Resident raises objection to proposed sanitary‑sewer surveying through private property; county staff says line will not be placed without owner consent

During public comment, residents identified as Doris and Anthony Bernice asked the board for information and help after receiving a letter about a sewer project and observing survey activity near their home at 8105 Kyle Station Road in Liberty Township. The Bernices said they were upset by notices and by seeing someone on their property; they said surveyors had been present and a drone had flown over.

County staff and commissioners responded directly: staff said the letter likely informed residents of planned survey work, clarified that survey work does not itself authorize construction, and assured the Bernices that a sanitary sewer could not be constructed on or through private property without the landowner’s consent or an easement. Commissioners offered to stop survey activity if the board instructs staff not to proceed with surveying that parcel and asked the residents to provide contact information so staff could follow up and redesign any route if necessary.

Administrators noted that rerouting a sewer to avoid a parcel could increase design costs and that water and sewer staff generally follow prior design directives. The chair and commissioners reiterated that they would not allow a sewer to be placed on a property against an owner’s wishes and invited the residents to call the commissioners’ office with questions.