CLEARFIELD – The Lawrence Township Supervisors announced last night that they will be starting Phase III, or the construction phase, of the project to replace sewage collection lines in Hyde.
It was noted that township residents will see a $21 surcharge on their sewage bills that will go toward the CMA sewage treatment plant replacement project. Supervisor Chairman Glenn Johnston explained that part of the reason for the treatment plant project is that the current plant is not able to handle excess storm water infiltration. The township is under the state Department of Environmental Protection mandate to mitigate the township collection lines’ surface water infiltration problem or be subject to fines.
Johnston said every sewage system has storm water going into their sanitary sewers. He said the township knows it has storm water infiltration but not “12 million gallons” that the DEP is claiming. He said he believes Clearfield Borough and CMA systems contribute to that total as well. He noted that the township has spent years and a lot of money finding and mitigating any surface water infiltration into the township’s sewage collection lines.
Johnston said CMA’s treatment plant project hinges on the township’s mandate to replace certain sections of sewage line. He said the township already had plans in the works, as ongoing maintenance to replace sewage lines and had it worked into its budget. However the mandated project is larger than the annually budgeted allowance. Township Secretary Barbara Shaffner said the township will need bank loans to cover the costs.
Johnston said the supervisors are willing to turn the entire township sewage program over to CMA. “Consolidation is always better,” he said.
The Lawrence Township Fire Co. No. 1 at Mill Road provided a spec sheet to the supervisors for review for a new fire engine. The supervisors hope to be able to put the proposed purchase of a new engine out for bid at the next meeting. The department still has its engine in the shop, waiting for parts for more repairs needed.
