Friday, June 1, 2001
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Friday, June 1, 2001 |
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Think before annexing, Senoia I regularly attend Senoia City Council meetings. At the May 7 meeting, the council discussed the possibility of reconsidering annexation of property on Rockaway Road. I was troubled by some of the mayor's statements concerning the greater Twin Lakes area, the undeveloped 800 acres. In response to Councilman Hannah's desire to be sure services can be provided to the present Senoia before annexing additional property, Mayor Trammell implied that the greater Twin Lakes would have to fend for itself. The mayor did state she was not referring to the present residential area. Trammell suggested that 200 acres might need to be donated for future land application of treated sewer water. These comments raise some serious questions :• Can land application of treated water be on watershed property where water runs into the source of the community's drinking water? • If it is legal, is it desirable? Will the cost of water treatment increase? • Where will the wastewater be treated? • If it's treated at the Southern Mills' site, wastewater from Twin Lakes will ... need to be pumped up a hill to the treatment plant and then pumped back up more than one hill to a Twin Lakes application site. What is the cost? • If it is treated at Twin Lakes, what will be the cost of the new treatment plant? • If greater Twin Lakes were to be sold off and developed piecemeal, which owner is to donate the 200 acres? • If the city of Senoia has to buy additional land for wastewater application, what will be the cost and how will we pay for it? Steve Entrekin has estimated what his development will provide in taxes and has stated what he is paying to connect the development to Senoia's sewer system. What also needs to be taken into consideration is the other side of the ledger; what will be the total cost yearly to provide the necessary services to these additional homes? Households in general cost a local government more than they contribute in tax money. Households are consumers, not producers. Commercial development is necessary to produce revenue to sustain a community. Entrekin also mentioned what he has contributed to legal fees for the city's battle with the County over annexation. This contribution should in no way influence each member's vote regarding annexation of his properties. I agree with Councilman Bob Hannah. In order that a wise decision be made, a clear whole picture is needed first. Senoia is responsible for planning to meet the needs of the entire city now and in the future. The greater Twin Lakes area is already part of Senoia. Do not relegate these 800-plus acres of watershed area that drain into our future drinking water to septic tanks. I encourage the mayor and City Council to get the big picture before annexing additional land. I urge the citizens of Senoia to demand it. Our future, including our health, is at stake.
Mary Provost Senoia
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