Sewage authority to raise rates
BULLSKIN TWP. – A sewerage rate increase is on the horizon for residents of the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authority. The authority on Wednesday discussed charging its customers an additional $2.05 per month in conjunction with the same fee that was imposed on them this month for customers they took over from the Connellsville Municipal Authority (CMA) upon completing a $5.52 million sewerage project last year to parts of Bullskin and Connellsville townships.
With the rate increase, 622 customers that are charged a flat fee will go from paying $36.25 per month to $38.30, while the rates for those that are part of the former Connellsville Township sewer system still need to be determined since they pay by consumption.
That system includes roughly 245 customers that reside on Springfield Pike, Breakneck Road, Hillcrest Lane and outside the city limits on the east end and south side of Connellsville.
According to Fred Elcock, authority secretary, Connellsville Township’s lack to keep up with prior sewerage rate increases has put the authority in such a position that it is collecting the same amount of money for what sewerage it is treating.
The increase was also needed to keep up with the authority’s operating expenses.
As far as the increase, Dick Widmer, vice president of Widmer Engineering Inc., said, “This authority will do the same thing for all their customers (as CMA), just in a different manner.”
In a separate matter, Widmer presented the authority with the design specifications regarding the installation of 600-foot of sewer line along Moss and Van drives in Merit Manor in Bullskin Township.
The authority determined earlier that the line needed replaced after it became entangled with the roots of several maple trees over the years.
Widmer estimated the project to cost $60,000 and suggested the authority advertise this week for bids that would be accepted until March 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the authority’s office in Dillworth Place along Route 119.
“If you get somewhere around that you’re getting a pretty decent bid,” said Widmer.
Widmer added the scope of the project includes installing 600-foot of sewer lines and four manholes as well as 300-foot of sewer laterals, connecting to existing sewer lines and replacing asphalt.
“It’s pretty straight forward,” said Widmer.
The authority also conducted the following business:
– Learned from solicitor John Cupp that civil hearings conducted Wednesday before Magisterial District Judges Robert Breakiron of Bullskin Township and Ronald Haggerty of Connellsville in which the majority of customers agreed or made payments while bench warrants were issued for three people. Cupp added the new deadline for payment is May 31.
– Also learned from Cupp that businesses are required to clean their grease traps under the authority’s rules and regulations which states the traps must be approved by an engineer following installation. Cupp said businesses that are found in violation would be provided with a 30-day notice to come into compliance or the authority could turn either their water or sewerage off. Elcock noted the sewerage project includes five businesses.
– Agreed to continue its inspection of downspouts in Merit Manor that have not disconnected yet from the storm water system.