ALPENA –After nearly five years of litigation, there is a resolution to the water and sewer dispute between the City of Alpena and Alpena Township.

On Wednesday, 26th Circuit Court Judge Michael Mack issued his final order of the case, which was spurred when the city raised rates on all of its customers, including the township, and the township disputed the higher costs.

Mack ruled Wednesday that an agreement the two sides reached March 1 would stand, although it seemed one or both of the parties balked at it afterward. He said meeting minutes and audio recordings of the day in court, when both boards voted to approve a methodology that would set rates, were reviewed and, in his opinion, that deal is binding. That deal established a complex methodology that would set rates based on the amount of water used, the costs of treatment, and more.

“The city and township agreed that trial would be adjourned based on each respective party approving the principle terms of the settlement agreement as were set forth by the rate experts,” Mack said.

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