Citing Costs, Woodstock Bypasses North Main Street Sewer Access

Several home and businesses along Main Street in downtown Woodstock will not have access to the city sewer's system any time soon.
The Woodstock City Council on Monday decided it would not pursue granting sewer access to businesses and homes along North Main Street. 

The council made the decision after a presentation from Public Works Director Pat Flood, who outlined how much it would cost the city if it wanted to move forward with the project. 

The city would have to spend $96,860 tie six homes between 8278 Main Street and 8175 Main Street, Flood said. 

Flood also noted it would cost an additional $104,000 to run sewer lines along Main Street between Rope Mill Road and Dobbs Road.
There are currently six homes and three businesses that do not have sewer access along North Main Street between its intersection with Rope Mill Road and the Haney Road roundabout. 
Both Flood and City Manager Jeff Moon did not recommend moving forward with the project. Moon added that if these homes and businesses were the last in the city that were using septic tanks and if it were a health issue, then the story would be different. 

He noted the city has not budgeted for the project, so it would have ended up taking money from its Water and Sewer Reserve Fund or from another project.

Woodstock researched the issue of providing this area with sewer access after resident Debbie Harter in June asked the city to consider tying her home and that of her neighbors' into the city's system.  

The issue of providing sewer access did bring some criticism from at least two people.

Channing Ruskell, whose law practice is located at 9021 Main Street, and resident Judy Davila both were critical of the proposal brought forth by Harter.

Ruskell, who said his business still operates on well water, added if the city was granting "hookups" to its system, then it should be an opportunity given to everyone along Main Street. 

Davila, who has indicated she plans to challenge Ward 3 incumbent Bob Mueller, added it wasn't responsible for the city to move forward with the project. 

The council directed city staff to share with Harter the information that was presented on Monday evening.