Nov 5, 2002 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

REDSTONE TWP. – The Colonial Joint Sewage Authority is finding the number of easements that may be required for their new lines could be problematic, as the funding is not provided by PENNVEST. Dick Widmer of Widmer Engineering told the board Monday that the authority’s calls for 15,000 to 16,000 feet of sewer lines on easements, but they are going to try to “whittle them down.”

“We have more easements in Redstone than in Jefferson Township. The number of easements is in the 50s, but we might be able to eliminate some of those,” said Widmer.

He said the authority did have time to work on that before it has to submit its PENNVEST application, but said it will have to find another source of funding for the easements.

“We can’t use PENNVEST money to cover anything dealing with land,” said Widmer. “We have to generate money from another source in order to do a better job on the roads.”

Board member Larry Stuckslager made a motion for the authority secretary/treasurer to call local banks and see what kind of loan can be negotiated. The board approved the motion and agreed that it would try to get a loan in the amount of $30,000, which would pay for easements and land acquisitions.

Another issue of concern for the authority is that of rights of way. The board had to decide how much they should offer people for rights of way required for installing lines.

“Different authorities handle rights of way differently,” said board member Larry Williams, as he questioned the rest of the board about whether they should set a fixed rate to pay everyone.

Solicitor Jack Purcell offered his advice on the matter.

“In certain cases, a right of way may impact some properties more than others,” said Purcell. “You can have a set figure that would be the same for everyone, but someone could have a legitimate complaint that it has more impact on their property.” He added that he did not believe that many easements in Redstone Township would be burdensome.

Widmer said he thought the board could set a figure for everyone and still be able to consider those properties that may be highly impacted by a right of way.

“If there are a few special properties that could be a problem, the board could take a look at them and decide what to do, in that case,” said Widmer.

“I agree with the philosophy of setting a figure, just so we have a guideline to go by,” said board member Raymond Paris.

With the understanding that the board could make exceptions for properties that are highly impacted by a right of way, the board decided to make a decision on what it could offer, and agreed on 25 cents per linear foot.

In another matter, the board decided not to have their next meeting on the regularly scheduled date of Dec. 2 because that is the first day of deer-hunting season.

They will meet instead on Monday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m.