The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Allegany County residents can vote on preferred method of repayment for treatment plant

* Total repayment could be between $9.4 million and $12.9 million

By The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
CUMBERLAND, Jan. 21 -- Residents can now vote for their preferred method of repayment for nearly $9 million in loans for the Georges Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Allegany County government officials launched a brief survey - available here - with which residents can input their contact information, tax account number and their preference for one of eight options first presented Jan. 13 during a public work session. The information was presented again Wednesday during a public meeting in Lonaconing.

"You can vote on which payment option would best suit your needs," according to a news release distributed Friday afternoon.

About 2,243 property owners are impacted in the Georges Creek Sanitary District. Land owners received last July annual property tax bills but were shocked when the bills included a significant surcharge, through the county's ad valorem tax, to begin paying down the debt.

If a computer is not available to you, you can obtain a copy of the survey at the Midland, Lonaconing, or Barton Town Hall, the Georges Creek Library in Lonaconing or by calling the Department of Public Works at 301-777-5933 ext. 361. The surveys are to be mailed to Allegany County Department of Public Works, Utilities Division, 701 Kelly Road, Cumberland MD 21502.

The deadline for surveys to be turned in is Feb. 4, 2011.