NEW WILMINGTON, PA. Water bills will rise in April after council approves increase

The increase will help finance construction of two new water tanks.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Residents will pay 15 percent more for water beginning April 15 and may face another increase later in 2004.
Borough council members unanimously approved the rate increase at the request of Glenn Morris, of the New Wilmington Municipal Authority, when council met Monday.
The increase is necessary to help finance construction of two new water tanks, which will each have a 500,000 gallon capacity, as well as replacement of some waterlines in the borough.
Morris said some residents are questioning the necessity of building two water tanks. He explained that the two tanks will allow 1 million gallons of storage, the level required by insurers for fire protection.
He added that the two towers allow one to be taken out of service for maintenance without interruption in water supply.
Tower too low
The current water tower, which holds 500,000 gallons, will be taken out of service once the new towers are constructed because it is situated too low to provide the pressure needed by the borough. The new towers will be located on higher ground, and residents at high points in the borough will no longer experience low water pressure when the tank is less than half full.
Morris added that Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co., which supplies water to the borough, is asking for an 8.6 percent increase to consumers in 2004. If this increase is granted by the state public utilities commission, the borough will also pass that increase along to residents.
Hired officer
Also Monday, after an executive session, council hired Darrin Cwynar, no address available, as a part-time police officer to replace Charles Uber Jr., who was hired last month as a full-time officer. They also rejected Uber's request to waive the residency requirement for full-time officers. Uber, a Scott Township resident, cited his involvement in athletics in his district, as well as family concerns as reasons for his request. He now has a year and a half to move into the district.
Council also set a special meeting for 7:30 p.m. Monday, for adoption of the 2004 budget.
Council also approved David White of Wampum and Reginald Thompson of Slippery Rock as electrical inspectors for the borough once the state's Uniform Construction Code goes into effect. The two men were recommended by Code Systems of Pittsburgh, which was hired by a group of municipalities including New Wilmington through the Lawrence County Council of Governments to meet the new code's requirements.
Mayor Wendell Wagner asked why the area around the Isaly's store on South Market Street is so dark at night. Borough Superintendent Fred Garrett explained that the 400-watt light burned out and had to be ordered. When it arrived four weeks later, it was damaged and had to be returned. Garrett said he is waiting for the new bulbs to be delivered.