By Joe Cohen
I will skip any discussion of the ‘history’ of how this issue got to where it is – knowing it is a minefield with heated opinions and perceptions. Rather I would like to take a financial perspective and offer a solution for what OPAL leaseholders should (must) do in their own financial self interest (and why). From the perspective of ‘what is best for me as a resident in Bonnie Brae’ – here are my thoughts.
Each resident should:
1. Get the permit application from Sue Kimple and fill it out (takes about 10 minutes).
2. Attach a check to ESWD in the amount of $ 500 post dated to October 15th (reason to follow).
3. Apply for the ‘low income’ option that will allow the resident to obtain the 50% discounted fee of $ 3,350 vs. $ 6,700.
4. If qualified, get the reduced monthly service rate of $ 31 per month that will start at the time of connection.
5. Elect a payment option that suits their individual financial needs. If someone cannot afford anything (for whatever reason) they may then elect the deferred payment option (my words) that allows them to pay ZERO for fifteen years with only 3% simple interest (not compounded) to accrue on the balance. (Note: Clearly this pushes the payment down the road – but at least there is plenty of time to work on it. If the unit is sold the lien obligation is paid off at time of sale).
I believe (and have a nod from a reliable source) that if the residents will do this – EWSD will waive the $ 500 permit fee in full to aid in further reducing the impact on OPAL residents.
The benefit to residents:
1. They lock in the $ 3350 discount by meeting the permit filing deadline of October 1.
2. They save the increased fee of $ 700 that will become effective October 1. (Total savings of $4,050)
3. They avoid the painful (and perhaps punitive) $ 48 accessibility fee recently announced.
4. They will no longer be required to have their septic systems inspected (I believe annually) at some ‘unspecified cost’ (I assume at least $ 100 – but don’t know for sure).
5. They will no longer be required to pay for the ‘pumping’ of their ‘tanks’ at a cost of about $ 700 (I am told) every 4-5 years. Instead, ESWD does that as part of the service package for the $ 31 monthly fee. (If the pump charge is indeed $ 700 – then the monthly fee represents about two years of payments toward that end).
6. They will rid themselves of the emotional turmoil (to some extent) that surrounds this ongoing debate – and get back to living without it (maybe).
The benefits to the community:
For the community at large – we protect our watershed better than we do now. (Note: The argument about the quality/sufficiency of the existing septic systems is irrelevant if the law requires the hook up – so no use getting sidetracked into that argument). For a community that is called OPAL (Of People and Land) this would seem to be consistent with the larger philosophy.
To proceed in the antagonism that is evident (irrespective of source) is destructive to the residents and the community at large. And ESWD will lose as well if the acrimony continues.
One day soon as a community we will need to both increase our sewage treatment ‘capacity’ (under state law) and perhaps the quality of our treatment installation to serve that need. If the atmosphere is too poisoned – we may all shoot ourselves in the foot (toe?) and refuse to fund a BOND ISSUE (in the future) that is in our best interests then….a bit twisted don’t you think?
I am hopeful all participants in this debate with simply take a step back and ask a simple question: At this juncture – what course best serves their self interest – short and long term. Moving down the path suggested above may then break the entrenched ‘inaction’ (on the part of residents and ESED) that results in more negative ‘reaction’ all around.
It is time to be done and move forward.
Joe Cohen is a Certified Financial Planner
It sounds like this is a battle between the people and an Organization. Who is stronger? Who is in the moral right? Who do we give the power to? .. to determine their course of destiny. I hope we give it to the People. Do we want the faceless storefronts running our lives, dictating to us what we can and cannot do? People are what’s important, not the dreams of Eastsound, not even a utility’s ability to profit or survive here.
The People come first, … we live, we breathe, we feel. It’s time to stand up to the controllers of the People.
Domenic – Eastsound Sewer & Water is not a “faceless storefront” or an evil “Organization”. It is a community utility, run by friends and neighbors who are elected. It’s not about some “people versus the machine” 1960s rhetoric. It’s about getting sewer service in place, as required by state and federal health and water regulations, in order to protect our wonderful environment and ensure healthy ground water. Yes, people live, breathe and feel. Polarizing rhetoric does not help.
This is a very helpful article and I, as a Bonnie Brae resident, appreciate the advice, which jibes with everything I learned from the ESWD meeting on Tuesday. I would encourage all residents of Bonnie Brae & OPAL Commons to speak directly with Susan Kimple of the ESWD to have their questions answered in person and to their satisfaction. There have been too many assumptions and too much false information floating around causing confusion, fear and anger. Direct dialogue with the persons actually involved is the best way to get at the facts we need in order to make an informed decision.
Was not Eastsound Sewer & Water dumping untreated or waste water into the Sound off of North Beach? Would anyone like to comment on that?
Where does it say in Federal and State law that these people Must hook up to sewer? Link?
And then also, why was this propaganda being pushed about Bonnie Brae’s septic systems causing elevated nitrate levels in the groundwater, using this to publicly justify that their septic systems were faulty and need for sewer hookup? Groundwater with elevated nitrate levels can be caused by almost anything, like decaying forest matter. Also, no caffeine was found in these tests suggesting that there is no leak. Someone at Bonnie Brae must drink caffeinated something… Please Explain That.
I don’t think a group of low income people with a working septic system which they properly maintain should be forced to hook up to sewer and then if they don’t, still have to pay the full monthly price; especially people living on the fringe of a UGA that never should have happened in the first place. i believe that is called “extortion.”‘
the real culprit in pollution of Eastsound aquifer is commercial development in wetlands such as Eastsound Swale.
Hard to see how commercial development in Eastsound is responsible for “pollution” (which pollution are we talking about? I ask, seriously, is there a study of leakage from the BB lots systems?) The commercial properties are required to have a commercial septic system in place. The County requires everyone (I’m pretty sure) to have their septic inspected annually (at more than $100). The District is not a faceless ‘storefront”; it is a group of citizens just like you, indeed, ones who likely contributed to the affordable housing programs that built BB in the first place. So the questions are: Is there pollution coming from Eastsound? What is it (and from that information, where does it come from)? If it comes from defective septic, why isn’t the County enforcing the law? (Please don’t say manpower shortages; there are something like 8 planners to every enforcement employee–why?). And finally, if the law requires buildings in the UGA to be hooked up, hook ’em up–the…