City hopes $60,000 will wrap-up costs of Chenango Lake lawsuit
NORWICH – The City of Norwich Common Council authorized an additional $60,000 Tuesday night for the costs of the Chenango Lake lawsuit. With a settlement in the works, the city hopes the money will take them through to the end of the litigation.
The city has been involved in the Chenango Lake lawsuit since January of 2003. Litigation that originally was between two Chenango Lake property owners soon grew to include every property owner around Chenango Lake, including the City of Norwich, which uses the lake as its primary water source.
Since 2003, the city council has spent approximately $142,000 on legal fees associated with the lawsuit. In early April, lawyers from Hancock and Estabrook told city officials a settlement agreement had been accepted by the city and was being considered by the other property owners; however since that time, additional bills for services leading up the trial have been submitted. The unpaid balance totals $51,532. Roberts estimated that an additional $5,000 would be needed for final fees. He rounded that figure up to $60,000.
Tuesday night the council authorized an additional $60,000 could be used for the costs of the lawsuit.
“Is this the end?” asked Fourth Ward Alderman Walter Schermerhorn. “Or are there still things pending?”
City Finance Director William Roberts explained that there was no guarantee that the additional $60,000 would be the last money needed for the lawsuit, however, he said the attorneys have indicated that it should carry the lawsuit through to the end. “I’m not sure they can guarantee that,” Roberts said, explaining that it will depend on the property owners’ response to the settlement agreement.
The settlement would require property owners around Chenango Lake to upgrade their septic systems if they wished to become year-round residents. (The property was previously designated for seasonal – summer – residences only.) Anyone wishing to become a year-round resident would be required to sign a conservation easement, which would require them to upgrade their septic system anytime Department of Health or local municipal standards change. The septic systems would also have to be certified by a professional engineer and approved by the City Department of Public Works.
Roberts reported that so far the outlook has been positive. Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson said he has only heard of one negative response to the settlement agreement.
The city has been involved in the Chenango Lake lawsuit since January of 2003. Litigation that originally was between two Chenango Lake property owners soon grew to include every property owner around Chenango Lake, including the City of Norwich, which uses the lake as its primary water source.
Since 2003, the city council has spent approximately $142,000 on legal fees associated with the lawsuit. In early April, lawyers from Hancock and Estabrook told city officials a settlement agreement had been accepted by the city and was being considered by the other property owners; however since that time, additional bills for services leading up the trial have been submitted. The unpaid balance totals $51,532. Roberts estimated that an additional $5,000 would be needed for final fees. He rounded that figure up to $60,000.
Tuesday night the council authorized an additional $60,000 could be used for the costs of the lawsuit.
“Is this the end?” asked Fourth Ward Alderman Walter Schermerhorn. “Or are there still things pending?”
City Finance Director William Roberts explained that there was no guarantee that the additional $60,000 would be the last money needed for the lawsuit, however, he said the attorneys have indicated that it should carry the lawsuit through to the end. “I’m not sure they can guarantee that,” Roberts said, explaining that it will depend on the property owners’ response to the settlement agreement.
The settlement would require property owners around Chenango Lake to upgrade their septic systems if they wished to become year-round residents. (The property was previously designated for seasonal – summer – residences only.) Anyone wishing to become a year-round resident would be required to sign a conservation easement, which would require them to upgrade their septic system anytime Department of Health or local municipal standards change. The septic systems would also have to be certified by a professional engineer and approved by the City Department of Public Works.
Roberts reported that so far the outlook has been positive. Department of Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson said he has only heard of one negative response to the settlement agreement.
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