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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING <br />HELD AUGUST 23, 1993 <br />SEPTIC UPGRADES - CONT. <br />According to Mayor Callahan, in the Comp Plan Amendment presented to Met Council in <br />January of 1993, information suggested that 190 to 200 homes may require repair. Since that <br />time it appears that 600 to 800 homes may require improvement within five years It would be <br />possible to do a sewer project for $2 million and in cases where this has been done, the City has <br />made considerable contributions. In failing systems where a mound system was required, the <br />cost would be approximately $11,000. Where homes are not able to use a mound system or <br />some other type of repair, long range effects have not been considered. Callahan asked if Orono <br />would change its Comprehensive Plan. Council needs to further snidy the ramifications of the <br />septic ordinance. Callahan proposed a moratorium until November 1, 1993 to discuss the cost <br />and effect on citizens. <br />Kelley concurred noting there have been four to five new mound systems required in his <br />neighborhood and neighbors have discussed this with him. This whole process surted with the <br />DNR Shoreland Regulations that required restrictions within 1000’ of the lake. Jabbour added <br />that the 3’ separation has been in the code and observed by staff since 1978. Most of the septic <br />systems (approximately 6(X)) since then do meet the requirements. There is a limited number <br />of sewer units available to the City so there may not be many options. If all of the possible <br />neighborhoods idemified as potential sewered areas were to be sewered, there would not be <br />enough units available. Jabbour questioned if residents in these neighborhoods should be <br />notified that they are in a potential sewered area. If half of the homes in a particular area were <br />going to be required to install a mound system, maybe a sewer system should be considered and <br />residents should be aware of this. <br />Gaffron noted that all UE systems installed since 1978 have been required to meet this <br />standard. Hurr asked if a system installed 20 years ago would require some maintenance. Since <br />approximately half of the septic systems were installed prior to 1978, how many have required <br />repair. Gaffron thought a significant number have been upgraded and most have been <br />maintained by pumping. Until 1989 the Sute codes did not define an existing system that did <br />not meet the standard as non-conforming. Orono adopted that State code in 1992. Gaffron <br />staled the City has taken a closer look at existing systems to try to estimate how many systems <br />may need to be replaced. This is difficult until inspections have been completed. Kelley asked <br />for information on the results of the inspections Weekman has made this year on septic systems. <br />This may give an indication of the number of systems that may need replacing. <br />Kelley added that although some systems installed after 1978 met the Code at the time of <br />instalUtion. they arc not meeting the 3’ separation today. Gaffron noted that new technologies <br />have been developed so the information from site evaluators prior to the early 1980 s may not <br />be accurate.