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DANBURY, Conn. Imagine limiting the number of times you flush your toilet when it rains in Danbury. Or that the runoff floods your street and sometimes carries the foul stench of sewage. Ask residents of Johnson Drive up by Pembroke Terrace, and they will tell you that they live with those problems all the time.
Weve been fighting these issues for years, said Johnson Drive resident Lois Gillespie, who has lived on the street since 1976. Back then, there were no problems. But over the years, more development crept into the high-water table neighborhood and the troubles began.
We have a septic system thats only 10 years old, and already its not working well, resident Janet Albanesi said. We have it cleaned out all the time, but it does no good. Its not a very pleasant or healthy way to live.
The citys Engineering Department has looked into the matter and estimates that a new sewer system would cost about $840,000. That would have to be paid by the residents, as are similar sewer projects around Danbury.
The cost per household would amount to about $45,000 to $50,000, an assessment that would have to be paid over 19 years. That would come out to about $200 per month.
Our office doesnt offer an opinion on such projects one way or another, said Kelly Green, one of Danburys engineers. Residents make the request and we look at it. The costs are our best educated guess, based on the economy, the prices contractors are charging and materials.
The project was recently discussed by the City Council, which passed it along to an ad hoc committee for further evaluation.
But the proposal faces an uphill battle. Nineteen homeowners were surveyed about whether they favored the plan, and 12 said no, primarily because of the cost.
I can understand that, because we really cant afford it either, Albanesi said. But we cant not do it. Its like were stuck between a rock and a hard place, but with no drainage.
Johnson Drive resident Francine Quinn said shes not giving up. The lots are too small so we couldnt even get a new septic system, she said. Weve been waiting for this to come before the council for five years, and Im going to fight for it.
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