JACKSON TWP — Jackson Township will consider implementing a mandatory tap-in to a proposed new waterline for a number of businesses near Cranberry.

At its Thursday meeting, the township supervisors will hear a proposed ordinance that would mandate that permanent structures on U.S. Route 19 between Zehner School Road and the township border tap into a future Pennsylvania-American Water Co. line. Buildings within 150 feet of the future line would be required to tap in, as would structures on Plunkett Drive.

Township Manager Chris Rearick said the proposed ordinance would affect only businesses and three landowners.

“They've all been consulted,” he said.

Those landowners responded to a survey from Pennsylvania-American asking if they would support the line, Rearick said.

“Pennsylvania-American initially projected that they could fully fund the construction of a line in that area, but that construction is based on the assumption that the businesses in the area would tap into the line,” he added. “That is the purpose of the mandatory tap-in. That assurance of customers allows them to contribute to and fund the construction of the line.”

As the township grows and development roads become Jackson roads, speed limits must be established and stop signs erected, Rearick said.Supervisors will also consider adding speed limits to eight roads and more than a dozen stop signs to the municipality's roads.