Feb 4, 2013 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – Cumberland Township Supervisors Monday denied a request by the Carmichaels Municipal Authority for $500,000 of the township’s drilling impact fee revenue for water system improvements.

The supervisors denied the request saying the township code did not give them the legal authority to make the contribution. “The second class township code does not permit it,” township solicitor Dennis Makel said.

The authority asked the township for Act 13 money to make improvements to the water system to help it address a problem it has had with high levels of trihalomethane in its water.

The authority was out of compliance last year with federal safe drinking water standards for trihalomethane; however, it has been in compliance with the standard for the past year.

The township has no affiliation with the authority, supervisor Bill Groves said. The authority was formed by Carmichaels Borough and only the borough appoints members to the authority board, he said.

“How can we give township money to just anyone who asks?” Groves asked. He noted Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority serves about 30 percent of the township and the East Dunkard Water Authority serves about 7 percent.

The Carmichaels authority may need money, but the other authorities may need money too and seek it from the township, Groves said. He said at the advice of the solicitor, the township couldn’t grant the request.

Makel said the township code “precluded” the township from approving the request. The supervisors could be surcharged if they don’t follow due diligence, he said.

Makel suggested the Carmichaels authority should apply for state and federal grants for the improvements.

The East Dunkard Water Authority, which he represents, recently rebuilt its entire treatment plant with the help of state and federal grants, Makel said.

The Carmichaels authority “has to be more progressive in how it handles these things,” he said.

The authority also recently provided the township with a report completed by its engineers, KLH Engineers, recommending changes in the system to address the problem.

Makel noted, however, the study does not provide a specific plan to address the problem. In addition, no plans have been approved or permitted by the state Department of Environmental Protection, Makel said.

Prior to denying the request,township resident Terri Donaldson asked the township to assist the authority.

For more than two years, Donaldson said, she has been trying to get the authority to do something about the system. “They’re not moving fast enough for me,” she said. “I feel residents deserve good, healthy, clean water,” she said. She admitted not having much faith in the authority to address its problems.

In other business, the supervisors received five bids for the sale of a 2001 Chevrolet Impala. The high bid of $1,207 was submitted by Chicago Motors Inc. of Chicago, Ill.

The supervisors also approved Brian Sokol as an alternate sewage enforcement officer and agreed to purchase one half acre of land adjacent to the township building from Mary Leichter for $2,000. The property had been appraised at that amount.