DUBOIS – On Monday night, citizens expressed their concerns to the Sandy Township Supervisors about Aqua PA’s proposed location in the Barbary Coast Court area of Treasure Lake.
The project requires the consolidation of four residential lots. Citizens argued for officials to identify a better location for the project.
Citizens were concerned about the project’s effect on their property values. There were also concerns about Aqua PA not being entirely accurate about the look of the finished structure.
Citizens believed Aqua PA would construct a brown building that would blend in with the trees. However, based upon the Bimini facility, it would include a chain link fence that wasn’t mentioned.
“Treasure Lake has thousands of acres of property. A building of this size and activity shouldn’t be built on a residential numbered lot,” said Robert Hooven.
Hooven added he felt like he was fighting to keep his retirement home that he built himself. He said if Aqua PA’s plans went through, he would have to move.
Hooven also said that Aqua PA has other locations in Treasure Lake on which it could build its facility. He said it should be able to afford it as a $7 billion company.
Supervisor Dave Sylvis asked Township Solicitor Greg Kruk questions about what Sandy Township could do so far as this matter.
“That’s why I am asking. You [Hooven] are asking us to do something that I don’t know we can legally do,” said Sylvis.
Kruk said he wanted to do some more research. However, he thought the township could either approve or disapprove Aqua PA’s two requests.
Kruk advised the supervisors that they would inspect the property. He noted they would need to notify all interested parties in advance. He said each must be able – if they choose – to send a representative to be present.
Kruk said the supervisors were allowed to look at the property if they were driving by for another reason and didn’t stop.
Also, during the Sandy Township Municipal Authority meeting, Manager Dave Monella announced that he had received an inquiry by a third-party who was interested in buying Sandy Township’s water and sewage systems.
The supervisors agreed to discuss the offer further after allowing other involved parties to provide their feedback on the issue within seven days, or Feb. 13.
On Feb. 15, the Sandy Township Municipal Authority will continue to discuss the inquiry and any other correspondence that arrives by Feb. 13.
Monella was directed to specifically notify DuBois City and Aqua PA Inc., in order for both entities to respond within the seven-day period.
Sylvis indicated that Sandy Township is just exploring possibilities at this point.
Additionally, Sandy Township has approved the application for two grants to fund repairs to the water and sewer system. Each grant requires a 15 percent match.
The supervisors reported that one grant application was in the amount of $416,450. The other was in the amount of $346,854.