MIDDLESEX TWP — A clerical mistake required the Middlesex Planning Commission to reapprove a sewage module for the Madakkara property along Twin Willows Lane Tuesday night.

The error was committed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection, according to township manager Adam Hartwig.

“DEP missed something on the original submission that should have kicked it back before we ever approved it,” Hartwig said.

He added the mistake was recently realized by the DEP, which denied the sewage plan last week.

The DEP returned the module to the township with the notice that the error made it incomplete.

Hartwig told the planning commission the mistake wasn't made by the township.

The township, he explained, isn't responsible for making sure the planning module follows state environmental guidelines.

“We check for completeness,” Hartwig said. “We have nothing to do as far as correctness goes.”

The problem ultimately is just a bookkeeping matter, according to Hartwig.

The sewage plan left two pit sites unmarked. It needed to be resubmitted because the wrong soil report was sent to the DEP in the initial sewage plan packet.

Hartwig said there are no changes to the original sewage plan, just updated records.

“Nothing has changed,” Hartwig said. “It has to be reapproved and re-signed by us, and resubmitted to DEP.”

Al Terek, planning commission chairman, said he's never gone through a situation like this with the DEP.

“Basically, we're just talking (a) clerical error here,” Terek said.

Terek said once that was corrected, the problem should be resolved.

The planning commission unanimously reapproved the sewage plan. Commission member Alex Wing was absent during the proceedings.