East Bethlehem residents seek water
EAST BETHLEHEM TWP. – A number of residents in the area are still discouraged because the Tri-County Joint Municipal Authority is unable to extend water lines to service their homes. Because the authority has an agreement with PENNVEST, it can not exceed the scope of the project in that agreement.
A resident of Spring Valley Road said he has a farm and two mobile homes at two separate properties, all of which need water.
He explained that in other areas in where the authority provides water, the lines extend short distances for only one or two houses. If they were able to extend the line only 4/10ths of a mile near his house, they could pick up nine houses.
“I think I have a legitimate problem that you could solve and generate a lot of money from.”
Chairman Ron Dellarose sympathized with the problem and said the authority would try to help.
“We understand your problem and would like to help,” said Dellarose.
“Everyone tells us that they are so close to where the lines end, but that just wasn’t in our scope when we first did it. We’ll have to study this and see what we can do.”
“No one is opposed to helping you,” said engineer Daniel Slagle. “One major concern is that until revenue comes back to the authority they can not make extensions.
“We’re strapped right now by what PENNVEST has required of us.”
At the authority’s meeting on Wednesday, residents from Somerset Township approached the board to see if it would be possible for officials to extend lines to their area if they would provide most of the finances necessary. The board carried a motion to allow Slagle to begin some preliminary work on that project. Wastewater from this project would be processed by the Pigeon Creek Sanitary Authority.
A resident who previously appeared before the board to ask for their help because the water supply at his home was unfit addressed the board again about the issue.
Ron Sicchitano said he contacted state Sen. J. Barry Stout (D-Bentleyville) to inform him of the need for water in the Half Moon area.
“He responded and has requested a letter from the board in which the authority shows interest in extending lines,” said Sicchitano.
“He also would like to know if the board could come up with any money, how many homes would be serviced by the extension, and the size of the lines that would be placed.”
The board agreed to have Slagle write letters for the Half Moon area, as well as Spring Valley and Pigeon Creek.