Higher Taxes, Sewer Rates a
'Possibility' in Foster Township
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Foster Township residents may be looking at an increase in taxes and sewer rates.
When asked at Monday's supervisors meeting if a tax increase is in the future, Supervisor Chris Wolcott said it's a "good possibility." Among the reasons is a 24 percent increase in health insurance.
Township Secretary Jennifer Gorrell said, however, that they're "not close enough yet to know what it's going to be yet."
Wolcott added that they "still have some things they're going to try" so they don't have to raise taxes.
Later in the meeting, Wolcott said he thinks they might have to raise the rates of sewer customers who are currently paying $24 a month.
He said the township is facing "a lot" of expense related to inflow and infiltration issues, adding that the cost of grouting one 3,000-foot section of sewer line will cost $32,000.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg of what we have to do to bring our lines up to compliance," Wolcott said.
He said raising the rate by $1 a month would bring in $19,884.
"That doesn't even cover this one section of grouting," he said.
He also mentioned the $7 million to $10 million cost of extending the lines from South Kendall Avenue to Rew, and the Department of Environmental Protection's mandate to improve the sewer plant, which could mean an increase of $18 to $20 for everyone in the area.
"I think everybody has to get ready for a big shock in their monthly sewer bills eventually," Wolcott said. "I don't know what the answer is when DEP's standing over you with a big club."
On a related note, residents wanted to know what DEP is going to do about Lewis Run not joining in with the other municipalities on the sewer plan.
"It'll be interesting," Wolcott said. "They could play hardball with them. They could tell them to build their own sewer plant. I have a feeling they're probably going to lean on them a little bit. But that's my opinion."
Throughout the meeting, several residents asked why the township isn't getting the grant money it seems other municipalities are getting – for sewer projects as well as other projects.
The question first arose during a discussion concerning having the township police cars equipped with cameras.
Police Chief Jeff Wolbert said they had talked to State Representative Marty Causer's office about a grant for new radios "but they can't even give us money for that" because money is so tight.
Interstate Parkway resident Joe Piganelli said he wants to know why the City of Bradford can get grant money "to decorate some street and Jeff can't get it to fix the radios, or upgrade the radios, in his cars."
Supervisor Cary Kaber said it depends on what kind of grant a municipality is applying for.
For example, he said, "Foster Township is too well-to-do, according to DEP" for a grant to help put in new sewer lines.
Presumed supervisor-elect Jim Connelly Jr. asked if that would change when the new census figures are compiled.
Wolcott and Gorrell both said it should if everyone sends in their information.
In other matters, Wolcott said he is still in contact with Linda Routzahn of Penelec about the power surges some residents are experiencing. She told him they are "still working on some things."
Wolcott said it "sounded like the old runaround," but Routzahn did promise to get back to him.
Also, with winter weather approaching, road department head Joe Sweet asked motorists to "stay off the rear end of plow trucks" because once the vehicles get too close, the plow drivers can't see them.
And, Wolcott said Conestoga-Rovers & Associates sent the township its quarterly report on the continuing remediation efforts on the property of American Refining Group that goes back to the Chemtura and Witco days.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Foster Township residents may be looking at an increase in taxes and sewer rates.
When asked at Monday's supervisors meeting if a tax increase is in the future, Supervisor Chris Wolcott said it's a "good possibility." Among the reasons is a 24 percent increase in health insurance.
Township Secretary Jennifer Gorrell said, however, that they're "not close enough yet to know what it's going to be yet."
Wolcott added that they "still have some things they're going to try" so they don't have to raise taxes.
Later in the meeting, Wolcott said he thinks they might have to raise the rates of sewer customers who are currently paying $24 a month.
He said the township is facing "a lot" of expense related to inflow and infiltration issues, adding that the cost of grouting one 3,000-foot section of sewer line will cost $32,000.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg of what we have to do to bring our lines up to compliance," Wolcott said.
He said raising the rate by $1 a month would bring in $19,884.
"That doesn't even cover this one section of grouting," he said.
He also mentioned the $7 million to $10 million cost of extending the lines from South Kendall Avenue to Rew, and the Department of Environmental Protection's mandate to improve the sewer plant, which could mean an increase of $18 to $20 for everyone in the area.
"I think everybody has to get ready for a big shock in their monthly sewer bills eventually," Wolcott said. "I don't know what the answer is when DEP's standing over you with a big club."
On a related note, residents wanted to know what DEP is going to do about Lewis Run not joining in with the other municipalities on the sewer plan.
"It'll be interesting," Wolcott said. "They could play hardball with them. They could tell them to build their own sewer plant. I have a feeling they're probably going to lean on them a little bit. But that's my opinion."
Throughout the meeting, several residents asked why the township isn't getting the grant money it seems other municipalities are getting – for sewer projects as well as other projects.
The question first arose during a discussion concerning having the township police cars equipped with cameras.
Police Chief Jeff Wolbert said they had talked to State Representative Marty Causer's office about a grant for new radios "but they can't even give us money for that" because money is so tight.
Interstate Parkway resident Joe Piganelli said he wants to know why the City of Bradford can get grant money "to decorate some street and Jeff can't get it to fix the radios, or upgrade the radios, in his cars."
Supervisor Cary Kaber said it depends on what kind of grant a municipality is applying for.
For example, he said, "Foster Township is too well-to-do, according to DEP" for a grant to help put in new sewer lines.
Presumed supervisor-elect Jim Connelly Jr. asked if that would change when the new census figures are compiled.
Wolcott and Gorrell both said it should if everyone sends in their information.
In other matters, Wolcott said he is still in contact with Linda Routzahn of Penelec about the power surges some residents are experiencing. She told him they are "still working on some things."
Wolcott said it "sounded like the old runaround," but Routzahn did promise to get back to him.
Also, with winter weather approaching, road department head Joe Sweet asked motorists to "stay off the rear end of plow trucks" because once the vehicles get too close, the plow drivers can't see them.
And, Wolcott said Conestoga-Rovers & Associates sent the township its quarterly report on the continuing remediation efforts on the property of American Refining Group that goes back to the Chemtura and Witco days.
.jpg)
Comments