Mt. Pleasant Township allocates impact fee money
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The largest chunk of Mt. Pleasant Township’s impact fee money will be used for a costly sewerage project that could take as long as five years to complete.
Of the $1.3 million allotted by the state to Mt. Pleasant as a result of natural gas development, $900,000 will go to the township municipal authority for a sewerage plant, pump stations and infrastructure. The township currently has on-lot septic systems, and residents have complained of sewage leaks.
The distribution of funds was unanimously approved during Wednesday’s board of supervisors meeting. Impact fees on oil and natural gas development were established in 2012 under Pennsylvania’s Act 13, and funds are annually disbursed throughout the state according to the extent of gas development and the budget in each municipality.
Paul Batista, chairman of the township municipal authority, said at a meeting last month that the sewerage project is estimated to cost $19.2 million, and up-front engineering fees could cost about $2 million. He estimated the authority could likely secure about $11 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, which leaves an $8 million funding gap.
In its motion, the board pledged to give a minimum of 50 percent of impact fee funds each year to the municipal authority for its project, as long as the impact fee remains in effect and the township nets at least $50,000 each year.
Of the remaining funds, the board deposited $234,601 into the township’s capital reserve account. Supervisors allotted $75,000 each to the fire department for a new truck and to the police department for equipment and a new vehicle.
The planning commission will receive $25,000 to revamp the comprehensive plan. Supervisors approved an agreement with Environmental Planning and Design to take on the task, which will cost about $34,985.
Another $20,000 will be allotted to the parks and recreation department for repairs and events. The police and parks and recreation departments must first receive board approval for any specific spending plans.