By EDWARD HUSAR
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
The Quincy City Council welcomed its newest member Tuesday when John Veith was sworn in as a 6th Ward alderman.
Veith, a 56-year-old Democrat, will fill the unexpired term of Ted Meyer, who resigned in June citing increased work responsibilities.
Veith, who has lived in Quincy for 35 years, spent 25 1/2 years with the Quincy Fire Department before retiring in 2002. He was an investigator in the arson unit.
"I'm just looking forward to serving the citizens of the 6th Ward and the city of Quincy, and I hope to do a good job for everyone," Veith said after he was sworn in by City Clerk Jenny Hayden.
Mayor John Spring said Veith brings experience and skill to the council table, having developed a good understanding of city government while working for the Fire Department.
"He's a very strong, independent thinker, and he's got a lot of integrity," Spring said after the council meeting.
"He was an excellent firefighter for the city of Quincy and had a stellar career. I think he will do a wonderful job representing not only the 6th Ward, but will also represent the community very well. He'll be a quick learner."
At a news conference last week, Veith said he intends to run for a full four-year term in the city elections in April.
In other action Tuesday, the council heard from Diane Jones of 1420 Harrison Plaza regarding a proposal to install sanitary sewers in her neighborhood, which was annexed in 2003.
Jones expressed dismay that the 13 homeowners along Harrison Plaza would be required to share the cost for the installation of a sewer under the street, which is slated to be repaved this fall. Jones said the basic cost of the sewer installation would be $10,000 per homeowner. Each owner also would have to pay extra to have their homes connected to the main sewer line, with the total cost nearing $15,000 apiece.
"The residents cannot be expected to pay this large amount," she said.
But Director of Utilities David Kent said the city's ordinances make it clear that any residents requesting municipal sewer services must bear the cost to install the service.
City Engineer Jeff Steinkamp said the residents on Harrison Plaza were actually being offered a generous deal by their aldermen, Mike Rein and Jennifer Lepper, who offered to pay half the cost for the proposed $260,000 sewer project with ward funds. That meant the remaining $130,000 would be shared equally by the 13 property owners. But the owners couldn't reach an agreement to proceed.
Steinkamp said the city is now making plans to go ahead with the street-resurfacing work without installing any sewer mains below the street. He said the work should get started in the next 30 days.
Harrison Plaza residents, meanwhile, were assured they would be allowed to repair or replace their existing septic tanks, provided they meet guidelines spelled out by the Adams County Health Department, which administers the septic tank permit program.
The council also:
* Allowed the closing of a half-block of Ninth Street, from Van Buren to the alley, for Quincy Notre Dame home football games from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, as well as Sept. 12, Sept. 19, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10.
* Authorized the Historic Quincy Business District to restrict parking along Maine Street for its annual Santa Claus parade Dec. 4.
* Approved a request from the Quincy Exchange Club to allow parking on Bonansinga Drive from Broadway to the north entrance of Kesler Park during the Smoke on the River barbecue contest this Friday and Saturday.
* Allowed Quincy University to hold a 5-kilometer run at 7 a.m. Oct. 4 as part of its Alumni Weekend celebration.
-- ehusar@whig.com/221-3378
