1980-05-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~" I I "I Honorable James Senden, Mayor and New Brighton City Council: On February 22, 1980 we occupied a new residence at 1975 Long Lake Road in New Brighton. The home was built for us by Cobb Inc. To our great dismay, approximately seven weeks later our sewer backed up and it was necessary to call Roto-Rooter to clear the obstruction. Verbal communication from Steve, the Roto-Rooter representative and the builder Mr. Pat Cobb have revealed the following information: 1. The obstruction was 108 ft. from the clean-out in our basement. The builder installed approximately 70 feet of sewer pipe at the time the house was built. It is estimated that there is 110 ft. of sewer pipe from the clean-out to the main. 2. It was not possible for Roto-Rooter to clean-out the obstruction with a double cutter. THUS THEY WOULD GIVE NO WARRANTY. The inability to get through with a double cutter is usually an indication of a broken or displaced pipe. 3. The "city installed portion" of the private sewer service is at least fifteen years old and is probably of the older clay type pipe. 4. The street and specifically the services (storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water, electrical, telephone, gas etc.) have been dug up and installed and/or repaired at various times over the past fifteen years. The probability of this having an effect on our sewer problems is very high. 5. Our cost for Rota-Rooter was $48.00 and we have no guarantee. If it (would be necessary to excavate and repair the sewer an estimated cost is $800 - $1000. I have reviewed the city of New Brighton Policy on water and sewer service, Chapter XIII, Sec. 1-4 and specifically section 3-B. I feel this policy is unfair to home owners who tie into a service installed 15 years ago (and paid for through our purchase of the lot) and then experience the problem we have encountered. It would be impossible to prove whether the defect was a problem with the original installation and whether it occurred within the first two years. I would like to request the following: 1. sThat I be reimbursed for the $48.00 cost incurred by me to clear the original obstruction. 2. That the city attempt to pass a double cutter through the obstructed area. If this can be done, I will be satisfied. 3. That if a double cutter cannot be passed through the obstructed area, the city excavate and repair the damage at their expense.