WILBURTON No. 1 - Several residents asked why they must pay for sewer service even though they are not yet hooked up to the central system during the regular Conyngham Township Authority meeting Wednesday evening.
Despite waiting for their turn to be hooked up to the system, residents are still expected to pay $63 a month for services they aren't even receiving.
Residents can either pay $63 a month or pay $252 every four months. About half the property lines are hooked up, but residents waiting to have their lines hooked up must still pay for the service.
James Tarlecki, chairman of the board of supervisors and the municipal authority, said it is financially impossible for the township to wait until all the homes are linked in to pay its bills.
"We have to pay bills, it's simple math. We can not wait for all the hookups to be completed," he said.
The legality of the situation was also questioned by some of the residents.
"Everything we are doing is standard practice," said Tarlecki. "We have to do it, there's no way around it."
Although there are still some residents reluctant to purchase a permit for hookup to the new sewage system, Tarlecki said homeowners would receive a discount, thanks to grants, if they purchase permits now, and it will be much more expensive once the deal expires. Tarlecki said all permits must be purchased by Oct. 15.
Mazzuca Enterprises Inc., Pottsville, is finished installing new pipes along Route 3006, and sewage from Aristes, Wilburton No. 1 and Wilburton No. 2 will be treated at the plant near Mount Carmel.
The board also addressed and promised to investigate installation complaints. The board said money withheld from the project will go towards property damage caused by the project if the company responsible for the installation does not make restitution.
In other business
The paving project has been moved from Wednesday to Monday due to rain. There will be no parking form 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Greco Lane, First, Second, Third, Middle and Amy Streets in Wilburton No. 1 and Main Street in Wilburton No. 2. Signs will be posted.