MANSFIELD-The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 12, accepting an appraisal that would set a $10,000 one-time fee for sewer service to 43 Lynwood Farms households.

   Joseph Monzo, Robert Higgins, and Kenneth Denti of the Mansfield Township Assessment Commission made a recommendation that the committee accept the 100-page report from Allen Black of Todd & Black, a Cherry Hill-based appraiser.

   Mr. Black was hired by the township to determine what each house in the Lynwood Farms neighborhood would pay for the sewer service.

   No members of the public commented at the meeting, but some residents of the neighborhood have previously said were happy that the fee was lower than rumors had indicated.

   During the Aug. 22 meeting, some residents had complained that they would be paying for a service that they would not use.    Committeewoman LaVerne Cholewa said the sewer would have a positive effect on the property values of all surrounding houses in Mansfield.

   Mr. Monzo compared the improvement of the sewer service as an ambulance that the township may purchase; not everyone will be using it, but it is looked at as an overall improvement to the township.

   The 43 households affected were each sent a certified letter during the last week of July, letting residents know that the cost of the sewer project would be $10,000 if they choose to hook into the system now. Although hookup is not mandatory, it is encouraged because when an owner decides to sell the house, hookup would be mandatory. This $10,000 figure does not include the one-time sewer hookup fees that covers the cost of connecting the house to the pipes in the street, which was expected to be in the $5,000 range.

   Residents would not have to pay the entire $10,000 up front, instead they would have the option to pay it off over 20 years.

   The commissioners have had a month to review the report, and Mr. Black gave a summary of the presentation to approximately 40 residents at the meeting on Aug. 22. He said improvements like this are a "general benefit" to the township, and that they protect the safety and welfare of the entire community.

   The original deadline for requesting sewer hookup was scheduled for Sept. 15, but Ms. Cholewa suggested that the committee move the deadline back, and the rest of the committee agreed to move back the date until Nov. 30.

   Those who wish to connect to the sewer will have until November to do so, without paying any additional fees