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Martinsville council holds public hearing on IDEM-required sewer-use wording; first reading set for next meeting; council appoints Eric Anderson
Summary
The Martinsville Common Council held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the city's sewer-use ordinance required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, heard staff explanation and public questions about RV dumping, and conducted a first reading with no final vote; the council also approved a Police Merit Board appointment.
The Martinsville Common Council on Feb. 24 held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the city's sewer-use ordinance that city staff said is required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and is intended to give the city authority to refuse certain outside discharges into the municipal sewer system. The council completed a first reading of the ordinance; no final vote was taken and the item will return for a second reading.
City staff member Dunn explained the language IDEM requested: that "the City of Martinsville has a legal authority to accept or deny any new or increased discharges from any indirect discharge." Dunn said the provision is intended to protect the microorganisms used in Martinsville's wastewater treatment process and to prevent commercial wastewater haulers or other outside sources from introducing chemicals or waste that could damage treatment operations. "We have had times where chemicals also get into our system. ... By including this, what that's gonna do is protect our wastewater facility," Dunn said.
During the public hearing, a council member asked whether the wording would apply to private recreational vehicles. Dunn and other staff said the amendment is primarily aimed at commercial haulers and large outside discharges; private RV dumping at an individual's cleanout was discussed as a separate, smaller-scale issue and not the primary target of the change. The council closed the public hearing and returned to regular session.
The proposed ordinance was introduced for a first reading; no action was taken on final adoption at the Feb. 24 meeting. The council's city attorney indicated the amendment is required language and will return for a second reading and vote at a subsequent meeting.
On other business, the council approved the nomination of Eric Anderson as the council's appointment to the Police Merit Board; the motion to appoint Anderson was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The council also approved claims as presented.
Ending: The ordinance amendment will appear on a future agenda for second reading and a final vote. The council announced a public workshop on Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. and the next regular meeting on Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m.
