By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – A challenger for one of three Normal Town Council seats up for grabs in Tuesday’s election managed to have the last word before voters go to the polls.

Candidate and property owner Stan Nord’s dispute with the town over sewer connection fees was the main topic at Monday night’s Normal Town Council meeting.

Nord owns 15.44 acres at 2012 W. College Ave. He’s protesting almost $12,000 in fees that were unpaid by previous land owners.

Nord said the dispute is a “huge” property rights issue.

“What you are telling every voter, taxpayer, property owner, and potential property owner is property purchased in Normal can not be trusted,” said Nord.

“Your checkbook will always be at risk for government to search the property records for a fee that was either in error, or is now interpreted differently, and make you pay for it,” Nord also said.

Town attorney Brian Day said Nord knew about uncollected tap-on fees before buying the land. As long as the property remains undeveloped, Nord does not have to pay the money.

Mayor Chris Koos said Nord is making wild accusations about the fee’s impact on the local economy.

“The notion that property will not be sold in Normal and banks will not loan money to properties in Normal I find ridiculous,” said Koos.

The council sent the matter to the planning commission to see if the dispute can be resolved without a lawsuit. Nord has hired a lawyer, who was at his side Monday night.

Town staffers noted they have tried to work with Nord, reducing various fees by about 70 percent.

One of the other nine council candidates, incumbent Kathleen Lorenz, said she’s puzzled by the “odd timing” of bringing the matter to the council.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]