He said that during the meeting, costs for monthly sewer services were conservatively estimated at $50 per household.
"Our median income is $45,000 a year and I am worried about whether people can afford $50 or $60 a month," he said. "I want to make sure we have to do it before we decide."
Pitman conceded it is uncertain how much time Burgin will have to make a decision.
"It could get started in one year, it could be more than that," he said. "They have told us that we might be forced into it for the last 10 years. We probably have to make this happen eventually, though, so we want to make sure we keep our place in line."
Environmental concerns
The sanitation district has identified Burgin as a priority for a sanitary sewer project primarily because of the current environmental situation. Burgin residents use septic systems that could leak into streams, groundwater and Lake Herrington.
The plan depends in large part on how much state and federal money the sanitation district and the city can secure.
However, Pitman also believes obtaining grants would not solve all the fiscal issues and could present additional challenges.
"Even if they fully fund this through grants and pay everyone's bill for a year, there is eventually going to be that hardship down the line," he said. "Also, if we receive HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) grant money, we can't use that to pay for tap-on fees. If it gets built, then we have to tap on, and I would not want to pass that on either."
Bluegrass ADD requires the city to conduct a public facility survey that, among other things, asks people to disclose their household income range.
A similar questionnaire of the area in 1999 conducted by HUD was met with resistance from some citizens who felt it was too intrusive.
Pitman does not foresee the same problems.
"That survey was basically a lot more in depth and people didn't like that one bit," Pitman said. "I don't think the reaction will be as negative."
The issue cannot be put on the ballot for a referendum, but Pitman would like to see it discussed in an open forum during the coming year.
"We need to talk about this as a community," he said. "We have to talk to everybody - citizens, churches, schools, and businesses - that are going to use this."
