100 YEARS OLD
CENTENNIAL 1855-1955

In 1964 the town installed a modern sewer system. By this time some of the older residents were if the expense was really necessary. The proposition demanded a vote of the people, and the town council knew they had an up hill battle to convince the majority to vote yes. 

Most of the residents were 50 years old, or older, and were reluctant to spend tax money for a modern sewer system or anything else that they seemingly were able to do without. 

The fact was that the State Department of Health was putting pressure on the town fathers because of the many septic tanks in town. The cheese factory was discharging waste into Elk Creek producing a whole different problem. Private wells were still being used by some people and the water would not pass sanitary tests. 

The project carried a price tag of $150,000 to $200,000, a sum still not that high by today’s standards. But then it was a great deal of money. 

Harold Luiken’s father and mother lived in town, but did not as yet have indoor plumbing as was the case with several families. Harold recalled his father voicing his opposition to the city sewer project. “How well I recall my own father taking me to task when we proposed the building of the new sewer system. He was really upset. He enumerated the new dam, curb and gutter, modern street lighting, water works system, street black topping, etc. ‘My boy, you are going to force us old people to move to Owasa, we simply cannot afford all this finery.’ He was dead serious, he was trembling. He was also in his 70’s and retired. 

Needless to say, the project went forward and a new modern sewer system was installed.