Sep 1, 2016 2 min read

Sewage rates will soon be going up in Fallowfield Township.

Fallowfield supervisors at their meeting Wednesday explained the rate increase because of the $32.5 million combined sewage overflow project the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi developed at the direction of the Department of Environmental Protection under Act 537. The plan was developed by KLH Engineering.

Monthly sewage costs will increase $38 per month for six years and then increase $45 monthly for the remainder of the debt service. The authority intends to refinance Fallowfield’s existing debt service, which was for a previous storm sewage separation project. This reduction will reduce the current monthly debt service from $26.50 per month to $8 per month by 2040.

The design of Phase I is underway and construction of a pump station in Dunlevy will begin in 2017. Design of Phase II will begin in the fall of 2017 and construction of a pump station at Maple Creek will begin in the spring of 2019, with all work expected to be completed by the summer of 2021.

An informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Charleroi High School auditorium. Fallowfield board Chairman Wilbur Caldwell said all residents should attend.

“This is an informational meeting that will give the residents a better understanding of what the ABC is planning,” he said. Caldwell added a meeting with the authority and township superviosrs will take place at the next township work session at 6 p.m. Sept. 19. He said residents are invited to attend to voice their concerns.

“We have many residents here in the township that is elderly and retired. This increase is going to impact them,” he said.

Supervisor Bruce Smith encouraged all residents to attend the meeting Wednesday at Charleroi High School, not only listen to what sewage authority explain, but also to bring up cheaper options to the DEP.

“I feel that there are less expensive options to correct this overflow problem and they should be brought up at this meeting.” he said.

In other news, Caldwell met with the Multi Municipal Comprehensive Plan Committee and first on the agenda is a project to fund the demolition of the former Charleroi High School stadium property for future development.

“As a community we need to work together on project that will benefit the all of us.” he said. Supervisors approved a motion to apply for an Local Share grant application for the demolition project.