ROCKLAND, Maine — A proposed ordinance that would require a camera inspection of sewer lines for anyone wishing to add on to their homes or sell their properties is being opposed by local real estate professionals.
The proposed ordinance will come back before the city council on Monday night for another preliminary vote.
“While we are appreciative of the city’s resolve to address obvious failures within the infrastructure system that desperately need attention, we fail to see a value-added benefit to the public by expensive, mandatory inspections of individual lines. The opportunity is already available and encouraged in every real estate transaction or in a remodeling project, regardless if a bathroom is involved,” said Russell Wolfertz Jr., who has been designated to be the spokesman for the Mid-Coast Board of Realtors.
“We believe the taxpayers and business owners are not fully aware of the impact of this ‘user fee (tax),’ if that is an appropriate term. Discussion of the topic seems to have been limited, finding exact ordinance language challenging and a full explanation of the purpose and value lacking, in our estimation,” Wolfertz said Tuesday.
The Mid-Coast Board of Realtors has more than 100 members.
The council discussed the matter Monday night during its session to set the agenda for the regular monthly meeting scheduled for next Monday, Dec. 8. The council had voted in October to postpone the matter until December following concerns by several residents.
Those residents turned out again Monday night, saying the ordinance would place a financial burden on homeowners.
The wastewater plant superintendent pointed out, however, that making homeowners responsible for replacing faulty sewer lines from the foundation to the city main under the street is already in the current law that has been in place since when the treatment plant was built in the 1970s.
The major difference between the current law and the proposed new one is that inspections would be mandated when a home is being sold, when an additional bathroom is being added or when an addition of 25 percent or more is made to the house.
Terry Pinto, the city’s wastewater treatment director, defended the requirement, saying that someone would have to pay for a faulty line and that it makes sense a potential homebuyer would be informed about sewage problems before buying a house.
He said if the homeowner wasn’t required to pay the cost of the sewer line replacement or repair, all users would be required to pay through additional fees. He said there is no other source of money.
The council gave the measure preliminary approval on Sept. 8 and was considering final approval on Oct. 15 before concerns were voiced. Because changes were made to the ordinance, it is expected to go back to an initial vote next Monday night. If the measure gains majority support on the council, it would face a formal public hearing and final vote on Jan. 12.
Councilor Valli Geiger said it seems crazy to require homeowners to pay for the section of the lines that run under the street. Pinto said that is already the law in Rockland.
Mayor Frank Isganitis said he was still trying to understand the circumstances and taxpayer concerns.
“I heard a sentiment that ‘the city’ should be responsible [both for work and cost], not the taxpayer. The city is the taxpayers/citizens, so what does that mean? Should you be responsible for my property and visa versa? I hope to glean some additional insight,” Isganitis said Wednesday.
The city charges $140 to conduct an inspection in which it uses a remote-controlled camera on wheels to inspect a line. He said the city generally can arrange for an inspection within a couple days. He said a private company also does the work for $120.
The cost of replacing the line, if it is faulty, would depend on the length of the line and where the main is located on the road that runs by the home.