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Resident asks Board of Public Works to waive sewer tap fee after discovering disconnected lateral
Summary
A Sullivan resident told the Board of Public Works in July 2025 that a home they recently bought had its sewer lateral cut years earlier and requested forgiveness or leniency for roughly $3,000 in city tap and administrative fees; the board reiterated that private laterals are homeowner responsibility but offered a payment-plan path through the clerk-treasurer.
A resident told the Sullivan Board of Public Works on a July 2025 regular session that the sewer lateral to a home they bought had been cut years earlier and asked the board to waive about $3,000 in city tap and administrative fees so they could afford contractor work to reconnect the home.
The resident said the property on Silvenale was purchased for cash and later discovered that the lateral had been severed and left in a neighbor’s yard. "I'm looking for some forgiveness on the tap bill," the resident said, adding that a contractor quoted about $4,000 to run a proper tap to the sidewalk and that the city was expected to charge roughly $3,000 in fees (the resident described a $2,500 tap fee plus a $500 administration fee and noted a separate street-cut charge that was recently increased).
Board members and staff explained the city’s longstanding policy that private lateral pipe from the main to a residence is the homeowner’s responsibility and that the city’s role is to inspect private work at the connection point and verify proper restoration of the road. A city representative said the office does not generally waive tap fees but suggested the resident work with the clerk-treasurer on a payment plan and offered to point the household to resources to help cover costs.
The resident said they had traced ownership and paperwork back as far as possible and had been told by an attorney that property owners typically must receive certified notice before a lateral is disconnected. The resident also supplied contractor names and quotes: Knots Excavating (Dylan Knots) quoted about $4,000 to reach the sidewalk; another contractor (Monty McKinley) provided a $7,000 quote to do similar work.
During the discussion board members clarified the practical steps: the private contractor must make the physical connection, the city inspects the connection at the main and requires that materials and compaction meet standards, and the street superintendent signs off after final restoration. The board encouraged the resident to meet the clerk-treasurer at city hall to arrange a payment plan; the resident agreed to follow up within a few days.
Votes at a glance: The board approved routine business earlier in the meeting, including acceptance of the previous meeting minutes, claims 1–41, and sewer billing adjustments; each motion passed on unanimous recorded votes of the members present (Mayor Wilson, Board member McNahm and Board member Pierce).
The board did not take a vote on waiving fees at the meeting. The next step is for the resident to meet with the clerk-treasurer to discuss a payment plan and possible resources; the board said staff could point the household to assistance and that the resident should return to city hall to begin arrangements.
