Heritage Lake Residents Could Pay Hundreds in Road Repairs
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: June 20, 2012
TAZEWELL COUNTY- It could cost residents in a subdivision hundreds of dollars a year to fix their roads.
The asphalt is crumbling, but that's just the start of road problems in Heritage Lake. Residents said that something needs to be done.
Joe Kneip said, "With the winter, the winter time they get very dangerous."
Julie Rhodes said, "They've been working on them so there's repairs being made, but I think we're putting a Band-Aid on it.
Right now the roads are private, and the Heritage Lake Association can't afford to make the repairs. It's looking to Tazewell County for help.
The Tazewell Highway Department said that repaving the roads isn't enough. A lot needs to be done before the township takes over maintenance.
"New signs, roadway signs, drainage improvements, cutting ditches," are just some of the things that need to be fixed, according to Tazewell County Engineer John Anderson.
Rhodes said she's not sure how everything will work out.
"I think we are all aware we're going to have to pay something. Question is how much?" Rhodes asked.
The association is trying to make a deal with Tazewell County.The county could issue bonds to finance repairs.
If that happens, residents would have to repay the bonds. That would cost each homeowner about $600 a year for 20 years.
"That's what we would require them to do so the township isn't burdened with something less than standard," Anderson said.
The homeowners' association hasn't made a deal with the county yet. The county won't step in until that happens.
The asphalt is crumbling, but that's just the start of road problems in Heritage Lake. Residents said that something needs to be done.
Joe Kneip said, "With the winter, the winter time they get very dangerous."
Julie Rhodes said, "They've been working on them so there's repairs being made, but I think we're putting a Band-Aid on it.
Right now the roads are private, and the Heritage Lake Association can't afford to make the repairs. It's looking to Tazewell County for help.
The Tazewell Highway Department said that repaving the roads isn't enough. A lot needs to be done before the township takes over maintenance.
"New signs, roadway signs, drainage improvements, cutting ditches," are just some of the things that need to be fixed, according to Tazewell County Engineer John Anderson.
Rhodes said she's not sure how everything will work out.
"I think we are all aware we're going to have to pay something. Question is how much?" Rhodes asked.
The association is trying to make a deal with Tazewell County.The county could issue bonds to finance repairs.
If that happens, residents would have to repay the bonds. That would cost each homeowner about $600 a year for 20 years.
"That's what we would require them to do so the township isn't burdened with something less than standard," Anderson said.
The homeowners' association hasn't made a deal with the county yet. The county won't step in until that happens.
