Inverness Township filed suit against the City of Cheboygan in federal court yesterday alleging the city is unfairly blocking access to their water supply.
The suit claims the City of Cheboygan will not allow properties in the township hook up to the city water supply unless the properties can be annexed by the city.
Bill Fahey represents Inverness Township. He said that condition violates federal law.
“The water system that is financed by Cheboygan was financed in large part by federal grants and loans. One of the conditions of those federal grants and loans was that the city was required to provide water supply throughout its service area.”
Fahey said the township is included in the cities service area and at least one other business already receives city water. He said the township has tried to negotiate with the city for the last two years.
Fahey said the township offered to pay for the water infrastructure within its boundaries.
“All we are requesting is that you allow the township to take the water supply, which is already existing in the pipes of the city, and run that through the townships pipes to serve people in the township.”
Fahey said commercial businesses - including Meijer - had been looking at building in the township - and he suspects the city wanted to annex them for tax revenue.
The City of Cheboygan did not respond to our request for comment.