5/5/14 - Frustration is being felt all around with a project that's been years in the making and will impact residents on Lake Tyrone. The current wastewater system, although functioning fine, does not meet different state regulations and must be replaced. Different project options have been in the works for years but changing state regulations having basically forced the current choice, which is connecting to the Livingston Regional Sewer System. Livingston County Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere says the frustrating part is that they're required to do it and naturally, residents are upset with having to pay a large expense for something that works fine and he says they struggle with that too. Jonckheere says it's not only changing regulations but changing interpretations. He says in this case, theyâre being required to execute the project when technically it's not needed â although he says the state would argue that it's not meeting their criteria. Jonckheere says the project timeline is really set by the state, and design plans should be finalized by the end of this month and submitted to the state for approval. He says the hope is that theyâll go out to bid at the right time and get good prices on construction, which will be their next stressful period in trying to make this as affordable as possible for residents. A formal resolution was recently approved by the County indicating its support and approval to go ahead with the project. That's just one step of many still left to go before it will be completed, including additional resolutions to bond and finance the project, along with public hearings at the township level. (JK)
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