By Megan Decker
Staff Writer
DENMARK TOWNSHIP — The Denmark Township Board of Trustees voted to terminate all three 2013 water districts during their regular meeting on Monday.
After discussion with their attorneys and financial planner, the board voted to dismantle all three water districts in order to avoid further court fees with lawsuits pending in the appeals court against the Citizens of Unfair Taxation.
“At this time we need to either look ahead at continuing with this project, or dissolve (the districts),”
Denmark Township Supervisor Charles Heinlein said during the meeting.
Board members accepted petitions from residents for municipal water in parts of Denmark Township and declared its intent to proceed with the project during its Sept. 30, 2013 session.
Prior to making its decision on Monday night, resident and water district supporter Mark Gruber told the board that the prior petitioners are currently gathering signatures to move forward with the project as a voluntary assessment. If 65 signatures are collected, the petitioners will come to the board asking for the creation of a voluntary assessment district rather than the current special assessment district. Each resident in the voluntary assessment district will be asked to pay $15,000. The cost will be reduced for each person beyond the necessary 65 residents.
“We need a total of 65 signatures from those in the districts in Denmark and Gilford Townships. We’re getting really close to that number,” Gruber explained. “The petitioners want to move forward with getting water, but those people who don’t want water won’t get a contract (or be asked to pay the assessment).”
According to Gruber, the debt for the project would solely remain with those within the voluntary assessment district. It is believed that the $1 million grant from the USDA will still be available to those within the voluntary assessment district.
“This is a big step in the right direction,” said Denmark Township Treasurer Dennis Weber.
The next meeting of the Denmark Township Board of Trustees will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 at the Denmark Township Hall.