MAHONING TOWNSHIP, PA. Waterline project prompts increase in customers' bills

A veterans group wants to reactivate and put up a memorial.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- Water barely will begin flowing in a new waterline under construction in the north Edinburg area before rates increase by 18.2 percent.
Mahoning Township supervisors said Tuesday they have been informed by Pennsylvania-American Water Company it is filing for the rate increase to help pay the cost of improvements. The company expects the new rates to take effect in January.
The average household will pay an additional $5.41 per month, the water company estimates. The amount of an average bill was not immediately available. The last rate increase was in January.
Supervisors approved a $750 tap-in fee for the new waterline. Supervisor Poncho Exposito said grants are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay the fee. Applications will be taken.
One resident told supervisors the water company is also charging $30 to set the water meter for new customers. Exposito said that charge will be included in the customer's first water bill.
Exposito said final inspection of the Hillsville phase of the waterline will take place Friday. He asked residents who have any complaints about the line to contact him.
Other action
Supervisor Gary Pezzuolo said it has been determined that the Bessemer sewage treatment plant cannot handle flow from the township's planned sewer line. He said the township is looking at the possibility of building its own treatment plant.
Tom Duncan, former president of the Edinburg Veteran's Memorial Association, which last met in 1962, told supervisors the group would like to become active again and establish a memorial on the old Edinburg School property on state Route 551, now owned by the township.
Solicitor Thomas Leslie said he will help them file for nonprofit status. Exposito said supervisors need more details about the group's plans before deeding the property to them.
Mohawk Soccer Club submitted plans for two soccer fields at the former Hillsville School property on West Main Street. The group approached supervisors about using the land because there is not enough room at the North Beaver Township fields on state Route 108. The proposed fields would be for players 11 to 19 and 8 to 10. No action was taken.
Supervisors agreed to rename Park Street as Camera Lane. The change was requested by residents Linda and Mike Camera who said they have paid to put gravel on the lane and for all the upkeep since they moved there.
Supervisors agreed to inspect a Garner Road property, which has been the subject of complaints by neighbors, who say there are junk cars and a trailer in the front yard. Supervisors have sent two certified letters to the owner, but agreed last night to go to the district magistrate if the problem is not remedied in 30 days.