LIMA — Time constraints forced a delay in deciding the fate of a petitioned ditch project west of Lima.
Allen County Commissioners held a final hearing for the Indian Brook and Wildbrook Estates ditch project Thursday at the Senior Citizens Center, which had approximately 100 affected residents in attendance. The 3.4-mile project, first petitioned in November 2013, runs from Spencerville Road just west of Wapak Road north through the Indian Brook subdivision and continuing north until it deposits in the Ottawa River south of Allentown Road. The project involves clearing several open ditches, as well as removing culvert blockages and several logjams.
The Allen County Engineer’s Office estimates the total cost for the project to be just over $570,000, with the cost to be divided among all 896 parcel owners based on the amount of land in the watershed and the condition of the soil.
Several residents spoke both in favor and against the project, with so much discussion taking place that commissioners were unable to bring the project to a vote.
“I think the benefits exceed the assessment costs,” Kent Morgan said.
“I’ve been lucky that my house hasn’t been flooded, but my front yard is a river a lot of times,” Jerry Warren said. “I’m for this. It saves my neighbors and helps them out.”
Several residents took issue with the project’s assessments, saying that those paying the most are receiving the least benefit.
“Many of the individuals who are trying to push this through and will see the most benefit from this are paying pennies on the dollar compared to what other individuals farther down the river are going to pay,” Mike Thompson said.
“Our total assessment will be somewhere around $27,000,” John Patrick said. “While I understand people get flooded basements, and I certainly feel for them, some of them will only be charged $200, in some cases, which is ridiculous.”
No timetable has been set to resume the hearing.
