Objecting to sewer repair costs is pointless

Like it or not, we are going to pay for sewer repairs.
There are certain people in town who are complaining that the city’s repair project is too little, too late and that residents can’t afford it.
The first of several phases in making sure our basements don’t flood anymore will begin in the coming months.
This first step will cost about $6 million, and we will be paying through an added fee on our water bills.
It has not been calculated what that extra fee will be, but several months ago it was estimated to be $7 to $14 on each bill.
We are paying for the errors of residents from 60 years ago who refused to pay for an upgrade by voting it down.
No matter what you think of the cost of the project and how the city is going about it, we have no choice. The work is being forced on us by court order as a result of a class action lawsuit filed against the city a few years ago.
The lawsuit was filed by residents several years ago after one of the city’s massive floodings.
As part of the agreement between the residents and the city, the city agreed to start making repairs to the sewer system.
Ironically, whatever paltry amount of money the plaintiffs of the case individually won, they will end up paying it back for repairs.
There is no turning back on this deal. The court has ordered it, and the city has to comply.
It is of no use to complain, unless you want to direct it at to those who had a chance to fix this problem once and for all back in the 1950s but were too stingy to do so.
But then again, that would accomplish nothing constructive.

One Response to Objecting to sewer repair costs is pointless

  1. Hamtramck Resident

    April 28, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    The problem is not that we have to pay the bill. The problem is that we will pay and the corrupt people who are in charge will just take our money and not fix shit.

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