Aug 8, 2008 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

MENALLEN TWP. – Township supervisors said Thursday that they will have a cost analysis done to determine what it would cost to extend a waterline along Old Route 51 in Smock. Supervisors Joe Petrucci and John Yantko agreed to have the study done but said whether or not a line is installed will depend on the expense of the project and whether or not grant money is available.

Supervisor Robert “Tweety” Yatsko was absent from Thursday’s meeting.

According to supervisors, there are only two to three homes along Old Route 51 that would benefit if a waterline was installed.

Petrucci estimated that the project would probably cost between $50,000 and $60,000.

“I don’t where we’d come up with that kind of money,” he said.

Petrucci said it would be hard to get grant money for a project that will only affect up to three homes; however, he said money to install rural waterlines is sometimes available.

“We will definitely look into it and we will see what we can do,” Petrucci said.

As for other business, supervisors announced the township is progressing toward handling its own zoning.

Petrucci and Yantko voted Thursday to hire Mackin Engineering as a planner of records for the township in regards to planning and zoning.

Yantko said Mackin will assist the township as the municipality moves toward handling its own zoning and will schedule public hearings.

Mackin also helped the township create a comprehensive plan, supervisors said.

“They did our comprehensive plan and they will also be involved in our zoning,” Petrucci said, noting that Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites encouraged Menallen Township to begin thinking about handling its own zoning four to five years ago.

Petrucci said zoning can be problematic and expensive but that supervisors feel it is in the best interest of the township.

Since the county does not have any roads to maintain, Petrucci suggested that the commissioners divide the county’s liquid fuel money among the municipalities that do their own zoning, which would help offset the cost for the municipalities who don’t have as much money.

Petrucci said he thinks giving liquid fuels money to municipalities that do their own zoning would encourage more to undertake planning and zoning.

“It’s just a suggestion,” he said.

In other matters, Petrucci said the cost of amosite had more than doubled in the last three years and said it’s getting more difficult to maintain the roads.

“It’s getting very tough for townships to operate the way they used to,” he said.

With no other business to conduct, supervisors approved payment of outstanding bills and adjourned the meeting.

The next township meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 4 in the municipal building.