Milton grants septic until November

Milton town council has given a local family until November to tie in to the town's wastewater system after it was discovered the family had inadvertently been operating a private sewer system.

The unusual case came before council at a May 21 meeting regarding town officials' discovery that a private sewer system, illegal in the town code and punishable by fine and termination of service, has been operating at 507 Bennett St.

Joshua Sehn, whose mother owns the house, said the family was unaware they were not tied into the town sewer system, which is owned by Tidewater Utilities. Sehn said the family bought the house in 1987, and the septic system had already been installed. He said they assumed it had been grandfathered in. Town officials said to their knowledge, this is the only system like this in town.

Neither Sehn nor town officials could say when the system was put in or how this one was overlooked for so long. Councilman Emory West said the town sewer system was installed in 1960. Mayor Ted Kanakos said town officials found out by accident that Sehn's family was not hooked up to the sewer system.

Sehn said the family would have fixed it sooner, but they do not have the income to do the work at this time. Public Works Supervisor Greg Wingo said the sewer tie-in was estimated to cost $8,000. Sehn asked town council to give the family until November to do the tie-in, as they will have the money then.

He said the system is in good shape and has not had any malfunctions. The council granted his request, but also asked that the septic system be cleaned up in the process.