FARRELL Sewer plan to be updated

The city must apply for the permit by Aug. 31.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORESPONDENT
FARRELL, Pa. -- City council agreed Monday to pay Gannett Fleming Inc. of Pittsburgh $3,500 to revise its long-term sewer system control plan.
Dan Goncz, an engineer with Gannett Fleming, said the city needs to update its plan to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requirements.
The state agency regulates the flow of treated sewage into the Shenango River.
The city must prove to the state that its sewage treatment plant is operating to its fullest capacity before DEP will renew the city's discharge permit.
That permit would be good for the next five years. The deadline to apply is Aug. 31.
Farrell has a combined sewer system that mixes raw sewage and storm water in some lines, allowing direct overflows to the river at three points during periods of extremely wet weather.
Goncz said the city needs to maximize its storage capacity to minimize the amount of raw sewage that goes to the plant for treatment until the plant can handle the overflow during drier weather. Maximizing storage capacity would lessen the amount of sewage flowing into the river.
Land negotiations: Council also agreed to allow LaVon Saternow, city manager, to negotiate with Colonial Metal Products Inc. of Wheatland to buy almost an acre near the former Polytech plant in Hermitage.
The company bought that plant and is looking to expand to the adjacent land owned by the city.
Saternow said that in the past the city has asked $20,000 an acre. The city owns 84 acres it is looking to sell.
Council agreed to establish a homecoming celebration, beginning next year, to take place annually during the second week of July.