BUTLER TWP — Presented with preliminary cost estimates for two different options, the Butler School Board Monday night voted again in favor of connecting Summit Township Elementary School to a public water utility.

In a presentation during its committee of the whole meeting, Eric Buzza of engineering firm Gannett Fleming told the board that he recommended the public water option for the school over attempting to repair its well and installing a chemical treatment system to lower the acidity of the water.

The building has been out of use since January because of high levels of lead and copper in the water.

Pennsylvania American Water Company had told district officials it was willing to extend service from Hinchberger Road in the township to the area of the school.

In his report, Buzza estimated that the cost to extend an 8-inch water line from the school to the intersection of Bonniebrook Road and Brinker Road would be $231,250.

The cost to repair the well and install a chemical treatment system would be $215,000, though Buzza noted that his estimate of $100,000 for well repairs was a placeholder and the amount could actually be much higher.

“If significant reconstruction of the wells or new wells are required, it could be much higher,” he said.

The public water option would also save the district money in the long term because it would no longer have to pay $20,000 per year for a licensed water operator. Switching to public water was estimated to cost the district $324,250 during the next 20 years in capital and annual costs, while staying with well water was estimated to cost the district $544,000 during the next 20 years.

Those totals did not include an estimated $400,000 to $450,000 that the district may end up spending to replace plumbing and fixtures inside the school.

Buzza said the corrosiveness of the well water was what caused the lead soldering and copper pipes to dissolve into the school's water. When the corrosiveness of the water is corrected, the problem with the fixtures typically goes away, Buzza said. However, it is difficult to predict how long that would take.

“It's not a magic wand, it's not going to be right away,” he said.

Gannett Fleming has not yet made a recommendation on whether the district should replace the plumbing.

A vote to move forward with the plan to connect to public water was passed by a vote of 8-1, with Bill Halle voting against.

Halle questioned whether the board should make such a large investment in the school, especially when the district may have to consolidate its schools again in the future.

“To me this is financially irresponsible,” he said.

Several board members responded saying that they had made a commitment to get the school back open.

Board member Neil Convery said the district needs an elementary school in its eastern part serving students in Summit and Clearfield townships.

“Summit should absolutely be off the table for any further consolidation consideration,” he said.

Board Vice President Jennifer Cummings said she would have liked to do research to see if re-opening Oakland Township Elementary School, the sale of which has not closed, would have been a viable alternative.

The board may consider doing bond issues to finance some of the expenses for Summit school and other urgent capital projects such as roof replacements.

Attorney Anthony Ditka presented to the board Monday about possibly doing a bond issue between early July and Oct. 1 when it will be open for refinancing of about $4 million in debt from 2012.

The bond would have a 25-year term, which means the projects would have to last at least that long, he said. Plumbing work at Summit school and roof replacements would both qualify, he said.

The board will discuss what course it would like to take at its next finance committee meeting, Nina Teff, board president, said.