Ganister Sewer Planning Tops Catharine Twp. Agenda

Dave Cunningham from Keller Engineers, Hollidaysburg, was present on Thursday, March 21, to give an update on Catharine Township’s on-going project to provide sewer services to Ganister residents.

Last month, Cunningham and Williamsburg Borough Manager Joseph Lansberry scouted the Ganister area to come up with two viable options for the project. Cunningham gave two estimates during the meeting – a pressure-based system at an estimated cost of $590,000 and a pressure-based system for approximately $1.35 million.

Cunningham explained that each house in the project area would house a grinder pump and a small holding tank. Cunningham said that the township is still in the planning phase of the project. Construction would, at its earliest, begin in 2021 with tapping into Williamsburg’s sewer system.

“This isn’t going to move quickly,” Cunningham told township supervisors.

Supervisors Chairman Ken Brenneman said that he would like to see more Ganister residents attend township meetings and provide comments on the project.

Another project spearheaded by Keller Engineers is the on-lot management system of the current sewer system for Ganister residents. Cunningham gave a timeline for 2019 of writing and developing an on-lot maintenance ordinance. During 2020, 2021, and 2022, there would be an inspection of current tanks. In 2022, the township would enact its Act 537 plan.

According to Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), the purpose of the DEP sewage facilities program is to implement the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) in order to help address existing sewage disposal needs, and to help prevent future problems through the proper planning, permitting, and design of all types of sewage facilities.

Township Solicitor Dave Pertile suggested that drafting of the necessary ordinance should begin. Chairman Brenneman made the motion to do so with Supervisor Ralph Rispoli seconding, and the motion passed.

Engineer Cunningham also talked about a Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development grant that helps with 50 percent of all planning costs. Cunningham explained that Catharine was a “good candidate for it,” and that “there was no commitment to spend these costs.”

Cunningham estimated that development costs would be about $45,000, with the first step of the grant application being the sending of an approved task activity report to DEP. Chairman Brenneman made a motion to begin process of the grant application and to accept the task activity report presented by Cunningham and forward the report to DEP. Supervisor Heather Flaig seconded and the motion passed.

Township auditors Daryl Cole, Louie Brenneman and Kent Wilson were present to discuss the annual required auditor’s report. Cole explained that there were 23 findings during the audit and “a lot were administrative.” He added, “some can be fixed, some are already fixed and some can’t be fixed.”

Cole and other auditors cited one of the biggest issues as the transition of banks from First National Bank to Clearfield Bank and Trust (CBT Bank).

Roadmaster Michael Fay told the supervisors that the Farm Show Association was considering expanding its parking lot due to the vested interest of Violet’s Auction. Fay also asked supervisors to consider the purchase of a pick-up sweeper at a cost of $2,900.

There was a closed-door session following the meeting to discuss litigation.