First Posted: 10/28/2014
South Abington Township sewer bills may increase by about $6 per quarter next year.
Township Manager David O’Neill announced at the Oct. 27 supervisors meeting that Abington Regional Wastewater Authority (ARWA) recently submitted next year’s budget, showing a quarterly township obligation of $109.46 per EDU (equivalent dwelling unit), a $6.36 increase from this year’s $103.10.
“So that means, without a doubt, our bills need to go up because of their increase,” he said.
The board members, however discussed whether that is indeed fact, and concluded there is no way to know yet without the township bills in hand or the 2015 budget set.
Mark Dougherty questioned whether ARWA can enact the increase, which is due to operational costs of the new sewer plant, before the sewer plant is even in operation, which he said he would not be until September. The board did not have an answer to that question.
“There (are) more questions than answers,” Supervisor Joseph Sproul said. “And I’d like to get the answers before we get to the budget. …I’m not saying there’s anything wrong, I just need to understand better.”
The board members agreed.
The following items were also discussed during the meeting:
• A zoning variance request from Baptist Bible College in order to install a flagpole-shaped cell phone tower on the school’s property, which is in an R1 zone where cell towers are not normally permitted.
• The PMRS deferred retirement option program, of which further details will be available at a later date.
• The township post office applied for a PennDOT highway occupancy permit to install a driveway.
The next regular supervisors meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at the municipal building on Shady Lane Road.