TimesLeader.com

Sewer expansion causes rate concerns

Mauri Rapp Abington Journal Correspondent

Concerns regarding an upcoming sewer expansion project plagued the June 10 meeting of the Factoryville Borough – Clinton Township Joint Municipal Sewer Authority. Although some of these concerns were voiced by residents, some came from sewer authority members themselves.

Attorney Jack Briar, who represented Gin’s Tavern owner Mark Vanko, questioned the proposed rates for his client’s establishment, stating that it could prove to be cost prohibitive. Attorney Briar said he was concerned that other establishments providing the same services as Gin’s were not being assessed the same, and asked how many EDUs were assigned to several different establishments in Factoryville and Clinton Township, including Factoryville Masonic Lodge and Factoryville Fire Company. Briar stated that these establishments also have dining facilities that could compete with the restaurants in the area. “My understanding of the law is that whether or not they use these facilities is immaterial,” Briar said. “They have the ability to use them. Everybody has to be treated equally based on the type of service that they have.”

Briar also asked why the sewer capacity was being doubled from 85,000 gallons per day to 200,000 gallons per day. Sewer authority member Thomas Davis responded that the plan set forth by DEP recommended that the sewer’s capacity be doubled. The new plant will also added waste water treatment capabilities in addition to new sewer lines, Davis said.

According to sewer authority treasurer Mary Ellen Buckbee, Gin’s Tavern has been assigned a rate of one EDU per every eight seats for a total of 13 EDUs. An EDU, or equivalent dwelling unit, is a measurement of how many gallons of wastewater can come from one residential dwelling. The sewer authority’s current capacity is 434 EDU; after the sewer expansion, the capacity will increase to 606 EDUs. Buckbee said that the proposed rate for Gin’s Tavern would be $6,240 per year. “If the sewer bill is at a rate that is so unconscionable they can’t pay, they’re going to have to close the doors or at least part of the doors,” said Briar. “We’re going to have to come to some negotiations to keep these businesses profitable at the end of the day.”

Sewer authority member Bill Edwards also had several concerns about the expansion plan. Edwards said he saw several things lacking in the plan, such as an allowance for a new liner for the plant’s lagoon, and was also concerned about obtaining an additional worker for the sewer’s operation. Davis assured Edwards that a new maintenance worker would be included in the budget. Also, authority members agreed that they must make plans to allow sewer operator Steve Swift time to become licensed to operate the newly expanded plant.

Administrative coordinator Liz Rathford announced that the sewer authority had received a $70,000 grant from Pennsylvania’s DCED. Sewer authority members agreed to use a portion of that money to pay on an existing loan.

According to Davis, the sewer expansion project is slated to begin within the next few weeks along Highland Avenue in Factoryville. The $3 million project, which will expand sewer lines in Factoryville into Clinton Township and to Keystone College, is estimated to conclude by the end of 2010.