Hearings scheduled on project

Residents complained about trucks from the landfill.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HILLSVILLE, Pa. --Two public hearings are set on the upcoming waterline project in Edinburg.
Mahoning Township supervisors announced Tuesday that hearings will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 26 and just before the next regular supervisors' meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 11.
Both meetings are at the township community center on U.S. Route 224. A breakdown of waterline costs will be available.
The hearings are required for application for a $500,000 community Development Block Grant for the project. The grant would provide money for main and service lines.
Supervisors also announced they will apply for a $3 million loan for water and sewer lines through Act 108, a new federal program administered by the state that provides 20-year loans at 1.1 percent to 1.6 percent interest. The program also provides grants to help pay off the loans.
Other matters
In related business, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notified the township that it is eligible for a Rural Development Financial Assistance Grant. Those funds will be available in 2005 and could also be used toward upcoming sewer and water projects.
Supervisors also learned that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has notified the township it wants the sewer plan for Edinburg revised to include North Edinburg and wants the revised plan in 120 days. North Edinburg is located east of the Mahoning River and includes about 30 homes.
Residents complained that trucks from the BFI landfill in Poland Township are running a stop sign from a private road from the landfill that intersects with Main Street near the state line. Pezzuolo said he will notify state police.
Supervisors also discussed the fact that the township receives nothing from the landfill although all the truck traffic from Pa. Route 60 comes down Route 224 through the township. They said that Mahoning County, Poland Township and Lawrence County all receive tipping fees, or an amount levied on every ton of waste dumped at the landfill. Mahoning Township, however, failed to receive anything when the landfill's 30-year contract was negotiated a decade ago.
Supervisor Chairman Gary Pezzuolo pointed out that BFI did donate $360,000 a few years ago toward the township waterline. A resident called that "a pittance" compared to what the township should be receiving, and Pezzuolo agreed.