Essa council has moved a step forward on a proposal by a Baxter area developer, who wants to connect to the sewage plant in Angus.

The developer wants his proposal to connect to the plant, to handle anticipated waste. Council decided to ask the developer to provide a functional servicing report on the engineering and operational aspects of pumping raw sewage from Baxter to Angus.

The Marshall plan proposes to connect a proposed 260 home subdivision to the Angus plant with a sanitary sewage force main, using pumping stations as required. The line would run between six and seven kilometres to the north, likely along the 5th Concession.

Local councillor Ron Henderson said that one advantage from the proposal would be the elimination of the need for the township to operate a sewage treatment plant in Baxter.

“Frankly, they can be a pain to operate,” he said.

Council learned that the Ontario Clean Water Agency believes that the Marshall proposal could be accommodated though preparation of the sewage, and potential odour problems would have to be considered in the design.

An accompanying report from Essa Township's Public Works Department noted that the charge of $14,195 per unit to hook-up to the plant would help the township pay down the investment already made in the plant.