SAXONBURG — Because the Saxonburg Area Authority is in the middle of a $52.5 million sewage treatment expansion, officials have started planning for the growth stemming from that project.

The authority board on Wednesday discussed what needs to be included in the 2007 budget, including additional field workers.

Authority engineer Paul Cornetti said up to three new field workers would be needed to handle the additional lines and maintain the new treatment plant being built on Renfrew Road in Penn Township.

Controller Mary Papik on Thursday estimated the new staff would cost $84,000 next year. The lowest base salary would be $27,800.

Since the authority shares the workers with the borough, Saxonburg would pay 11 percent of that amount.

The authority and borough currently employ five field workers, who cost a total of $173,000 this year.

Although two workers man the current plant on Dinnerbell Road in Jefferson Township eight hours on weekdays, with brief checkups on weekends, they can be called away for line breaks or other field assignments.

Cornetti said the new plant should have one worker there at all times during first shift on weekdays. To meet state Department of Environmental Protection requirements, more time will be needed for more extensive testing of the material processed at the plant.

An automated warning system will alert officials when there is a problem at the plant during off hours.

Also, weekend hours would increase because of numerous pump stations added to the system.

While additional workers would not be needed in January, several months before the new treatment plant is operational, Cornetti recommended they start then.

Along with manpower, the authority's expansion will affect its vehicle needs.

The authority also shares the use and cost of vehicles with the borough. Since the authority uses the equipment more, it covers 88 percent of those costs.

The authority will assess which vehicles it should repair and which should be replaced next year. The current fleet has four pickup trucks, a dump truck and a backhoe.

The expanded sewage system eventually will require buying equipment previously not needed, including a trackhoe — a backhoe with bulldozer tracks instead of wheels to go to more off-road sites.

The board decided to not buy such vehicles next year, as they can rented until the need for their use increases.

Authority board member Dave McMaster agreed with Cornetti and Papik that the vehicles should be assessed.

"They're going to eat us alive in maintenance costs," he said about not considering replacing the vehicles in worst shape.

One vehicle needing replaced now is a 1990 Chevy Caprice used by the authority staff.

The authority board authorized a new vehicle be bought for no more than $20,000.

The next authority budget meeting is Oct. 24 at the Saxonburg Municipal Building on Main Street.