07/01/2006

Foundation will help low-income families connect to sewer

Group meets its goal; eligibility rules are pending

By Christine Finger

cfinger@record-eagle.com

NORTHPORT — Stephanie Metcalf is aware of many young families like hers who might need help paying to hook up to Northport's new municipal sewer.

And she's happy the community wants to help.

Metcalf, a Northport resident and business owner, supports the new local wastewater treatment system and said a grant fund established by the Leelanau Township Community Foundation will help the village emerge from a year of divisive debate, including an unsuccessful recall attempt of pro-sewer elected officials.

"This actually creates solutions for the problem," she said.

The nonprofit foundation in December launched a campaign to raise $50,000 to help low-income residents hook up to a sewer that will serve properties in the village and in neighboring areas of Leelanau Township.

The fundraising effort met its goal, and the foundation will add $100,000 from its general endowment fund. The organization will use the $150,000 to award grants to help eligible property owners pay the minimum $1,250 hookup fee — the cost to run pipe from the house to the street.

Basil Antenucci, chairman of the foundation's board, said the organization last year recognized that some residents in the sewer district would be forced to take on loans to pay sewer fees if assistance wasn't available. The foundation publicly supported the sewer project.

Eligibility rules have not been determined, but will be primarily based on financial need. The next step will be getting the word out about the grants.

"We will make every effort to be inclusive rather than exclusive," he said. "There will definitely be a public outreach effort."

One hundred donors gave amounts ranging from $10 to $10,000. One-fourth of the contributions came from residents within the municipal sewer district, and the rest from outside the district.

Antenucci said that signifies an understanding that the new sewer will benefit the entire area.

"It really goes back to how you define the community," he said. "We're really looking for a healing process. We've had a lot of divisiveness."

Metcalf, who also owns Funky Mama's Consignment and Gifts in Northport, said the fundraising campaign's success demonstrates the community's desire to help all residents prosper.

"There is a need for a lot of families for this," she said.