Clay, NY -- Onondaga County officials unveiled changes to a proposed sewer law, which could have cost homeowners thousands of dollars worth of repairs, to about 100 Clay residents Thursday night at Clay Town Hall. The original proposal forced homeowners in all of Onondaga County to prove that their sump pumps, footer drains or downspouts are not connected to a...
Clay, NY -- Onondaga County officials unveiled changes to a proposed sewer law, which could have cost homeowners thousands of dollars worth of repairs, to about 100 Clay residents Thursday night at Clay Town Hall.
The original proposal forced homeowners in all of Onondaga County to prove that their sump pumps, footer drains or downspouts are not connected to a sewer.
County officials are concerned that millions of gallons of water from sump pumps and drains will end up in county sanitary sewers, where they overflow the system and violate federal regulations.
If the law passes it would require property owners to have their sewer connections inspected if they sell their houses or commercial buildings. Any hookups that drain into the sanitary sewer system would have to be repaired before the sale could close. Owners who don’t sell would have 10 years to have their buildings inspected.
County Legislator John Dougherty, R-Clay, said he has been fighting the original proposed law and is satisfied with the changes the county officials have made in the new proposed law, which will be voted on Oct. 5.
“I agree something should be done, but how could we possibly do this to people?” Dougherty told the crowd Wednesday night. “The people who live in these homes are usually the ones who can least afford expensive repairs.”
The new proposed law will require that every house be inspected only once, instead of once per owner as stated in the old proposal. The inspection will also be paid for by the county and not by the owner as originally proposed. Dougherty said having the county pay for the inspection would reduce cost and fraud.
The new proposal states that all homes must have their roof drains and sump pumps disconnected from the sewer system, which will cost under $100 for most homeowners. Under the original proposal, owners were also required to disconnect basement perimeter sewer systems that would have cost homeowners between $5,000 to $10,000 to repair. This clause was eliminated from the new proposed law.
“This is truly government in action,” said Bill Phillips, a Bayberry resident. “It’s refreshing that we were heard. You’ve listen to us and made changes.”