The following is an important message regarding the proper use of the AuSable Township sewer system. Click here to read the full notice
This is to inform you of the upcoming deadline to hook up to the Municipal Sewer system. Phase two and Phase three, of which you are part, was completed on September 20, 2022. Our Ordinance and State Law (Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978), require that if a Municipal Sewer system is available, the resident must hook up within 540 days of availability. The deadline for Sewer Hookup is March 13, 2024. Please note that violations of the ordinance are pursued by the Township as municipal civil infractions. The ordinance and the applicable statutes call for up to a $500 fine for each violation, along with the imposition of costs of up to another $500 (including the Township’s Attorney Fees). And the District Court will be authorized to issue injunctive orders to require compliance with the ordinance. Those who fail to fully comply with the District Court’s injunctive orders may then be held in contempt of court and punished by jail and additional fines and costs. In addition in some instances, the Township may obtain a lien against the real estate for its costs. I invite you to go onto our website at ausabletwp-MI.gov to look at a list of contractors that are known by the Township to do the Sewer hookups. Please if you have any questions about the necessary actions to complete the Sewer hookup or the deadline, reach out to either the Water Department or myself. Eric Strayer Superintendent (989)739-9169
It has been a while since we have updated the public as to the progression of the sewer project on US 23. With that said, as of 06/27/2023 we now have 127 locations that have completed and are actively using the sewer system. If you are in the second phase area (4000 N US 23 – 3354 N US 23) or third phase area (3325 N US 23 – 3006 N US 23) your last date to hook up to the system without being in violation is MARCH 13, 2024. With Michigan weather conditions being what they are, it is important that you take that into consideration.
The US 23 Sewer project is moving as scheduled and ended the 2022 year with an additional estimated hook up of 100 locations. It is our goal to see that this year is just as successful. Just a reminder those in the first phase have until June 25, 2023 to hook up.
9/20/2022 Dear AuSable Township Property Owner, This letter is sent as Notice of Availability to you as the owner of property in AuSable Township, that Phase 2 and 3 (South of Johnson Rd. - 3006 N US 23) of the public sanitary sewer system is available for connection to your property. Please read this carefully and refer questions about this information to Deb in our DPW department at 989-739-1838. Michigan Act 368 of 1978 and AuSable Township Ordinances 42,120 and 131 (copies of which are available in the township hall) require property owners to connect to the AuSable Township sewer system within 540 days (March 13, 2024) if:
April 28, 2022
Progress is currently being made on our new sewer infrastructure. Photos of Lake Street Lift station replacement, photo credit Robert Decker.
March 24, 2022
With weather improving we will soon be seeing crews back on the US 23 Sewer project. As you are aware, this project has been divided into three phases of completion. Those effected in phase one are within the following addresses 4221 N US 23 - 4011 N US 23 and were notified in a letter dated January 2022 that the infrastructure is now ready for those residents to plan with their contractors to hook into the system. The timeline for completion of phase one residences is 270 days, which would be September 28, 2022. Also included, a sewer permit must be completed by your contractor and returned with the required fee of $25.00 for the sewer application and inspection fee of $150.00 upon completion of their work on your property.
Please note that a list of contractors supplied in this section, at the bottom of the Sewer Extension tab for your convenience. Just a reminder that AuSable Township is not endorsing those listed contractors.
At this point the timeline will look as such for phase one residents:
12/01/2021 AuSable Township Residents: Due to multiple questions from residents, we are sending the following clarification to all residents affected by the Sewer Extension Project. Under certain circumstances some properties will be able to defer connection to the system to a future date. Parcels of real property that include structures from which sanitary sewage currently originates, and which are currently being served by an approved and fully functional septic system (including a septic tank, a drain field, and all necessary accessories) that was installed and approved by the District Health Department after January 1, 2010, will not be required to connect the structures in which sanitary sewage originates to the Township’s available public sanitary sewer system, as long as all the following requirements are satisfied: •A municipal sewer lead will be installed, and the owner will be required to pay the debt reduction fee (DRF) from the date the sewer system is available for service at their property. •The owner of the structure must, following the publication of Notice of Availability above, promptly provide the Township with proof satisfactory to the Township proving the installation and approval dates of the septic system, and establishing that the septic system meets all applicable local, state, federal, and District Health Department ordinances, statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements; and, every 3 years thereafter, the owner must submit to the Township certification from the District Health Department approving the continued use of the septic system. It is the owner’s responsibility to timely schedule and pay the applicable fee for the District Health Department inspections. •The septic system must remain unchanged; it may not be upgraded, improved, or repaired; it must continue to be eligible for District Health Department approval in its “as built” condition; and, once the septic system is unable to properly serve the structure in its as built condition, the owner of the structure will be required to promptly connect the structure to the Township’s available public sanitary sewer system. •In no case shall a private septic system remain in service beyond 15 years of its original installation date where the public sewer system is available. Please call if you have questions or need further information from AuSable Township.
PROJECT UPDATE NOVEMBER 1, 2021 Elmers has the underground bore for the 6” directional of 3894’ done, the 6” short laterals were 1,860 linear ft., 23” PVC main has 3,232’ done, and 10 manhole structures in place. The main pipe is at the address of 3598 N. US 23 and the lateral bore was at 3595 N. US 23. The concrete company was a “no show” on Friday, which may delay their work until Spring. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROJECT UPDATE OCTOBER 4, 2021 There are directional drills under US 23 of 3,134 ft. in, 12” sewer main itself at 1,734 linear ft, short laterals are at 1,136 ft in, manhole structures are now at 7, and the First Phase has had restoration and hydroseeding on that section. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROJECT UPDATE SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 The sewer new line has begun just past Lakeside and it’s completed south to Johnson Rd. This consists of 12-inch sewer main, which is 1,678 ft, also laterals going to the west side of US 23 (1,895 ft.) and east side (1,089 ft.) and includes 6 manhole structures. There is still work to do on the manholes and eventually the installation of cameras with the inspection of the sewer main. If everything is satisfactory, the first section will be able to start hook-ups. This section is gravity fed and is connected to a existing line which then continues to the sewer treatment facility. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROJECT UPDATE SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 If you are not a full time resident and are part of the sewer extension project, please call Debbie at 739-9169 to provide a good contact phone number where you can be reached for any questions. If you are a contractor looking for information regarding the sewer extension project, please call Cal Taylor at 820-5754 As of today’s date, they have put over 950 ft. of sewer line in, 2 manholes, and 13 services (8 short lateral on lake side and 5 long directional on west side of US 23). This phase will continue to Johnson Road which has been a bit slow because of the dewatering. A few homes do not have city water, therefore they will need to have a meter install or a flat rate charged to them.
The installation of the sewer line began on Monday August 9, 2021. Moving south from approximately 4270 N US 23 to Johnson Road. This should be completed in approximately 3 weeks. Once that portion is completed they will move to the location of the new lift station located by the condo's and head north to Johnson Road. That phase should take approximately 3 weeks. From there they will go back by the Condo's and begin moving south. We will continue to update this page as information is made available. If you have any questions regarding timelines for hooking up, disconnecting from your septic or similiar, please refer to Ordinance 120 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Township Hall. 989-739-9169
The contractors bidding on the project have been telling us that due to equipment components delays, the time frame to get a new electrical panel built from submittal to field delivery is almost 6 months. In order to receive competitive bids we may extend the completion date to June 2022 for final site restoration and March 2022 for the US 23 Extension work. Estimated time schedule based upon material and equipment delays would be as follows:
The original timeline for this project was starting in January and completing in July. Due to a number of delays, this timeline has had to change and adjust. We are now anticipating a completion date in September. The project is being completed in a southernly direction. As phases are completed, property owners will be notified that they can contact their contractors to complete the hook up. A list of excavators and plumbers obtained from permits submitted to the County over the last two years is available at the bottom of this page. Financial: The cost of the project is covered by 75% Grant in the amount of $4,767,000.00, 25% Bond in the amount of $1,589,000.00 and at this time we have consistently communicated that bond amount breaks down to an estimate of $25 per hook up, per month for the duration of the loan (40 years). After reviewing the numbers, which do not include hookups beyond the required 200 feet from the right of way and the vacant lots, the $25 monthly debt retirement fee that we have been communicating is higher than what we will be actually charging. It is a worst-case scenario figure, even with escalating construction costs. As stated previously, if the project goes extremely over budget during the bid process, AuSable Township Board of Trustees still has the ability to stop the project. However, this was factored into the numbers that we have been communicating and will not likely be the case. The debt reduction fee begins once the lead is installed at your property and you are notified. The debt reduction fee will not fluctuate for the duration of the USDA loan. Project Scope: Within the project, there are 40 vacant parcels, 22 residences more than 200 feet from the right of way and 178 within the mandatory 200 feet from the right of way. Staff has been communicating with the vacant parcel owners and the residences beyond 200 feet to ensure that all who want a lead will have one installed. If these property owners want the lead installed, they are committing to the debt reduction fee. All new hookups and leads are committing.
On Monday August 3, 2020, AuSable Township received an offer from the USDA for a 75% grant / 25% loan at 1.125% interest for the sewer extension project extending from the 4200’s on US 23 south to approximately 3008 US 23. This letter is intended to help answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Which side of the road will this be placed? The sewer extension will be placed in the right of way on the east side of US 23. The limits of the right of way can be measured 100 feet from the center line of US 23 each way. The municipal sewer will serve both east and west sides of US 23.
When will the construction begin? Construction is tentatively planned to start in January 2021 and completed in July 2021.
What about the bike path? The Iron Belle Trail project is still in the works. There are delays due to Covid-19 and we do not have a new timeline yet.
What about the sewer lagoon project? The lagoon preliminary engineering report has been completed; however, we separated the two projects to ensure that those landowners in desperate need of sewer could receive it as quickly as possible. We will continue to investigate the feasibility of the lagoon project to stabilize sewer treatment costs for AuSable Township residents.
Will I have to connect to the sewer extension and when? Per state law, if your residence is within 200 feet from the edge of the right of way, you must connect to the sewer.
Au Sable Township Ordinance Section II (d) states:
What do I do about my septic tank? District Health Department No.2 has provided the following information. ABANDONED SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Any sewage disposal system which is no longer in use and has been replaced by a connection to a municipal sewer, or a successor sewage disposal system, shall be abandoned in a manner so as to prevent a nuisance or hazard to public health.
Any septic tank which is no longer in use shall be emptied by a licensed septage hauler and filled with clean compacted soil and/or aggregate.
(2) Soil Absorption System Removal
When soil absorption system material is removed, the material shall be placed in an area that is at least fifty (50) feet from surface water, fifty (50) feet from all private wells, and seventy-five (75) feet from all Type II or III Public Water Supply wells. The material shall be covered with at least six (6) inches of clean soil within twenty-four (24) hours. Any stone, drainpipe, blocks, or similar materials shall not be exposed to the ground surface. The soil absorption system material shall not be placed within eighteen (18) inches of the seasonal high-water table.
(3) Transport of Soil Absorption System Materials
When soil absorption system materials are removed from a premise, precautions shall be taken to prevent liquids and other materials from being released from the transport vehicle.
How will we connect to the new sewer system? Property owners will need to hire a contractor to connect from the sewer lead at edge of the right of way to the building. That contractor will work in conjunction with AuSable Township DPW to ensure that installation is correct. You can contact the Oscoda AuSable Chamber of Commerce for a list of qualified contractors. Their number is 989-739-7322
Will there be a Special Assessment? There is no special assessment for this project. However, there will be a monthly sewer debt fee that will be included with each billing to the customers along US 23 for this project. This fee will pay for the township’s loan portion of the project.
How much will the sewer debt fee be? Estimates right now are $24.00 a month. The final amount will be determined once the project is complete.
What other sewer use fees will be charged? A monthly fee for the Township’s operations and maintenance costs and the treatment (gallonage) cost that AuSable currently pays to Oscoda Township. This cost will be based upon the Townships sewer use ordinance.
We hope that this communication helps answer your questions. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to call the superintendent at 739-9169 or email at superintendent@ausabletownship.net .
District Health Department 2 Letter of Support can be seen here
The Single-Family Housing 504 Direct Home Repair Program provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair improve, or modernize their homes and or provides grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Click HERE to download PDF 502 Direct Singe Family Housing Mortage Loan The Single-Family Housing 502 Direct Loan Program assists low and very low-income applicants obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant's repayment ability. Click HERE to download PDF
Due to the construction of the new sewer line along US-23, a portion of the bike path needed to be re-surveyed and engineered. Engineers update May 5, 2022: Topo survey will be wrapped up next week. Our crews have been depleted a bit in the last few weeks due to staff being sick. The wetlands will be flagged on or before May 20; required for the EGLE permit. Continuing to work on the EGLE permit. Design will begin within a few days of the topo being done. I’d like to set up our first review meeting, virtually or in person, towards the end of June. We can determine the actual date in the coming weeks. The total cost to build this section of the trail is estimated at $3,115,142.00. Funding, at this time, totals $2,789.335.00, leaving the Township responsible for approximately $326,000.00. We will be out pounding the pavement for donations this summer and would appreciate any contribution offered. Donations: www.ioscoexplorationtrail.org/donate.html Thank you, Kelly Graham AuSable Township Clerk
This project will impact 20 parcels in the designated area, affording the option of municipal water service at a cost to the property owner. AuSable Township would like to inform you that the watermain extension on Hilltop and Gowen is complete and is ready for service. AuSable Township will give each property owner the option to hook-up to this system at an estimated cost of $ 2258.00 which will cover the tap fee as well as the meter pit cost. It will then be the homeowners’ responsibility to make the necessary arrangements with an experienced contractor of your choice to hook-up your home to the water connection. Please follow the Standards for water service lines you have been provided. The township can supply (at cost) the required High-Density Polyethylene pipe for your convenience. All cost hooking-up to the water connection to your home will be the burden of each homeowner. Please follow the procedure below:
Grant that has been received from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Testing of private water wells in AuSable Charter Township (AuSable) located in Iosco County shows that groundwater in the area has been impacted by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. This testing shows that your particular area has been impacted and will be included in the project to extend the Water main to your residence. This Grant will extend the AuSable water distribution system along Pine Street, Chester Road, O’Toole Street, and 4th and 5th Streets looping back along Mayberry Street and Farnsworth Street. This effort involves the installation of approximately 4,400 linear feet of new watermain. After the watermain extension is completed, approximately 25 homes along the new watermain path will be connected to the municipal water system. Current water wells will be abandoned as part of this project.This 1.4 million dollar project will include the hook up of the municipal water service to your home. This is of no cost to the homeowner.
AuSable Township would like to inform you that the watermain on McNall drive is complete and is ready for service. AuSable Township will give each property owner the option to hook-up to this system at an estimated cost of $ 1832.00 which will cover the tap fee as well as the meter pit cost. It will then be the homeowners’ responsibility to make the necessary arrangements with an experienced contractor of your choice to hook-up your home to the water connection. Please follow the Standards for water service lines you have been provided. The township can supply (at cost) the required High-Density Polyethylene pipe for your convenience. All cost hooking-up to the water connection to your home will be the burden of each homeowner. Please follow the procedure below:
The AuSable Township would like to inform you that the watermain on Johnson road is complete and is ready for service. AuSable Township will give each property owner the option to hook-up to this system at an estimated cost (contact office for this amount), which will cover the tap fee as well as the meter pit cost. It will then be the homeowners’ responsibility to make the necessary arrangements with an experienced contractor of your choice to hook-up your home to the water connection. Please follow the Standards for water service lines you have been provided. The township can supply (at cost) the required High-Density Polyethylene for your convenience. All cost hooking-up to the water connection to your home will be the burden of each homeowner. Please follow the procedure below:
What is the purpose or goal of the project?
McCuaig Park is an under-utilized asset in AuSable Township. AuSable Township wants to create a multi-use park that can be used by local residents, tourists and visitors of all ages and abilities. The multi-use park will include the following features: A 10-foot wide one mile long paved walking/jogging/biking/wheelchair path around the perimeter of the park with two multi-use courts that include lines painted for a regulation size basketball court, a regulation size tennis court and a regulation size pickleball court, an off-leash dog park, an all-inclusive ADA compliant playground, two renovated softball/baseball fields, lighting, security cameras and an ADA accessible vault restroom.
AuSable Township wants to provide a safe place where residents can recreate year-round. The dog park and the multi-use path will be open year-round. The walking/jogging/biking/wheelchair path will be maintained by the township’s Department of Public Works (DPW) year-round. The park can also be used for cross country skiing in the winter.
We will be upgrading existing lighting and installing a new security system that can be monitored by telephone or computers.
Construction will include removal of trees around the perimeter and through a section of the park to create and pave the figure 8 walking/jogging/biking/wheelchair path, paving a parking lot that provides accessibility to the playground, dog park and path, fencing the dog park, demolition, removal and replacement of the tennis courts; putting in two multi-purpose courts, and improving the ball fields. Accessible playground equipment and ADA compliant ground cover for the playground will be purchased with grant funds.
The walking/biking/wheelchair path will be 10 feet wide, with cross-slopes under 2% and running slopes under 5%. The path will have a surface of either concrete or asphalt. The path will include benches every .25 miles as resting stations, and provide easy access to restrooms and drinking fountains.
The playground will have both ramp and transfer access to all play components. The flooring for the playground will be poured-in-place rubber. The playground will include a deck transfer platform with one open transfer side and one side with transfer steps to every entry/exit point of every climber, so kids climbing up can get down to the deck to move to another component. The playground will also include a good variety of things to manipulate that make noise or music, include high contrast/bright colors, games that two kids can play, and Braille and sign language panels. The play panels will be easy to operate with just one hand with a whole fist and will not require tight/pinch/grasp/wrist twist to operate. There will be high contrast colors for decks versus transfers so kids with low vision can perceive a change in level. Play panels will be located at heights so they can be used from a seated position or standing.
For many seniors or people with disabilities in AuSable Township, their dog is their loyal companion. The dog park will include a latching gate into an entry and then a second gate into the dog park to ensure that dogs can’t escape. The dog park will be fenced. To meet universal design requirements, the dog park will have wider gates to accommodate someone in a larger outdoor wheelchair (or someone pushing a stroller). The gate will have a one hand operable latch mechanism located at a height that is easily reachable from a seated position. There will be wider accessible perimeter paths into all dog run areas with level transitions into the run area for pets. The pet waste clean-up dispensers will be reachable from a seated or standing position and by children.
Both sides of the multi-use courts will be accessible by wheelchair. Wider gate openings will accommodate wider sports wheelchairs.
The parking area will be paved to provide easy access over a flat, solid surface to the playground, dog park, path and restrooms. There will be 8 parking spaces, including 2 ADA compliant, accessible paved parking spaces. The accessible parking spots will be paved, striped and signed and will provide direct access to the park elements.
The vault toilet will be a unisex/single user toilet room/unit so opposite sex care givers can provide assistance. The rest room will be located near the playground, dog park and parking lot.
Two drinking fountains, located near the rest room, will meet accessibility guidelines.
Phase 2 of the project includes an outdoor skating rink, creating exercise stations, and purchasing exercise equipment for the exercise stations.
