Sewer rates increase by $6 per quarter

The higher sewer rates went into effect Jan. 1.

By MARY GRZEBIENIAK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Union Township residents will see an increase in their sewer bills this year.

Supervisors agreed Thursday to the Union Sewer and Disposal Authority’s request that the township pass on to residents a $6-per-quarter increase in rates imposed Dec. 17 by the New Castle Sanitation Authority.

Those rates went into effect Jan. 1.

For the township’s 2,100 users of the sewer system, this will mean the minimum sewer rate will go from $70 to $76 per quarter.

Leo Carlin, chairman of the sewer and disposal authority, said after the meeting the New Castle Sanitation Authority attributed the increase to the cost of fuel and a general increase in expenses.

The supervisors also handled these matters:

USupervisor Chairman Pat Angiolelli said the first day for 2008 Scotland Meadows Park pavilion reservations is 8 to 10 a.m. March 1 at the township building. Only township residents may make reservations the first day. The rate for renting a pavilion will remain at $50 for residents and nonresidents.

USupervisors named Robert Mrozak to the township planning commission to replace Vince Fulena. Fulena was named to the commission at the reorganization meeting Jan. 7. Angiolelli said that he talked to officials from the state township association who said Fulena may not serve because his status as township auditor would be a conflict of interest.

UAngiolelli announced that township firefighters will be going door to door Jan. 26 to March 17, surveying residents in a periodic requalification for Community Development Block Grants. The firefighters will wear photo identification and travel in marked fire vehicles. Residents should call the fire department at (724) 654-7115 if they have questions. The survey will include questions about the number of people in the residence, their income category and race or ethnicity.

In answer to a resident’s question, Angiolelli said newly appointed township Solicitor Jason Medure will be paid $100 per hour. Medure’s fee was not available at the reorganization meeting.