Leamington is going ahead with its plans to charge a handful of residents $142,000 to install new sewers on Erie St. S from Oak St. to Askew St.
"We've done it across the municipality and to change it at this point just wouldn't be fair," says Hilda McDonald, Leamington's deputy mayor. "I don't expect that the rest of the municipality will have to pay. I do expect that it will be the rate payers most directly involved."
McDonald says assessing part of the work as a local improvement project is the best way to go despite opposition from 14 of the affected property owners. The deputy mayor doesn't see the Ontario Municipal Board denying the municipality's application.
"You look back on previous projects and I'll mention Armstrong Dr. and Foster Ave. both went to OMB and the OMB ruled in favour of the municipality. I would expect the same," says McDonald.
The local improvement process allows for residents directly benefiting from infrastructure improvements to pay more of the cost. A total of $1.3-million has been previously budgeted for the work expected this summer.
