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ENLARGE
The town of Blue River on Tuesday approved gradually replacing septic systems with sewers for most of the town’s estimated 680 residents.
The Upper Blue Sanitation District will annex the town to supply the services following a 72-12 vote in a special election, according to district manager Andy Carlberg.
“We thought it was a very good turnout for the town,” he said, adding that he hadn’t heard much discussion for or against the annexation leading up to the election.
The town has 502 active voters, according to the county clerk and recorder’s office.
Though residents historically have voted against any potential intrusion into the town’s rural character, the advantages of sewer service appear to have outweighed any concerns.
Town Councilman Rob Waterman said he didn’t expect the annexation to be approved because of complaints from a few vocal opponents.
“I’m always surprised when people don’t listen to the noisy ones,” he said. “A lot of people think any improvements to town — some just assume it’s a ploy by developers and real estate agents to increase the property values in the town.”
Residents won’t be required to connect to the sewer until their systems fail and would be required to connect only if the system failed within 400 feet of a sewer main — per county regulations.
The construction will begin in the south area of town and isn’t expected for perhaps another year and a half — to allow time for planning.
“Then we are going to wait to see which subdivisions approach the district,” Carlberg said, adding that community meetings and notices will follow before any piping is laid.
He said the South Blue River Treatment Facility next to the Eldorado Subdivision is planned to serve the entire town.
Presently, most of the town’s residents use septic systems. The threat of failing systems, the expense of replacing them, and the gradually increasing population density affected the decision to pursue a connection to the sewer system.
“My septic system’s 30 freakin’ years old. It isn’t going to last forever,” Waterman said, adding that the district’s financing options are appealing.
The district was formerly known as the Breckenridge Sanitation District.
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
The Upper Blue Sanitation District will annex the town to supply the services following a 72-12 vote in a special election, according to district manager Andy Carlberg.
“We thought it was a very good turnout for the town,” he said, adding that he hadn’t heard much discussion for or against the annexation leading up to the election.
The town has 502 active voters, according to the county clerk and recorder’s office.
Though residents historically have voted against any potential intrusion into the town’s rural character, the advantages of sewer service appear to have outweighed any concerns.
Town Councilman Rob Waterman said he didn’t expect the annexation to be approved because of complaints from a few vocal opponents.
“I’m always surprised when people don’t listen to the noisy ones,” he said. “A lot of people think any improvements to town — some just assume it’s a ploy by developers and real estate agents to increase the property values in the town.”
Residents won’t be required to connect to the sewer until their systems fail and would be required to connect only if the system failed within 400 feet of a sewer main — per county regulations.
The construction will begin in the south area of town and isn’t expected for perhaps another year and a half — to allow time for planning.
“Then we are going to wait to see which subdivisions approach the district,” Carlberg said, adding that community meetings and notices will follow before any piping is laid.
He said the South Blue River Treatment Facility next to the Eldorado Subdivision is planned to serve the entire town.
Presently, most of the town’s residents use septic systems. The threat of failing systems, the expense of replacing them, and the gradually increasing population density affected the decision to pursue a connection to the sewer system.
“My septic system’s 30 freakin’ years old. It isn’t going to last forever,” Waterman said, adding that the district’s financing options are appealing.
The district was formerly known as the Breckenridge Sanitation District.
Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.
