Phase 1

Project Summary

Phase 1 of the sanitary sewer expansion will bring much needed infrastructure improvements to some of the Township's oldest neighborhoods. In addition to sanitary sewer, these projects will implement stormwater improvements where possible and also include fresh new roads through each neighborhood.

Just like our streets, this page is under construction! Check back for updates and additional resources throughout the project and feel free to contact Public Works with any questions!

Neighborhoods / Streets

The following streets are incorporated into Phase 1. Links to the construction plans are included for each street:

Sanitary Sewer Expansion Map(PDF, 961KB)

Construction Schedule

Construction began May 15th on Driftwood Ave. One street will be completed at a time before the following is started.

The current schedule for the Driftwood/Skyridge neighborhood is:

Driftwood Ave - approximately 20 days
Westview St - approximately 10 days
Skyridge Ave - approximately 15 days
Crimson Ln & Mandalay - approximately 15 days
Final paving is expected in August with lift station work taking place through the fall.

The Fairgrove neighborhood is currently planned to start in August with the following schedule:

Fairgrove St - approximately 20 days
Mansfield St - approximately 20 days
Wildemere St - approximately 10 days
Strathmore St - approximately 10 days

The above schedules are subject to change and will be updated throughout construction.

Connection Process

(PDF, 203KB)

There are two main steps each property owner must take to get connected to sanitary sewer once they have received the notice to connect.

Pay Public Connection Fee: The total fee is $7,500 per residential property and is due before your contractor begins the physical connection. This fee can be financed with the Township through an installment payment agreement. More information on this agreement can be found in the resources section.
Hire Contractor for Private Connection: Be sure top get multiple quotes as prices and methods may vary. The township recommends getting multiple quotes for your connection. A few common connection methods are directional boring, open trenching, and rerouting interior plumbing. Costs are typically between $5,000 and $7,000. Financial help is available through USDA programs offering grants and low-interest loans, as well as township hardship financing and deferment options. Additional information on these options can be found in the resources section.

Resources

Public Connection Fees can be financed through an installment payment agreement. There is a $500 down payment required and the remaining balance is financed over a 20- or 40-year term. For more information on installment payment agreements please contact Public Works or complete the form below to request an agreement for your property.

Installment Payment Agreement Request

For details and information on the assistance programs available for the Private Connection Fees please visit-

United States Department of Agriculture Home Improvement Programs

Once connected to sanitary sewer, the existing septic system will need to be properly abandoned.

(PDF, 385KB)

Contractor Information

Redline Excavating is a Michigan based contractor from Holland, MI.

The Consulting engineer is Fleis & Vandenbrink, an employee owned company.

List of contractors for the private connection.(PDF, 189KB)

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ will be updated throughout the project. If you have a question that is not listed below, please contact Public Works by phone at 269-216-5244 or email - publicworks@oshtemo.org

FAQ: WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL COSTS OF THIS PROJECT TO ME?

Answer: First it is important to understand the components of the connection costs.

Public Connection Fee: portion from sewer main in the road to the Right-of-Way/property line

Benefit Fee: $2,000.00 for single-family homes (1 benefit unit)

There would be more benefit units for commercial users.

Parcel Fee: Each parcel, regardless of size or use, pays the same $5,500.00 – this is equitable for larger parcels that may have smaller frontage, every parcel is the same fee.

Private Connection Fee: portion from Right-of-Way/property line to where sewer exits the home (and currently leads towards septic tank)

Recommend contacting local excavating contractors for quote. These costs typically range from $5,000-$7,000

Costs will verify depending on

The building's setback from the road.
Patios, decks, pools, fences, sheds to construct around
Tree removal, ask contractor if trees can be avoided
Location of the existing interior plumbing.

FAQ: What options do I have for paying my connection fees?

Answer: For the public portion of the connection fees, residents can enter into an installment payment agreement with the Township. This agreement allows the public connection fee to be financed over a 40-year period with yearly installments applied to the Winter tax bill. There is a $500 down payment required. The interest rate is 3.375% for the 40-year term and there is no penalty for early payoff.

FAQ: When do I have to connect?

Answer: You will have two years from the time the project is complete and you receive notice that the sewer is available. This project is expected to be completed in October 2025. If you receive your notice of sewer availability in November 2025, you will have until November 2027 before you must complete your connection to comply with Township Ordinances.

FAQ: Are mailboxes being relocated?

Answer: No, mailboxes are not being relocated. The contractor initially planned to setup a mailbox bank to avoid disruptions during construction. Due to resident feedback this plan has been cancelled. All mailboxes will remain undisturbed. If a mailbox needs to be relocated temporarily it will remain in front of your property. There may be a disruption to deliveries during construction.

FAQ: What is going to happen to my trash and recycling services?

Answer: You will continue to place your trash canister at the end of your driveway as normal. The contractor is going to collect trash during the project to eliminate any service disruption. Recycling will not be collected during this time and will need to be held until after the contractor has moved beyond your street.

News / Updates

10/8/2025	Progress Update Strathmore St - Work is now underway on Strathmore St sanitary sewer. This is expected to take 10 working days to complete. Access will be restricted through the majority of the work. Residents will need to use the designated parking areas and be cautious navigating through the construction.
10/7/2025	Progress Update Strathmore St - Work has been delayed today due to weather and is now planned to begin tomorrow, 10/8. Wildemere St - Redline is continuing to clear excess material and finish road building. The road will remain open for residents. Please be patient when navigating through construction.
10/3/2025	Progress Update Wildemere St - Redline is still working to rebuild the road. It is expected to take into next week to complete, so they are building out temporary access for all residents through the weekend. This access will continue next week, but delays should be expected as Redline continues to work in the area. Strathmore St - Redline is now planning to begin work on this segment on Tuesday, 10/7. This is expected to take 10 working days to complete, weather permitting.
10/1/2025	Progress Update Fairgrove St - Base layer of paving is complete. A second round of paving will occur once all streets have been base paved. Driveways will be restored and repaved in the coming weeks and yard restoration will be one of the final activities. Mansfield St - All sanitary sewer installation work is complete. Redline will be working on the final stormwater structures on 10/1. The remainder of Mansfield St to the cul-de-sac will be paved along with Strathmore St. Wildemere St - Mainline sanitary work is nearly complete. Redline expects to have the final lateral completed today along with the remaining stormwater structures. For the remainder of the week Redline will be working to rebuild and grade the road bed, restoring access to homes as they progress towards the cul-de-sac. This work is expected to be completed by Friday, 10/3. Strathmore St - Redline is now expecting to begin work on Strathmore St the week of 10/6. A more detailed schedule will be provided by 10/3.
9/24/2025	Progress Update Fairgrove St and Mansfield St are now tentatively scheduled for paving on 9/26 or 9/29 weather permitting. Wildemere St mainline sanitary sewer is expected to be at approximately 33% complete by the end of today, 9/24.The temporary access lane will be reopened as soon as Redline can do so safely. Traffic calming measures for Skyridge Ave and Driftwood Ave are tentatively scheduled to be installed 9/27. There will be some lane closures during this work.
9/23/2025	Wildemere St and Mansfield St Access Update Construction progress has been slowed due to the rain. Due to the weather conditions and forecast, Redline is not able to maintain the temporary lane for ingress/egress on Wildemere St. Residents will need to park on Fairgrove St and follow the designated walking route until conditions allow the temporary road to be reopened. Restoration of Mansfield St has also been delayed due to the rain and is now expected to be completed by Thursday 9/25.
9/22/2025	Progress Update Sanitary mainline installation is underway in Wildemere St. Residents should expect some limited access as Redline works around the curve and towards the North. There is currently one lane open on the shoulder of the road that is outlined with caution tape. Please be patient as you navigate through construction. Mansfield St is expected to be restored to gravel by end of day Tuesday 9/23. Access directly to driveways will be restored. The base layer of paving is tentatively scheduled for Friday 9/26 for Fairgrove St and Mansfield St.
9/19/2025	Progress Update Mainline sanitary sewer and lateral installs are complete on Mansfield St. Redline Excavating is working to restore the road as quickly as possible. Mansfield is expected to be partially re-opened by the end of the day today 9/19 and fully opened by Wednesday 9/24 at the latest. The next stage of work is going to begin on Wildemere St starting Monday 9/22. This notice(PDF, 334KB) will be delivered to residents directly the afternoon of 9/19 to prepare for work accordingly. Trash services are providing limited service. Redline will be completing pickups for any home not serviced as soon as possible.
9/12/2025	Progress Update Redline Excavating is on track to begin work through the Strathmore St and Mansfield St intersection on Monday, 9/15. Residents of Strathmore St and Mansfield St should plan to park at Betzler Funeral Home the evening of Sunday, 9/14 to ensure they are not blocked in during this work. The intersection of Strathmore St and Mansfield St is expected to be restored by end of day Monday, 9/15.
9/9/2025	Progress Update Redline Excavating is preparing to start mainline installation in Mansfield St. Please see the pre-start notice(PDF, 298KB) for additional information and directions.
9/2/2025	Trash Service Update Some trash hauling services have stopped pickups for Fairgrove/Wildemere/Strathmore/Mansfield. Redline is going to empty containers for those service providers ASAP. Please leave your container out until it is emptied. Recycling should continue to be picked up by normal providers as conditions allow.
9/2/2025	Schedule and Progress Update Redline is continuing sanitary sewer mainline on Fairgrove and is approximately 45% done. Milling of Mansfield to the East and up towards the cul-de-sac is planned for today, 9/2/2025. Redline now plans to install sanitary sewer in Mansfield after Fairgrove is complete, then move to Wildemere, with Strathmore now planned as the final street.
9/2/2025	Progress Update Final paving for Skyride/Driftwood/Westview/Crimson/Mandalay is planned for Wednesday 9/3 and Thursday 9/4, weather permitting.