HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 06-03 Maplewood to assume more Battle Creek assessments THE REVIEW Maplewood to assume more
Battle Creek assessments \IT7� s4 �
By JONATHON CLYDE GLASS formula.Rate adjustments of five to 10 owners throughout the area who will
Staff Writer percent would have been reasonable,but benefit from the general improvements
some of the adjustments are as high as 70 and only 20 percent to the people with
The Ramsey-Washington Metro percent,he said. Three sub-watersheds property adjacent to the creek — was
Watershed District gave final approval within Maplewood have the highest changed to a 50-50 split, according to
for the Battle Creek Improvement assessment rate of any sub-watersheds Haider.The district also eliminated some
Project at its April 30 meeting. inthe district,he said. of the improvements east of Century
The district also made some last minute Avenue in Woodbury,Haider said.
changes in the formula for levying "THE LARGE increases and decreases
assessments against nearby landowners may have a significant influence on a The Woodbury erosion problems may
and shifted a greater share of the cost to property owner's position concerning the cause more sediment to be dumped
Maplewood and St.Paul residents. project.Some attempt should be made to downstream, thus increasing main-
"Maplewood and St.Paul got the brunt involve the public in this rather major tenance costs in Maplewood, Greavu
of the cost increases because they have change in the project financing,"he said. noted.
more property owners close to the creek," Maplewood Public Works Director The Watershed District will probably
said Dennis Palmer, vice president of Kenneth Haider agreed with the mayor not consider changing the assessment
Barr Engineering in Edina and consultant that the assessments were changed formula again,according to Palmer.
to the Watershed District. Property without adequate public notice or corn- "It's not likely that this letter can
owners in Oakdale, Woodbury, Lake ment.The Watershed District may have change the financial assessment,"he said
Elmo and Landfall will generally pay a assumed erroneously that public hearings in regard to Greavu's letter.
smaller amount,he continued. this winter were enough, he noted. Palmer is hopeful that the levies will be
Maplewood's total share of the cost Property owners who only faced $200 assessed this fall so they can be collected
increased by 1.3 percent, or ap- assessments may not have been too with the 1982 taxes. If the levies are
proximately$80,000,he added. concerned in February,"but now that it's delayed,the district will have to sell extra
Maplewood officials responded to the a$1200 assessment,they might get a little bonds to raise the cash to start work this
news grimly.In a May 21 letter to the put out,"Haider added. fall or winter,he said.Final completion of
Watershed District, Mayor John C. The district's original plan—assessing the project is expected in early 1983,
Greavu protested the new assessment 80 percent of the overall cost to property Palmer said.