Thursday, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 |
Photo – Hanna Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
All Hanna residents must be connected to municipal water and sewer or face penalties for noncompliance.
During Tuesday evening’s Hanna Town Council meeting, the governing body passed Ordinance 412 on its third and final reading, codifying the regulations into town law. Ordinance 412 requires all in-town Hanna residents to maintain functioning municipal water and sewer connections or face penalties under the applicable town codes. The exact penalties have not been set at the time of this report.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Hanna Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales read Ordinance 412, which amends Hanna’s town code to require water and sewer service connections for all residential structures within town limits.
Ordinance 412 was first introduced during the July 8th Hanna Town Council meeting. At the time, Clerk Gonzales explained that the ordinance is designed to compel residents to use and pay for municipal water and sewer.
During the second reading of Ordinance 412 at the August 12th Town Council meeting, Councilwoman Ellen Freeman expressed concerns about the wording, which states that all structures “intended” for human habitation must be connected to municipal water and sewer. Councilwoman Freeman pointed out that many buildings in Hanna were originally built to be lived in, but are not currently used as residences. Mayor Charlie George and Clerk Gonzales argued that the word “intended” was appropriate in this context, while Councilwoman Freeman recommended changing the term before the ordinance is finalized.
Hanna Town Attorney Patrick Brady amended the wording in response to Councilwoman Freeman’s recommendation, and Ordinance 412 was adopted into law during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. Clerk Vivian Gonzales continued to read the ordinance, which states that residents who fail to maintain an operational water connection will be subject to penalties.
Continuing to read Ordinance 412, Clerk Gonzales said all residences must maintain a functioning sewer connection. Violations of this provision will also result in penalties.
Ordinance 412 was formally adopted during Tuesday’s meeting. The governing body has yet to establish the specific penalties for violating the ordinance, although earlier conversations among town staff suggest residents could face eviction for failing to maintain a functioning connection to the municipal water and sewer system.
