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 Mayor Keith Snyder introduced the topic saying that Heritage
Packaging is poised to take on an expansion project that will grow
their business in Lincoln. However, because they are not currently
in city limits, they do not have city sewer services. The expansion
planned is going to produce more waste water than the company’s
current septic system can handle. Because of this, they need to be
connected to the city’s sewer system so they can continue to grow
their business.
Snyder said in discussing the annexation, an agreement had been
reached with Heritage in which the city would waive the sewer tap
fee and also reimburse the company $35,000 for the construction of
the sewer connection.
He told the council that the annexation would bring new revenue into
the city through property taxes paid by the company and that gaining
that revenue would re-coop the city’s investment in the sewer
construction over time. In addition, the company will be paying a
sewer bill to the city.
Greg Basford of Heritage Packaging was on hand to address the
council about the future of his company. He explained that Heritage
in Lincoln has been successful and growing and wishes to continue to
grow in the area. He said in Lincoln his company has found a “good
recipe” for growth and had a good team of staff and employees to
keep the company moving forward.
Up until now, the company has been manufacturing corrugated paper
products using an oil based ink for the printing on the products.
Basford said the next generation of printing equipment utilizes
water based ink, and with it comes a large amount of waste water. He
said being connected to the city sewer system was key to being able
to upgrade to this new equipment.
He said that he had worked with Tim Ferguson of the city waste water
treatment facility and Mayor Keith Snyder on this project, and had a
good experience with both men. Basford concluded saying his company
was strong, and growing, and he has a strong desire to keep his
company in Lincoln, to help grow this community, and add more jobs
for residents.
Ferguson spoke about the impact on the city’s current sewer drainage
in the area and said there was plenty of capacity there to handle
the additional waste water. Ferguson also reported that the ink
being used is a biodegradable product so there will be no threat to
the environment or local water supply as a result.
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During the discussion, Marty Neitzel spoke up saying she felt
this would be money very well spent by the city of Lincoln.
Melody Anderson added that it was a “win-win situation for both
the city and Heritage Packaging.” Scott Cooper was in support
of the project but wondered how long it would take for the
construction of the sewer line to take place. He was asking because
the construction will cross the road, and he said he was concerned
about adding further disruption to traffic in that area. He
commented that folks in that part of town are already dealing with
the closure of the Salt Creek Bridge, and he didn’t want to make
things worse for them.
Ferguson said that typically it would take three to four days of the
street being closed to get all the work done. He also noted that it
isn’t uncommon for there to be issues that arise that cause that
period to stretch out into a week. Because of this, he felt like he
should say the street would probably be closed a week.
In a somewhat related matter, Snyder said that the Illinois
Department of Transportation is reporting that they are on schedule
for the completion of the Salt Creek Bridge, so it should be
reopened by November 15. He also commented that Basford wanted to
get started on his project as soon as possible, and Basford
confirmed that he wanted to get this done as soon as possible.
A motion to approve the annexation was made by Cooper and seconded
by Neitzel. The vote came in 7 – 0, with one alderman, Tom O’Donohue,
being absent for the evening.
[Nila Smith]
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