By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Normal Town Council member Stan Nord confirmed on Wednesday he has paid a disputed sewer connection fee for land he owns on Normal’s west side, avoiding a legal battle between Nord and the town government.
Nord paid the fee of $11,904. He said he’s free now to use his newly-gained elected position to help get rid of what he said are “ghost charges” that can be imposed on property owners.
“Paying this fee takes my conflict of interest off the table. It allows me to be involved in the change necessary through an administrative process, instead of through a court process, so ghost charges do not cloud the title of other properties in Normal,” Nord said.
Town staffers contended Nord knew when he bought the 15.44 acres at 2012 W. College Ave. that he would be responsible for the tap-on fee. The town did not collect the money from previous owners of the land.
Town staffers said there could not be additional development on the land if Nord refused to pay the fee. Nord said he doesn’t know what he’ll do with the property now.
“I had originally planned on doing development out there, putting up different structures, and bringing additional businesses in there until all this came to light,” said Nord.
“This started several years ago, so plans have all changed. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I could not even sell this property until this issue was cleared,” Nord also said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
