WATERLINES Council discusses extension

The township could profit with a transmission charge.
BY MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Borough waterlines might be extended in two townships.
Walter Pishkur, president of Aqua Ohio, Boardman, Ohio, told New Wilmington Borough Council that residents of Wilmington Township, Mercer County, and Wilmington Township, Lawrence County, will be surveyed to determine whether they want water service.
Pishkur told council Tuesday that while the borough has already extended some waterlines into the townships, these would be more extensive additions. He said Aqua Ohio would actually sell the water to the townships. But he added that New Wilmington could profit by collecting a transmission fee if it agrees to let extensions be built onto the borough's waterlines.
The project is in the planning stages, Pishkur said. The areas at which Aqua Ohio is looking include the Orchard Terrace development that takes in 100 homes south of Pa. Route 158, a proposed new development near Wilson Mills Road, and some potential development areas north of the borough.
Displays must be OK'd
Also Tuesday, council passed an ordinance governing everyone putting on public fireworks displays in the borough. They will now have to notify the police chief 15 days in advance and fill out a form with details of the planned display, provisions for cleanup, proof of $500,000 insurance coverage and proof that the exhibitor is recognized in the state.
Council also adopted the Uniform Construction Code Act, which goes into effect Thursday in Pennsylvania. Under the code, construction and repairs and remodeling projects now require a permit that can be obtained through the borough. The code requires inspections of footers, foundations, framing and masonry, wallboard, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and final work.
Inspection exemption
Exempted work includes: detached garages and sheds less than 500 square feet, agricultural buildings, certain fences and walls, driveways, sidewalks, minor electrical repairs and maintenance, residential swings and playground equipment, some plumbing, prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep, and replacement of existing roof material up to 25 percent of total roof area within 12 months. More information is available at borough offices.
Fees for the inspections will be announced.
Inspections will be provided by Code.sys, a Pittsburgh firm hired by the Lawrence County Regional Council of Governments to provide inspection services to participating municipalities.
It also was announced that council made donations of $700 to Westminster College for the recent fireworks display and $250 to the Lawrence County Crisis Center.
The donations had been discussed at the last meeting, but amounts were not decided until later.