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All Sewer Talk at Catharine Township Meeting

For years, the residents of the Ganister portion of Catharine Township have been hearing about Catharine Township’s plans to provide sewer service to that area. At last month’s meeting, many residents attended to confront the supervisors about the status of those plans. At last Thursday’s meeting, they finally had the opportunity to talk to the Township Engineer Dave Cunningham from Keller Engineers.

Cunningham spoke about the two potential systems that could work in this project: a low-pressure grinder pump system and a gravity feed system.

Rick Houck, a resident of Ganister, told Cunningham that the “gravity feed system was the only option,” because of the potential issues with the grinder pump systems. “This is a life-long project affecting these families,” Houck said.

Cunningham said that the reason the grinder pump system was initially chosen was for cost reasons, which at the time of estimate was roughly $1.3 million. Cunningham said with inflation, those costs would be higher now.

Chairman Heather Flaig said that CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) surveys showed that currently 48.89 percent of the Ganister residents qualify for grant funding for the project, while 51 percent is needed for the grant. Flaig said that two residents did not participate yet in the survey, which might be due to those properties being vacant.

Cunningham said for the CDBG funding, “This is the only program grant that would pay 100 percent without cost upfront.”

Cunningham talked about other funding avenues including PennVEST, which the Williamsburg Municipal Authority has used in the past, but Cunningham said those projects need to have the project designed and permits in place. Flaig said she would look into the two residents/properties who did not turn in surveys and see if they were vacant, which could perhaps increase the percentage the township has for funding. After a long discussion, Cunningham reiterated his point that “grinder pumps seem to be the way to go.”

Other business

Following some changes set forth by the Farm Show Board of Directors at last month’s meeting, the Farm Show lease with the township was signed into effect. This lease would last for 8 years and then be renewed again for 33. Both sides voiced satisfaction and relief that this process was over.

In his roadmaster’s report, Michael Fay said one of the township trucks is in need of a new radiator and it would be fixed soon. Fay was also looking at a 2010 F550 that has a snow plow and a spreader onboard. He was given permission to bid up to $27,500 for the truck for the township. Fay also brought up about plowing Yellow Springs in the winter which would bring in an estimated $8,000 for the township. The motion passed.

The township is also looking for winter help for road maintenance. Those interested are urged to contact the township office.

Supervisor Ralph Rispoli was absent from the meeting.

 

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