ROSS TOWNSHIP — The residents of Venice Gardens, a southern Butler County neighborhood plagued by malfunctioning septic systems, know they need sewer lines.

        They just don't know whether they can afford them.

        Butler County wants to begin sewer installation in this community of about 300 homes. But before the county can proceed, more than half of the householders must sign forms agreeing to connect to the sewer lines.

        The county had set a May 10 deadline. Last week, Jean Wagonfield, a Venice Gardens resident who has spearheaded the effort for sewer service, asked county officials for a month's extension.

        “We cannot decide yet because we don't know what the cost is going to be,” she said.

        County officials granted an extension, but said they would like to begin the $2.7 million project as soon as possible. The project's cost is being covered by federal, state and county funds.

        “I do not want to delay this project,” Commissioner Courtney Combs said.

        The county wants to start construction in March 2003 and have sewer service for Venice Gardens by the fall of that year.

        Each resident would pay a $3,600 assessment fee and about $60 per foot for a connection from the curb to the house. The county will waive an $1,800 treatment capacity fee it normally charges.

        William Robertson, whose house is about 100 feet from the curb, said that even with the $1,800 waiver, he estimates sewer service would cost him about $10,000.

        “I could afford $3,600, but not $10,000,” he said.

        Most of the houses in Venice Gardens, a low-income neighborhood, are on lots so small that current county building and zoning regulations would prohibit houses from being built on them.

        Venice Gardens, along the Great Miami River, was a campground in the 1950s. Houses were built after the old Mount Healthy Drive-In awarded lots as door prizes.

        Just three years ago, water lines were installed in Venice Gardens after septic tanks contaminated most of the water wells.

        Ms. Wagonfield said some of the septic tanks have stopped working and that raw sewage lies in some yards. “There's no room to replace the leach pits,” she said. “They take up the whole backyard. When they fail, there's nowhere to go with them.”

        Residents also are worried about 90-degree turns in the sewer lines because the houses are so close together.

        Tony Parrott, director of the Butler County Department of Environmental Services, said project engineers are aware of the potential design problems and will work them out.

Many Catholics demand disclosure
Cardinal: New solution sought
Cleveland bishop calls for prayer and fidelity
Men say church knew of sex abuse decades ago
Landlords angered by mini-riot damage
Oxford grads take prizes
Warren Co. roads taking on orange hue
Woman leaps out of moving vehicle
BRONSON: Death row
CROWLEY: Erpenbeck gossip has sad undertone
Some Good News
You Asked For It
Authorities concerned about rise in dogfighting
Boone looks to its past
Both parties court growing new bloc of Hispanic voters
City's 'just a few prayers' from healing
Domestic violence funds pulled
Indiana 'warriors' slammed
Mine-safety system has mixed reviews
Money worries clog sewer project
Renovation gives police more space
School-funding report author sues
Tot has just cuts, bruises in 30-foot fall
Traficant skipping primary
Walk circle, seek self
Kentucky A.M. report
Tristate A.M. report