Greenfield Authority to Develop New Water Source

The Greenfield Township Municipal Authority (GTMA) will move forward in its quest to develop a new water source after a vote by members at their May 14 meeting. Planned testing on a well drilled in the Martin J. Marasco Business Park will show whether the site has sufficient capacity to be added to the authority’s water resources.

A 72-hour pumping test is the next step in a plan set forth by ARM Group to see if a well drilled in December 2017 can be a viable source. The test needs to be conducted when it is not too wet or too dry to determine if the aquifer can naturally recover its supply. In addition, 14 neighboring wells will be monitored. An analysis of the water chemistry will also be conducted to see what treatment might be needed to ensure the water is potable.

If the results of the test are successful, it would be at least two years before the well could be permitted and connected to the system, authority engineer Eric Casanave estimated.

The project has been a long-term priority for the authority, which would like to increase capacity to support potential future growth in Greenfield Township and provide an additional source of water in emergency situations.

GTMA was recently informed of potential new development in the Marasco Business Park, although a tenant has not yet been named. The development of the new water source could benefit the business, but also influence the positioning of supporting water infrastructure, as both would be located in the same area of the park.

A burnt-up pump at well number one on May 10 demonstrated another benefit an additional water source could provide, authority staff said. Customers of the authority were notified to conserve water while the pump was replaced. Two storage tanks helped to provide the authority with water while the well was offline.

Greenfield Township Supervisors

The Greenfield Township Board of Supervisors (GTBOS) reviewed a proposed ordinance titled “Enforcement and Penalty Provision for Violation of Greenfield Township Municipal Authority Rules and Regulations” at their May 7 meeting. GTMA has requested the supervisors adopt a municipal ordinance that can help the authority enforce its rules and regulations with customers who do not conform to them. The ordinance sets forth the procedure for enforcement, which would be conducted by the authority and not the township. The ordinance may be considered for adoption at a future meeting, according to Arlene Kuntz, township secretary/treasurer.

Also at the township meeting, supervisors moved to seek quotes for guide rail along sections of Champion Road, Left Hand Gap Road and Spruce Street, according to Kuntz.

The Blair County Park & Recreation Advisory Board is seeking a Greenfield Township area resident to fill a board vacancy.

The township board thanked local Girl Scouts for planting flowers, donated from Seed Ball, in front of the township building.