MASON — The anger and frustration of a group of Deerfield Township residents over the city's plans to build a water tower next to their homes erupted into a finger-pointing debate Monday night that at times looked like a street corner argument.

        About 15 residents from the Hampton Village subdivision came to City Council's meeting in hopes of dissuading officials from building the 175-foot tower near their homes. Most of them had participated in a daylong demonstration in front of City Hall.

        Jon Niemeyer, a spokesman for the group and a Hampton Village resident, pleaded with council to consider alternate sites within city limits. He argued an 18-story water tower would ruin property values and aesthetics in his neighborhood.

        “We understand that essential public services must be made available to Mason residents, and understand that water holding tanks must be built to serve these residents,” Mr. Niemeyer told council. “However, building this tower in a residential neighborhood and on full notice of significant deed restrictions, not to mention zoning laws and regulations, is just not right, regardless of the city's legal rights.”

        Mason officials plan to build the $2.5 million water tower on six acres along Mason Road. The 2-million-gallon tower is designed to improve water pressure for the city's south service area and reduce the demand on the Shaker Creek Aquifer to the north of the city.

        Council members told the demonstrators they were willing to listen to ideas on how to soften the effects of the tower on their property. But council stood firm that it would not move the tower to a different location.

        “We went to an engineer and said "pick us the best site' and they picked this one (Mason Road),” said Vice Mayor Jim Fox. “Our decision had nothing to do with political gains or one-upsmanship. This was our No. 1 site.”

        Township residents questioned why city leaders didn't pick a site in Mason since it will only server city residents. They also question why the city would choose to build it in a residential area.

        Mayor John McCurley said the Mason Road site was chosen primarily because of its elevation. He said it is not uncommon for municipalities to build water towers outside their corporate limits or in residential areas.

        Mr. McCurley listed water towers in residential areas on Church Street and Kings Mills Road — both much closer to subdivisions than the proposed Mason Road tower. He noted Hampton Village residents receive their water from a tower in Butler County.

        “I really don't think this tower is going to have the impact on these residents that they think it will,” said Councilman James “Dick” Staten. “I live next to a water tower and Mitsubishi and neither one of them have affected my property values. I don't even notice they're there.”

        Council's refusal to budge on the tower's location angered many of the Hampton Village residents. One homeowner stormed out of the meeting screaming “the arrogance of this (council) is incredible.”

        Mr. Niemeyer who called his discussion about the water tower last week with City Manager Scot Lahrmer “unproductive” also walked out of the council meeting. “This was a waste of time,” he said shaking his head as he left.

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