SUPERVISORS MEETING Sewer rates on the rise in Union Township

The $17 quarterly increase is the town's first since 1976.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Union Township residents will see their sewer bills rise by $17 per quarter, starting with the June billing.
At a recent special meeting, supervisors approved an increase of $7 per quarter to cover increased township costs for the sewer authority. The New Castle Sanitation Authority also has imposed a $10 increase per quarter on township residents' bills to cover increased costs.
This means that residents who now pay a $53 quarterly sewer bill will now pay $70, the first increase since 1976, Supervisor Steve Galizia said. In addition, the water usage to qualify for the minimum rate has been cut in half, Galizia said.
Whereas township residents paid $53 per quarter for 25,000 gallons usage, they will now pay $70 if they do not exceed 12,500 gallons. Fire Chief Randy Conti said the sanitation authority believes that most residences will fall under the 12,500-gallon level and that only businesses will pay the higher rate.
The rate for exceeding 12,500 gallons was not available Tuesday night. Galizia did say, however, that an annual exemption to the minimum is allowed for filling a swimming pool.
Township residents can call the township sewer authority for their household water usage amount for the past four quarters so they can determine whether they will fall under the minimum rate.
Volunteers sought for panel
Also Tuesday, supervisors asked residents to volunteer to be part of a new Neighborhood Advisory Committee. Supervisor Pat Angiolelli said the panel's purpose is to gain input from all areas of the township. Galizia said he would like to see four volunteers from each of the township's four precincts. These representatives would tell supervisors about local problems.
Typical problems would be sewage, drainage, ordinance enforcement and potholes, Galizia said. Anyone interested should contact the township.
Supervisors also approved the John McClure Subdivision for the proposed Hampton Inn that will stand on U.S. Route 224 in front of Lowes. That hotel development was announced last month.
Union Township also has received a $35,400 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to build a new pavilion at Scotland Meadows Park .
Specifications will be prepared so the job can be advertised and work done this summer.
Galizia said the grant will launch a five-year plan to replace pavilions with four free-standing pavilions and one enclosed community center pavilion.