I have a real problem in Michigan

[0UTSIDER]

I live in northern Michigan. The village I am in is attempting to build a sewer system. While it has not come to a vote yet, there is a possibility that it may pass. The cost per REU is extimated at $15,000 up front and then $40/month user fees. I have an up to date septic system.

I am disabled and only have Social Security disability, my wife does work. We do not make a lot of money, and have very little in the bank. There is no possible way that we can afford the cost of the monthly fee let alone the up front costs. The village has said that if the system passes that hook up is mandatory, which will force us to sell our home. The question I have is there any way to avoid hook up to the system? In one part of the notice we were sent, a question was put forth wondering why the whole township will not be assessed the costs and only the people in the proposed sewer district. The answer was as follows: "With the assessment method of project financing, the property to be assessed must receive a definite benefit from the proposed improvement."
Since I have an up to date and up to code septic system, and seeing as I will be financially destroyed by this system, can I challenge it on the grounds that I will not receive a definite benefit from the system? Any and all help would be great. Thank you.

 

[0UTSIDER]

Looks like I asked a tough question here. I was really hoping somebody might have some sort of suggestion.

 

[Souix]

I live in northern Michigan. The village I am in is attempting to build a sewer system. While it has not come to a vote yet, there is a possibility that it may pass. The cost per REU is extimated at $15,000 up front and then $40/month user fees. I have an up to date septic system.

I am disabled and only have Social Security disability, my wife does work. We do not make a lot of money, and have very little in the bank. There is no possible way that we can afford the cost of the monthly fee let alone the up front costs. The village has said that if the system passes that hook up is mandatory, which will force us to sell our home. The question I have is there any way to avoid hook up to the system? In one part of the notice we were sent, a question was put forth wondering why the whole township will not be assessed the costs and only the people in the proposed sewer district. The answer was as follows: "With the assessment method of project financing, the property to be assessed must receive a definite benefit from the proposed improvement."
Since I have an up to date and up to code septic system, and seeing as I will be financially destroyed by this system, can I challenge it on the grounds that I will not receive a definite benefit from the system? Any and all help would be great. Thank you.

***Sorry if this seems too obvious, but what did your village tell you when you asked if you could be excluded from the sewer system and also did you explain your financial status and ask if there was some sort of subsidy they could put you on?***

 

[0UTSIDER]

They said that hook up is mandatory and that there will be loans available to fixed income residents. Problem is we can not afford another loan payment. As I said we can not even afford the $40 monthly user fee. After I was injured, our credit, or my credit, was badly damaged as we had barely enough money to pay our rent and food bills. It took 4 years to get Social Security. Social Security takes away money from the lump sum for Workmans Comp settlements. I received a $39,000 Comp settlement. Problem there was I received no medical bill compensation and it took 3/4 of the settlement for my medical bills. We have owned the house for only two years now and we pretty much just got lucky to get somebody to finance us. It took 6 months to get everything worked out on our home loan. We bring in around $1,600/month before bills. Our bills work out to be around $1,100/month not including food. We never have more then $400 in the bank at any time. While there is just myself, my wife, and 5 year old son, the food bills take up pretty much the rest of what we get each month. We pretty much live week to week as far as money is concerned.

 

[HomeGuru]

Looks like I asked a tough question here. I was really hoping somebody might have some sort of suggestion.

**A: this is not fast food. I just read your post now. Patience is a virtue.

 

[Souix]

They said that hook up is mandatory and that there will be loans available to fixed income residents. Problem is we can not afford another loan payment. As I said we can not even afford the $40 monthly user fee. After I was injured, our credit, or my credit, was badly damaged as we had barely enough money to pay our rent and food bills. It took 4 years to get Social Security. Social Security takes away money from the lump sum for Workmans Comp settlements. I received a $39,000 Comp settlement. Problem there was I received no medical bill compensation and it took 3/4 of the settlement for my medical bills. We have owned the house for only two years now and we pretty much just got lucky to get somebody to finance us. It took 6 months to get everything worked out on our home loan. We bring in around $1,600/month before bills. Our bills work out to be around $1,100/month not including food. We never have more then $400 in the bank at any time. While there is just myself, my wife, and 5 year old son, the food bills take up pretty much the rest of what we get each month. We pretty much live week to week as far as money is concerned.

***How about a deferral, due when you sell your house? I would think that being connected to a sewer system would raise your values***

 

[0UTSIDER]

Deferrals are not being offered. They want the up front cash if the sewer passes the vote. I guess if I just don't pay it, they will attach a lein to the house and it may work that way. What really gets me is that they are counting on the hospital in town to cover 66 REUs and the hospital that owns ours is shutting ours in December. If I owned it, I would doze the building instead of paying for 66 hookups at $15,000 each for a building that will be empty. They have also not explained who will be paying for the hookup and operations at our public school and fire dept. I figure we will end up with higher taxes for that as well.

 

[treefon]

Vote

Gather up all your friends who can vote on this issue drag them to the meeting and vote NO.

 

[0UTSIDER]

I suppose that that is the only hope I have. Things like this just should not be allowed. Hooking up to a new system should not be mandatory if you have a working septic system.