FRASER, Mich. – Fraser is ground zero, but now nearly a dozen other communities have been brought together for a discussion on what happens next to fix the massive sinkhole.
Rate increases are certain. What's unclear is how much the fix will cost and how much needs to be repaired.
Macomb County executive Mark Hackel is promising the county will be transparent with the process moving forward.
The Fraser sinkhole site is going to be a mess for months, but the real question is what lies beneath, and whether there is a systematic problem, which is likely.
"If it's just going to be repairing this part or fixing the whole thing, I am extremely confident that with Candice Miller and the new direction at Public Works, everybody's going to understand and have (an idea) why those costs are attributed," Hackel said.
The county should have a better idea about exactly how bad the problem is and what it will cost by the beginning of March. All 11 communities affected -- whether it's Fraser, Sterling Heights, Shelby Township or others -- will know going forward what the costs will be.
The people who will be paying higher water bills think poor past Public Works management is to blame for the current mess. Now it's down to the increased dollars and cents that will show up on their bills.
"I think they've let it go for so long that now it's in such disrepair it's going to cost hundreds of millions of dollars," said Mike Novak of Harrison Township.
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