Hobart officials say the city could play some role in bringing a neglected detention pond in the Liberty Heights subdivision into compliance, but added future maintenance will be the responsibility of homeowners.
Tim Kingsland, the city’s MS4 coordinator, told the Board of Public Works and Safety at a recent meeting that he sent developer Randy Hall a certified letter saying the pond needs to be maintained, but had not yet received a response.
“There are several items that need to be completed and as of last Friday [Oct. 28], nothing had been done,” Kingsland said.
Kingsland considers the pond to be a public health issue.
City Attorney Anthony DeBonis said the original developer of the subdivision off Indiana 51 near Rand Street filed bankruptcy. Hall purchased some of the remaining undeveloped lots and signed an agreement with the city to do drainage and other work and install streetlights, but DeBonis said there is nothing in the agreement requiring him to maintain the pond.
“The pond belongs to a property owners’ association that may or may not have been formed. They need to provide proper maintenance of the pond,” DeBonis said.
The residents said they haven’t formed a POA yet, but DeBonis urged them to do so.
Councilman Josh Huddlestun, D-2nd, which serves Liberty Heights, said he didn’t think it was fair for residents to have to pay to bring the pond into compliance, given its current poor state.
“They shouldn’t inherit this mess right off the bat,” Huddlestun said.
Mayor Brian Snedecor said he and other officials would meet with residents to come up with a plan to fix the pond.
“The city wants to work with residents, but it will need to be a team effort. Residents will have to participate,” Snedecor said. “The city will not continue to maintain it.”
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
