Dewitt committee to examine sewer problems
DeWITT, Iowa — DeWitt residents who had water and sewage in their basements after recent heavy rains voiced their displeasure to the City Council this week, and city officials announced the formation of a committee to figure out how to solve the problem.
About two dozen people attended Monday’s City Council meeting, and several told council members there were long-standing issues with water and sewage backing up into local homes, mostly in the southeast corner of the city.
Dave Bauer said his home had about 6 inches of water in the basement after about 6 inches of rain fell on the city early July 4. He said many of his neighbors were hit worse.
“There’s a problem down there that needs to be resolved,” Bauer said. “We keep getting it and getting it and getting it, and quite frankly we’re tired of it.”
Mike Devine, who helped a friend clean up the water in his basement in the southeast corner of town, said the problem needs to be addressed if DeWitt is to continue growing.
“Why would anybody want to move to this community if we can’t address the basic needs?” Devine asked.
Mayor Don Thiltgen said the names of everyone who had notified the city about damage to their homes from the storm had been forwarded to the city’s insurance company for investigation. He also said council members Steve Hasenmiller and Carole Dunkin would lead a committee to study the sewer issues and suggest a solution. Thiltgen invited the concerned citizens to join the committee, and several volunteered.
In other business, the council voted to give the go-ahead for a German hausbarn to be taken apart, boxed up and sent to DeWitt to be reassembled in Lincoln Park.
The city has been working to raise funds for the project through grants and private donations, City Administrator Steve Lindner said. A group of volunteers in Schleswig, Germany, has been assembled to take apart the building, which is more than 200 years old.
Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.