Ridge Road Residents Ready for Water Line

Stan Grove, member of the Williamsburg Municipal Authority, told the authority during the regular meeting Jan. 5 that he would be hooking water line up "the next day."

Authority Engineer Tyler McGraw of Stiffler McGraw, Hollidaysburg, told the authority during his report that the authority received the state Department of Environmental Protection operations permit for the project and residents can begin the hook-up process.

The authority will give Ridge Road residents a timeline of six months to complete the water service hookup process. According to the authority, several residents qualified for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies to help aid in costs.

During last month's meeting, the authority authorized the purchase of an alternate wet well pump at a cost of $16,750. The company Vaughan of Washington state, the seller of the pumps, will provide the pump to the authority at no initial cost provided the authority pays for pump after 90-day trial period following installation. The authority is still awaiting delivery and installation on this pump. This wet-well "chopper" pump is designed to reduce clogs in other pumps by chopping up the various solid items sent down drains and into the system's pumps.

Items such as baby wipes, diapers and rags get flushed into the system and can create clogs in pipes and pumps.

The hourly rate for invoicing purposes will be raised to $28 per hour. Authority Member Harry Mullins made that motion with Authority Member David Myers seconding. The motion passed.

A five-percent wage increase for authority employees was approved, with employee Trey Bookhammer to be paid $17 per hour due to having to obtain licenses. Authority Member David Myers made the motion with Member Mullins seconding, and the motion passed.

The 2021 budget was passed with no major corrections or increases on sewer and water prices. Authority Member Mullins made the motion with Member Grove seconding, and the motion passed.

At the authority's mandatory annual reorganizational meeting, Member Chet Bingham made a motion to retain the same officers as last year: Chairman Ed Patterson, Vice Chairman Harry Mullins, Secretary Daryl Cole and Treasurer David Myers. Member Cole seconded the motion, which passed.

The authority will continue to hold its regular meetings at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Williamsburg Borough meeting room.