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By J.R. Brower

Peters Township residents serviced by the Peters Township Sanitary Authority can expect 13% sewer bill increases next year and beyond as a result of an expansion project at the Donaldson’s Crossroads Sewage Treatment Plant.

Much of the cost will be absorbed by a $7.5 million bond issue which was approved by Peters Township Council at their November 9 meeting.

Since the township has guaranteed the 25-year bond issue in the agreement rather than have the sanitary authority take out the bond issue on its own, the authority will save approximately $1.3 million. This is due to the fact that the township has an AA credit rating, according to Township Manager Michael Silvestri.

Officials said that the total cost of the expansion project will be nearly $21 million. The bond issue will be used to accompany an $11 million PennVest loan along with a grant from the Local Share Account to pay for the project, which will expand capacity at the facility on West McMurray Road by 45%. Increased development around the Donaldson’s Crossroad area has warranted the need for expansion.

PTSA Controller Patti Mowry told Council that the authority plans to begin construction in January and that that the expansion should be completed by December 2017.
In other business, Peters Township Council:
• Heard from resident Bob Donnan, who expressed concern about the possible size of a natural gas drilling site in the planning stages in Nottingham Township close to the border of Peters. Donnan expressed concern about EQT Corporation’s proposed Lutes well pad site on Lutes Road, which is within a half mile from Rees Park and Peters residential neighborhoods. He said that the company is planning to drill 24 wells at the site, and his concern was the impact an accident might have upon residents due to the size of drilling site. EQT spokeswoman Linda Robertson said since the drilling site is still in the planning stage, it is not certain exactly how many wells will be drilled. She said they are still evaluating the logistics of the proposed site, and her company would work “diligently” with residents and officials to address all concerns.
• Approved a new five-year contract for the township’s 22 full-time police officers. The contract with Teamsters Local 205 calls for a 2.5% annual raise and requires officers to wear bulletproof vests and have at least three officers be on duty at all times.
• Approved the purchase of fuel from Glassmere Fuel Service. The contract calls for 34,000 gallons of gasoline and 27,000 gallons of diesel fuel for $104,320. It was noted that the variable price was nearly $50,000 cheaper than last year.

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