Supervisors seek funds for sewer

By Mary Grzebieniak

Money also could be sought for a new township government building.

HILLSVILLE, Pa. — Mahoning Township Supervisors will try to get additional state money to supplement an upcoming sanitary sewer project.

They agreed Monday to apply to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a combination of grant and loan money. Township Solicitor Louis Perrotta said a total $11 million has become available in the state and that the township could get additional funding toward the Edinburg sewer project.

The money is needed because all the financing is not in place for the $20 million sewer project to serve 625 homes and the planned Centaur “racino” development in the northern part of the township. At their last meeting, supervisors dicussed downsizing the sewer project if plans for the racino do not go forward. The developers of the complex, which would include a hotel, casino and harness racing track, are looking for financing for the project.

Also Monday, Supervisor Gary Pezzuolo said the township should seek grants to build a new township building. Perrotta said the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development would be a good place to start. Treasurer Gil Lucarelli said new infrastructure money is expected to be available when President-elect Obama takes office.

Supervisor Vito Yeropoli said that after the last rain, 2 inches of water got through the building’s roof.

Pezzuolo said redrafting the plans for a new township building will be discussed at the next planning commission meeting in preparation for seeking financing or loans for such a project.

Supervisors also appointed Secretary Elaine Kielar to be the township’s open records officer under the new state open records law.

They also approved an agreement to charge AWK Consulting Engineers $500 per month to park a storage trailer on township property on the State Street Bridge in Edinburg.

The annual reorganizational meeting preceded Monday’s regular meeting. Regular meetings for 2009 will be held at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month. Yeropoli was named supervisor chairman and Supervisor Poncho Exposito as vice chairman. Supervisors will be paid $1,875 annually, the amount set by the state.

Township employees got an approximate 5 percent raise for 2009. This brings monthly wages for 2009 to $880 for the secretary, $1,090 for the treasurer, $1,160 for the income tax collector and $255 for the zoning officer. None of these employees receives benefits or mileage. The real estate tax collector receives 5 percent of the collection as set by law.

Laborers/equipment operators are members of a Teamsters local bargaining unit and will receive $15.30 this year, up from $14.80 in 2008. This will be the third year of their three-year contract. They also receive benefits. Part-time laborers will get $11.25 hourly.

Perrotta and Zoning Solicitor Thomas Leslie each will receive $110 hourly.