Maumee council approves ordinance allowing city to repair private sewer laterals, waives third reading

Maumee City Council on Dec. 2 voted to waive a third reading and adopt Ordinance 037-2024, amending Chapter 927 of the Maumee Codified Ordinances to declare certain private sewer laterals a nuisance and allow the city to use public funds to make repairs.

Council members and city staff said the change is needed so the city can tell residents when repairs will be done and proceed with work previously promised under the city’s inspection program.

City staff described the ordinance as a necessary enforcement and financing tool to address defective private sewer laterals. “We have had a pretty good response already. We have 122 people who have signed up for inspections … and we’re trying really hard to make sure that we… tell people the truth and that we’re actually gonna do this work for them without any extra cost,” Dr. Burch told council during the discussion. Staff said about 80 inspections have been completed to date.

The council discussion included a public comment from Arthur Smith of 421 West Broadway Street, who urged council to reexamine penalty language he described as “overly severe and a little draconian.” “The penalty is strict liability. It does not…