HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 11-18 Greavu literature called misleading REVIEW Greavu literature
called misleading
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by Scott Carlson permits and$15 surcharge. For a$40,000
Re-elected Maplewood city councilman . to $50,000 home that permit fee would
John Greavu was brought under attack by increase about$40 or$50 more,he added.
colleague Norman Anderson last Thur- But Greavu defended his figure of
sday night for a piece of literature in $2,900. He stated that the figure was
Greavu's campaign which was allegedly calculated by including eight percent
"misleading." interest over 30 years and it also includes
Greavu, in his literature, claimed that fees for electrical and heating permits.
citizens in the city who purchase modest "You start adding up the figure and it gets
homes can expect to pay$2,900 in permit pretty high," he said.
fees. Councilman Burton Murdock said, "I
Anderson, who said a number of can appreciate your criticism but as far
citizens called him on the piece of as permits are concerned they are
literature, said that checking with the necessary." He said they help to pay for
owner of a $55,000 bungalow in city personnel who must inspect building
Maplewood that individual had paid some to make sure they are up to code.
$1,760 in permits for the home. That in-
cluded: sewer availability charge, water But Greavu contended that the city
availability charge,and park availability inspectors are so busy that they have no
charge. time to enforce violations of the code. He
Councilman Donald Wiegert, who was added that once you come back after the
also recently re-elected by the voters in buildings are completed the contractors
the council elections, said he had always can "laugh in your face."
thought that the standard figure for Anderson, after listening to Greavu's
permit fees was about $1,100. explanation, said, "You made people
While none of the other councilmen think Maplewood was an exception." He
contended Maplewood is low on permit pointed out that other communities like
charges they indicated that the city is not Cottage Grove and Shoreview have park
way out of line with other communities. charges.
Anderson said that permit fees for Murdock agreed with Anderson. "You
residents in White Bear Lake are about really loaded it up pal," he said of
$1,000 and in Shoreview alone a person Greavu's figure.
can get charged$150 for a grading permit. Mayor Robert Bruton contended that a
City Manager Michael Miller said that a charge for parks,for example,is a matter
basic Maplewood list of permit fees for a of "do you want parks or don't you?"
$30,000 home includes $325 for the sewer Greavu said that it would be better to go
availability charge, $150 for the water to the voters to determine whether money
availability charge, $317 for the park should be set aside for park development
availability charge, $101.50 in building and land acquisition.