The city of Jasper has scheduled waterline replacements for this year and believe this to be a good time for property owners to also get their sewer lines inspected and repaired. The Wastewater committee met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss notification to property owners and the city’s commitment to the proposed cost-share.
Affected properties will receive a notice in the mail highlighting the necessary dates to call and schedule appointments, along with the proposed cost-share. Those properties will fall along 231 stretching from 30th street to Bartley.
The city of Jasper wishes to encourage property owners along the path to take advantage of their offer and have their sewer lines inspected and repaired while the area is already torn up for the waterline work. The responsibility of maintaining lateral sewer lines typically falls on the property owners and it can be costly to the city when they fall into disrepair.
This proposed cost-share offer will be particularly advantageous for those property owners who may seek to sell, or transfer ownership of their property within the next three years. Sewer line inspections and repairs are required before property can transfer ownership and each inspection is good for three years.
The city is proposing a share of 50% or $2,500, whichever is less in order to help property owners make the necessary repairs. The proposal for the cost share in waterline repair will go before the Utility Service Board at their February meeting where they will decide whether or not to extend the cost share to city residents. The city of Jasper already offers inspections at no cost to property owners; however, if something does turn up during inspection the repairs are required. Typically the required timeline for repairs is 90 days but, the city does plan to allow extensions in recognition of the the possibility of overwhelmed contractors.
The city hopes to have their portion of the project completed so that INDOT can begin repaving the road in 2019.
