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Millville will contribute to Nibley sewer project By
Bryce Petersen
MILLVILLE -- The Millville City Council voted 3-1 Thursday to participate in the funding of a portion of Nibley's sewer system. And the debate on fluoride began. Whether Millville decides to convert to a sewer system now, 50 years from now or never, the participation in Nibley's project will make it possible to transport Millville's sewage from its border to Logan's treatment system, according to Councilman Mike Johnson. In addition, the council, by the same 3-1 split, approved an application to the Division of Water Quality for funding on a proposed wastewater collection system. Councilman Duane Harvey dissented in both cases; Gene Eggleston was not present. If the division approves the application, Millville residents will have one more chance to discuss the issue in a public hearing before the City Council's final vote. "This doesn't lock you into anything," said Tim Beavers, environmental engineer for the Utah State Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Quality. Previously, the council members had heard Charlotte Harris, a representative for Utahns for Better Dental Health, urge them to place fluoridation of drinking water on the November ballot. She said the time for education of the public would be after the issue was assured a spot, not before. "If I were to go learn about the pros and cons, the benefits and drawbacks of fluoride," Harris said. "Wouldn't the ballot be the best place to decide that?" A small group of residents voiced their concerns immediately. "I think that there are so many detriments that I just think citizens need to be educated beforehand," said Deon Van Dyke. The mayor placed the item on the next agenda. The proposed wastewater collection system is not what bothered Councilman Duane Harvey. He said that while he did not object to moving forward on the project, he did feel that the city should look harder at other funding options before accepting the state's proposal. "The only thing that's holding me up on this is the 46 dollars a month that we're going to saddle everybody with," Harvey said. "Because I think that's outrageous, frankly." The $46 per month sewer fee, which would be the highest in the state, is based on 1.4 percent of the median income of Millville residents. It is the maximum that the state would assess each resident under the plan. Beavers said that though the fee is high, it would only be higher in the future, since the median income will continue to rise. Mayor Gale Hall said that the need will continue to increase as well. "We have just seen a presentation for a new 56 home subdivision," Hall said. "I think there's going to be additional pressure on (Millville's septic tanks) immediately." If Millville declines to convert its system, residents will still be assessed a $2 monthly fee to pay for its portion of the Nibley pipe. If the conversion does take place, the $2 fee would be absorbed into the $46 maximum monthly payment.
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