Luzerne sewage authority discusses project
LUZERNE TOWNSHIP – Sewage authority board members discussed Phase II of their sewage project at their regular meeting Monday evening. Engineer Don Reho delivered a report estimating that an additional $2.4 million is needed to fund the entire sewer project.
“We knew it was going to be over,” President Bob Peton said, “but we didn’t know by that much.”
Reho said Rural Utility Service (RUS) asked him to investigate possible budget deletions, adding that he will be drawing up a money-saving proposal for RUS.
The project holds $2 million in grant money and $3 million in loans, Reho said.
“We won’t know until RUS finds out what funding they can get,” he said. “I’m requesting the best you can get.”
Peton expressed concern over the lack of funds slowing down the project.
“This phase is always time consuming,” Reho explained, adding that he recommended the sewage authority “request enough money to do the entire project without deletions” to keep rates affordable.
The sewage authority also conducted the following business:
– Voted to pay $24,570 of project money for engineering services.
– Agreed to pay $3,000 for a Phase III feasibility study contingent on receiving $3,000 from the township for the study.
– Voted to include birthdays among employee paid holidays.
– Agreed to rebuild a 40-horsepower sledge pump.
– Approved a motion to advertise the sale of a lot on Water Street, Merrittstown.
The next Luzerne Township Sewage Authority meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Luzerne Township Municipal Building.