Board may act on questionnaire at July meeting.

Leland Township property owners seeking a survey to gauge interest in expanding the township's sewer system will have to wait a little longer.

The Township Board did not act on a recommendation from the township sewer commission to approve a proposed six-question survey that would help guide the township in any possible future sewer expansion. The board asked the sewer commission to write a cover letter to go with the survey, and give questions a final review. The board may act on the revised questionnaire at its July meeting.

Sewer administrator Steve Patmore said he developed the survey and questions as directed by the township board and sewer commission. The survey, if approved, will go to all waterfront property owners along the shoreline of north Lake Leelanau and to property owners near the village of Lake Leelanau who are currently not on the existing system.

Patmore said the sewer commission reviewed the preliminary survey questions last week and recommended the board approve the document as presented. The survey asks the following questions:

• In your opinion, do you think that the area where you live and/or own property in Leland Township should be served by a public sewer system?

• Are you interested in learning more about the possibility of public sewers in your area, including the estimated costs and the process of financing and constructing the sewer?

• Do you think that Leland Township should update a 1990 study on septic disposal around North Lake Leelanau?

• Would you attend a meeting to discuss sewage disposal issues, including the cost of public sewer, in Leland Township?

• Would you consider being on an advisory committee to discuss sewage disposal issues on North Lake Leelanau, including the cost of public sewer?

The sixth question asks the survey participant to describe their current septic or sewage system. The survey also includes space for comments about the issue for the township board to consider.

Township resident Steve Mikowski said the board should ask property owners if they have encountered water quality problems. He said the board should also include instructions on how property owners can properly petition the township to request an expansion of the existing sewer system or the building of a smaller, independent treatment facility.

Resident Terry Bovee said the cover letter or survey should include the cost of the ongoing Northport-Leelanau sewer system and the existing Leland Township system.

Patmore agreed with Mikowski’s assertion about the necessity of using the petition process to form a special assessment district to fund a sewer expansion. The results from the survey will be used for future planning by the sewer commission, according to Patmore.