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Resident asks city to review $5,000 sewer-repair bill after shared six‑inch line found under house
Summary
Jeremiah Matthews told the board he submitted a $5,000 invoice to the City of Hickman after uncovering a six‑inch shared sewer line beneath a residence he says serves multiple households; city staff said they will investigate tap records, manhole location and whether the line qualifies as a city line under local ordinance.
Jeremiah Matthews spoke during public comment to ask the City of Hickman to review a $5,000 invoice he submitted after repairing a clogged sewer line beneath property owned by Mickey Harris. "I gave the city a bill," Matthews said, adding he broke down parts and labor and that the work occurred in January.
Matthews said crews found a six‑inch pipe under the house that he believes serves multiple dwellings. "It's turned into a 6 inch line that has more than 1 house on that line," he said, and told the board he identified as many as four taps connected to the run.
Board members and the speaker discussed whether the pipe should be treated as a city line. An unidentified city official noted the city ordinance treats a multiple‑household connection as a city line, which could affect who pays for repair and maintenance. The official said staff would search for records of tap fees and other documentation to determine whether the city had accepted responsibility when taps or an apartment were added.
Matthews and other speakers named nearby properties and occupants — including Leon Harris, Jimmy Boba and Barry White — as among those tied to the shared run. The board and speaker also discussed historic maps and whether a former alley or street layout had influenced where the line was placed.
City staff reported they could not locate the associated manhole during initial checks, which complicates immediate inspection; speakers warned that portions of the run are under Troy Avenue, which is a state roadway in places and could require coordination if pavement were opened. The city official said they planned to bring staff members John and David to inspect the site and to review tap‑fee records and old maps.
The board did not make any formal determination at the meeting. Matthews asked that he be shown progress before incurring additional costs; the official said staff would pursue the research and work to report back at the next regular meeting.
Clarifying details from the exchange: the contractor/resident said the repair work was performed in January, the invoice presented was about $5,000, the pipe was described as six inches in diameter with approximately four taps, and staff could not initially locate the related manhole.
