Prospect discusses plan
PROSPECT — About 40 people turned out for Monday night's borough council meeting where there was discussion, but no action, on a proposed water line project.
A $3.2 million project is being proposed by Pennsylvania American Water to connect water lines in Franklin Township to Moraine State Park.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would pay $800,000 and Pennsylvania American would pay $2.4 million.
Pennsylvania American also would gain at least 205 new customers.
For the plan to move forward, the company has asked the borough to pass an ordinance that would require the 205 property owners to connect to the new lines and pay installation costs of an estimated $1,500 to $3,500 per customer.
Council President Bill Marciniak said Monday that officials still need to have some questions answered by Pennsylvania American before council would consider moving forward with an ordinance.
“No decision has been made, I want everybody to hear that,” Marciniak said. “They said by March, but that's their deadline, not ours.”
Council must vote to advertise any proposed ordinance at least 30 days before it can consider it for adoption. A vote to advertise an ordinance was not taken Monday.
Councilman Bob Boice, in response to comments from the public, said the water company approached the borough and council still needs to decide how to respond.
“Don't blame us yet because we didn't vote that way yet,” Boice said.
Councilman Mary Harmon said the plan is an opportunity for the borough's residents to get clean water.
“Like it or not, to me, it is a gift to the borough,” she said.
Several residents spoke out in opposition to a plan that would include mandatory connections.
Jo Miller of Orchard Drive said her house and several others in the borough have natural springs.
“I don't want to use that water, it's going to have chlorine and fluoride and I don't believe in those things. I've got wonderful water. It tests out wonderful. It's wonderful to drink,” she said.Jim Reich, owner of Prospect Pizza of Main Street, said that his business is not part of the plan, but he is concerned that it could be forced to connect as part of a future plan.“You shouldn't impose your will on people. You shouldn't make them buy a product they may or may not want,” he said.Former councilman David Stellfox said that a number of the affected people are senior citizens who have limited incomes and can't afford a $1,500 bill.“They can't afford that,” he said.Several people also commented that borough officials should go back to Pennsylvania American to negotiate a different plan.Resident Doug Trimble said that he was familiar with other water line expansion projects in the region where it was optional for homeowners to connect.“Proceed cautiously is all I would ask and I think with everybody in this room, that's the bottom line,” he said.Marciniak said he believes there are also many, less vocal, people who are in favor of getting public water because they have contaminated wells. Though there would be installation costs, the price could be much higher if circumstances were different, he said.There is a loan program through Pennsylvania American and the borough is also looking into possible grants to assist elderly or low-income people, he said.A map and list of addresses along the proposed lines is available on the borough's website.Council will meet again at 7 p.m. March 7.
