MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP - The Mount Carmel Municipal Authority discussed and unanimously approved its budget for 2012. The authority has an income of $2,081,400 and expenses totaling $2,057,450 with a positive balance of $23,950.
Phase 4 of the separation of storm and sanitary sewers in Mount Carmel and related improvements to the collection system will add $1,508,726 to its loan debt, which at this time is just short of $15 million. A $2 per month rate increase was approved and will take effect on Jan. 1. Customers will see their bi-monthly billing increase by $4 from the current $66 to $70 with their first bill on March 1. As a reminder to all customers, bills may be paid through automatic withdrawal from bank accounts, at the Union National bank and at the authority office.
Construction of the Phase 4 project should begin by the end of November and continue as weather allows. All streets affected will be restored to workable conditions for the winter and final paving will be completed at the end of the project in the spring.
Future expenses considered when discussing the rate increase included potential authority costs related to the Shamokin Creek Flood Control Project; interceptor cleaning; repair and replacement of aging sanitary sewer manholes; insurance coverages; potential permit, penalty and legal costs; review and correction to problem drainage areas; additional paving at treatment plant, and personnel matters.
The authority was informed that SEEDCO has provided PPL an easement to provide power to the nearly completed pumping station for the park. The authority assumed cost of construction of the pump station and is awaiting word from SEEDCO officials about potential tenants for whom the pump station was built.