PGJTA eyes water works

OAK GROVE - The Pine Grove Township chairwoman and the chairman of the recently re-activated Pine Grove Township Authority (PGTA) both voiced optimism about the township's chances of becoming the new owner of the Swatara Village water works during the authority's organizational meeting.

Supervisor Diane Tobin opened the meeting explaining that the PGTA would be an operating authority, although, she said, the township would be helping out for several months. Since the authority was formed under the Municipal Authorities Act, meetings are open to the public and fall under the Sunshine Act.

According to Tobin, the township has already submitted a bid for the private water system located at the Swatara Village, but has not officially been notified that it has been awarded.

She explained that the township supervisors had decided to be proactive, and had approved Rettew Engineering to complete a water feasibility study. In order to meet a July 1 submission deadline for a H2O PA grant, Ronald Madison of Rettew had also been approved to complete a grant application. All that was needed now was the approval by the authority of several resolutions and letters for the submission of the grant application.

Madison explained the current Swatara Village water system has two wells, although the second one had not as yet been permitted. It had been dug by Tom Feeser of Aldick Associates to provide fire protection for Waterbridge, a nursing home which is located near the Village.

The $500,000 grant request includes, in addition to the purchase of the water system, money to upgrade the system, initial expansion work, administrative and engineering fees, and funding to complete the emptying of the lagoon which was part of the Village's sewerage treatment system.

According to Tobin, Charles Schwab was appointed trustee of Aldick Associates' holding when Feeser declared bankruptcy and Schwab had included emptying the lagoon in the bid requirements for the water system.

Madison noted he understands three private companies have also submitted bids. They are big companies, sound companies, he said, and provide a good product, but you pay for it.

Madison also noted there will be many others applying for the H2O PA grant and whether or not Pine Grove Township Authority is successful will not be known until November. He said a $500,000 line of credit has already been approved, as well as a $250,000 loan.

The board agreed to meet in September, and again in November. If all goes as planned, the board will begin meeting monthly on the third Wednesday of the month beginning in January. "Optimistically, you'd have ownership and money in January," said Madison, suggesting, however, that the authority request 'seed money' from the township supervisors.

The members voted unanimously to appoint John H. Stahl as the PGTA chairman, John R. Benner, vice-chairman, and Anna Marie Ricciardi, secretary-treasurer.

Stahl had served as chairman of the Pine Grove Joint Treatment Authority for several years, and on the township's recently formed water research committee, and was appointed by the supervisors to a five-year term on the PGTA. Benner will serve a four-year term, followed by Allen Fischer, three years, John R. Klinger, Sr. two, and Ricciardi, one. When these terms expire, all new appointments will be for a period of five years.

Benner, Fischer, and Ricciardi are residents of the Swatara Village, while Klinger had served on the Joint Treatment Authority and was the chairman of the Pine Grove Township Authority before its deactivation when the township and Pine Grove borough joined together to form the Joint Treatment Authority.

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