your sewage is the liability of us to repair to keep yours flowing. Our folks have been paying for sewer treatment construction and upgrades it seems their entire lives and you guys just started. And when you and I are long gone, they'll still be paying and the EPA will ensure that their requirements will be met.

As for the taxation without representation, you are wrong. You had plenty of representation when the deal was agreed upon. You had the entire Reading Board, Supervisor and Bruce Trego, who your representatives hired. They bargained on your behalf, so indeed you had representation at all times.

As I said before, your cost could have been much lower had you responded to the EPA 20 years ago when told to.

[dog]

Aug 24, 2013 15:39:39 GMT -6 Masked Man said:

I know we have elected representation in the form of our Township Board and Supervisor. I was referring to the portion of the bill that gets paid to the city of Streator(or it's sewer district) that we have no direct voice in.
The city only transfers the sewage on it's own lines and treats the sewage. It doesn't provide any maintenance to the lines or grinder/pumps in South Streator. We are on our own and have to pay that portion, which is fine, we SHOULD. They are our own and we have to be responsible for that. I think it is a very legitimate beef that the city makes us pay as much as a resident does when you don't have to provide the same level of service or maintenance, and the sewage may actually be beneficial to your sewer lines. (Our liquids help aid the movement of your solids) Also the sewage may be easier to treat since the solids have already been ground up.
I am no expert on sewers, but have overheard a number of conversations on the subject. I welcome conversation that may correct or substantiate my views.

As for bargaining, it is my understanding that the EPA or IEPA pretty much ramrodded this whole thing. I asked someone once if we had the option of our own sewer lagoon system like many small towns have around us. I was told that we were pretty much forced to use Streator's system. Perhaps it was the only financially feasible way to go however.

I think you guys were put between a rock and a hard place. Your financial feasibility was probably correct. If you would have had to put in your own treatment plant, I bet the costs would have been substantially higher. It sucks that the way it is, but I would bet your officials south of the border did what they thought was best. Personally, I would hate to be you guys a few years down the road when these grinders fail and the mines start to collapse. I dont envy you in the least. How exactly does it work? Do they grind it AND add water to it? Or is it just ground up poopie?

[chevypower]

I know for sure they pay someone who has to put on a wet suit with oxygen and water the sludge down, not too many will offer their assistance on doing so......yuk but they pay $around 65.00 an hour for that job. The kicker is , you are under ground in a tank and neck high in $hit. Very dangerous job.

[rocket]

Maybe those guys should count the number of syringes that has been flushed down the toilet from the druggies.
I'm betting there are lot's of them in the sewer tanks at the sewer plant.


That's what the public works guys found in the sewer pipes in my neighborhood that caused the sewers to back up in the basements a couple years ago.

[dog]

Aug 24, 2013 16:09:50 GMT -6 Masked Man said:

Well Dog, it is everything that gets flushed. That's generally a LOT of liquids along with the solids. Key difference being that our solids get ground up first, so I would guess that it is a stinky slurry that is mostly liquid. Down at our shop, the machines are water cooled, so a lot of 'clean' water is just going down the pipe. Pretty wasteful really. We may have to look at a way we can recycle it or reuse it somehow instead of just sending it for treatment.

Note to self: check into mine subsidence insurance.....RATS!

So it is the same volume of material, it is just in a slurry form. I guess it all depends on how much cost is associated to break down a solid poopie compared to poopie that is already liquified, since the volume would still be the same. Sniper might have some insight since he seems to have a vast knowledge of "poop pipes"

[greekgod]

Aug 24, 2013 15:39:39 GMT -6 Masked Man said:

I know we have elected representation in the form of our Township Board and Supervisor. I was referring to the portion of the bill that gets paid to the city of Streator(or it's sewer district) that we have no direct voice in.
The city only transfers the sewage on it's own lines and treats the sewage. It doesn't provide any maintenance to the lines or grinder/pumps in South Streator. We are on our own and have to pay that portion, which is fine, we SHOULD. They are our own and we have to be responsible for that. I think it is a very legitimate beef that the city makes us pay as much as a resident does when you don't have to provide the same level of service or maintenance, and the sewage may actually be beneficial to your sewer lines. (Our liquids help aid the movement of your solids) Also the sewage may be easier to treat since the solids have already been ground up.
I am no expert on sewers, but have overheard a number of conversations on the subject. I welcome conversation that may correct or substantiate my views.

As for bargaining, it is my understanding that the EPA or IEPA pretty much ramrodded this whole thing. I asked someone once if we had the option of our own sewer lagoon system like many small towns have around us. I was told that we were pretty much forced to use Streator's system. Perhaps it was the only financially feasible way to go however.

bigdipper,

Actually the City of Streator faced the same penalties years ago, when the which is why city residents have to pay a "sewer rental" due to the fact that the Mayor Art Dell at that time ( I believe} failed to file the the neccessary paperwork to let the Federal Governent pay for the required sewer work.

So, Bigdipper, I've been paying to be in compliance to meet the EPA and IEPA standards for years, why should you not comply?

If you are required to "tap into sewers" and pay a fee taxpayers in Streators have been paying for years, so be it.

Nobody should ride free.

g

[illinois50]

Aug 21, 2013 9:08:50 GMT -6 Kyle Mitchell said:

We've heard at election times that what they have been doing is working just fine. I don't think there is much interest from our current city leadership to develop an economy here. The impression that I get is that they are happy with Streator being a retirement and bedroom community. They don't seem concerned in getting those jobs that families can support themselves on. The $300K spent on a band shell could have been used to have some roads ready for a business that may want to build there, or for other infrastructure improvements to entice possible businesses. The $300K "quality of life" improvement for a couple of events a month didn't get us much return towards developing an economy here.

Wow,   about a month ago i said the same things about the roads and pretty much got crucified, I agree that 300k would have fixed a lot of streets, not alleys those could wait.

[willy]

Actually folks, the EPA told the City of Streator to do the sewer work back in the early '70's. A study was done and sent to the EPA and a few years later the EPA again told them to do the work. The City did another study. Somewhere around 1987 we were told enough is enough. The EPA was going to fine the City big time until a consent decree was signed by the City. The City agreed to sign and started the demanded work. The first area of town to be torn up was the area of town I live in, the southeastern part of Streator. Most all people south of James street were dumping into mines. Those of us out here will attest we had dust for more than two years. It wasn't pleasant.

In that time frame an election was held to change the City government. Bills weren't being paid, we were in hock to so many people, nearly every transaction demanded cash payment. Sewer fees were increased when Scot Wrighton was City Manager. And, not many people were happy about it cause older people had been paying since the original plant was built and were getting hit again, and are still paying for early government mistakes. People out south duplicated the same mistakes we did. You don't pick a fight with the EPA.

Those negotiations weren't appealing to either side. Reading was being told they needed an agreement in place or they wouldn't have gotten the deal they got with the IEPA for grants and low interest loans. We were under the gun as well, we still need that same help with future sewer projects. The IEPA holds the purse and you don't want to make them angry. Yes we negotiated a good deal for the citizens of Streator, shouldn't we have?

Sassypants gave a very correct answer above. For the future, a million a mile, you guys do the math. Which two blocks in town needed repair any more than those heavily used alleys?

[willy]

Yes, we negotiated a very good deal for the citizens of Streator, but I never denied that, did I? I'm not being argumentative and I know you aren't either. You're being honest with me and I appreciate that. You and me are just on opposite sides of the fence and my job was to do a good job for Streator and not Reading township. That was their job to represent you. You know that.

If Reading township had taken good advice, the sewer system would have been built better, but the one designed and built was the cheapest. I believe the pumps in the homes of the residents had a 10% failure rate. I don't know how much they cost but Reading township is paying us on close to 800 homes, just a guess on my part. That means 80 are going to fail the 1st year. Big cost, and the township has taken on that cost for life, to help keep individual home costs down. Just think how many pumps are going to fail in 20 years. And you can figure that on more years, it will be a cost that goes on forever. Your leadership should have bit the bullet and did it right.

A fellow told me a few years back that the low bid on nearly all projects ends up being the high bid, when you start making repairs or making improvements to that project. When you think about that, most government projects just about mandate taking the lowest bid. Couple years later when you add the additional costs, maybe you should have taken the high bid in the 1st place.

I'm not sure about the EPA ever saying the mines were suitable cause I didn't come home from the service until February of 1972. I do know what happened after I got here. They must have changed their minds real quickly.

Some night me and wife will be out to get that diabetic treat you have and we'll chat.

[fishman]

Since the subject has seemed to change to sewers, I'm curious what is going to happen to the people East of Otter Creek who are still on a mineshaft and not in the City limits..?

[willy]

I can't offer any insight as to what the EPA is thinking about those east of Otter Creek. I think the problems all started out south because of the Vermillion River issues and mines. I don't know if there are any issues with other areas contaminating the environment. You can bet on one thing, if the EPA finds any contamination, they will come a knocking and you'd better answer the door in a polite way. You don't fool with them or the IRS.

[father of two]

I saw the same thing. There was an article in the times about it and the trees under the wires are supposed to be low growing trees. My bigger concern will be years from now and those trees get bigger is how much will it cause drifting in the winter and the shade from the trees may dlow down the melting and drying process.