The Connoquenessing Township supervisors motioned to elect Bill Long and Ken Danbaugh as members of the sewer authority board at their meeting Wednesday night.

Edward Rupert, vice chairman, said that five people applied for the position and that all were excellent candidates.

The new members will replace Brent Benoit and Tom Barrnett. Long will fulfill Benoit's position until the end of 2021, and Danbaugh will serve until 2024.

The public commented for nearly 45 minutes about plans regarding a proposed sewage system, which was set to cost an estimated $22.5 million with a proposed $3,800 tap-in fee.

Terry Steinhauser, chairman of the board, said plans are on pause until they receive word from the state Department of Environmental protection regarding proposed solutions.

Community members in attendance praised the board for their work, and applauded the plan's halt.

“It needs to be handled in a way that's best for the public,” Steinhauser said. “We're trying to be as open and transparent as we possibly can.”

Steinhauser said something must happen regarding the sewage plan, but their hope is to find a less aggressive way of reaching the goal.

Rupert motioned to deal with sewage issues in the Route 68 corridor area by putting the Connoquenessing Sewage Authority in charge of looking at the feasibility of comprehensive plans. “This will be to take care of confirmed malfunctions on the 68 corridor,” Rupert said.

The comprehensive plan could potentially cost upward of $34,000.

A representative from Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company attended the meeting and proposed a fire tax to the township. He said raising the tax from its current half-mill to a proposed three mills could aid the fire company in its quest for a new engine and building.

The board motioned to have a public meeting regarding the fire tax to keep residents informed.