DEP demands more sewer planning by Liberty Township / By Martha Knight

LIBERTY VILLA—Even as Liberty Township is moving forward with plans to extend sewer and water service farther into the township in one direction, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is urging the township government to update and expand its sanitation planning, especially for two other directions.

Board of Supervisors chairman Gary Turner read aloud a letter just received from DEP, in which Clean Water Program environmental engineer manager Michael Zimmerman acknowledges that planning has been accomplished for providing municipal sanitation for one area of the township. But two other major areas must receive plan updates promptly, the letter states.

Those two areas are along Route 155 north of Port Allegany, and Skinner Hollow, south and west of Port Allegany. The township was given 30 days to respond and tell DEP whether it will do revisions relating to just the two areas, or a revision covering the whole township.

Meanwhile, one hold-up remains in the project for which the township does have fully developed plans and funding, carrying water and sewer lines two miles southward in the area along Route 155 South.

The supervisors think it is a hold-up in more than the delaying sense, as the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad continues to demand a hefty “up front” fee for a right-of-way through (under) its tracks, and $1,300 a year thereafter.

“That would cost each customer $1.30 more a month,” Turner said. He has continued to discuss matters with railroad officials. Also being considered is a possible route that would not involve the railroad.

On a happier note, Turner summarized an email he had received from Chris Byham of Stapleford and Byham LLC, the law firm that represented the township in its dealings with First National Bank of Port Allegany, relating to financing the water/sewer project.

Byham had high praise for township secretary Lucinda Speeth, saying he had worked with many municipal secretaries and none of them had demonstrated the abilities and diligence of Speeth. He called her “a credit to the township.”

Township resident Betty Stebbins asked the supervisors for their support in getting the nearby bridge over the Allegheny River, where Route 155 meets Route 6, named in honor of United States veterans as a group.

Turner and supervisor Fred Ernst III said they would support that idea. Stebbins said she had discussed it with state representative Marty Causer, and he had advised her to sound out the township and Port Allegany Borough. Stebbins also plans to seek input from the local veterans’ organizations, which share the Veterans Memorial Home facility nearby.

Turning to road work the township crew has accomplished or plans to do this season, supervisors said they have on hand the guard rails needed to complete the Little Fogel bridge project, and will install them as soon as possible.

Cady Hollow Road has been upgraded and resurfaced, it was reported. The bridge will be tackled shortly, using a method supervisors hope will take only six to eight hours, keeping to a minimum the disruption in access by residents. The result will be a stronger and somewhat wider bridge.

Other road and drainage needs were brought to the attention of the supervisors by some in attendance and by a letter. Turner said those are or will be on the list in the township highway barn.