Letort Manor Perth Hills Sewer Extension Project

Frequenty Asked Questions
 
1. What is the Act 537 Plan for Manor Township?

Pennsylvania law (Act 537) requires that all municipalities in the state prepare an official plan to address short and long term sewage needs in the municipality. The resulting Plan, called a Sewage Facilities Plan (or more commonly an “Act 537 Plan”) must be adopted by each municipality through ordinance, and the plan must be approved by the state agency that oversees all sewage planning (the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, or PADEP).

Manor Township recently adopted its Act 537 Plan, and the Plan was approved by PADEP on June 13, 2007.
 
2. Does the Act 537 Plan require public sewer for the Letort Manor and Perth Hills areas, and if so why?

The Plan identified Letort Manor and Perth Hills as a sewage “Needs Area”. PADEP requires that an Act 537 Plan include solutions to resolve all Needs Areas identified in the Plan. The solution identified in the Manor Township Plan to solve the sewage problems in the Letort Manor and Perth Hills area was a public sewer extension.

It is now the responsibility of Manor Township to implement the provisions included in the Plan, which include extending public sewer to the area of Letort Manor and Perth Hills within 5 years.
 
3. How can I see Manor Township’s Sewage Facilities Plan (Act 537 Plan)?

A hardcopy of the Manor Township Act 537 Plan is available for review at the Manor Township municipal office at 150 West Fairway Drive, Lancaster PA 17603 Monday through Friday 8:00 am through 4:30 pm, or at the LASA office 130 Centerville Road, Lancaster PA 17603 Monday through Friday 8:00 am through 4:30 pm. A digital copy is available at the LASA website at www.lasa.org, on the homepage under “Information”. Click on “Download Documents”, then under “Act 537 Plans by Township” click on “Manor Township”. A digital copy on CD is also available from LASA; just call the Authority at 717-299-4843 for arrangements.
 
4. What is the Township’s role?

The Township is responsible to develop, adopt, and implement its Act 537 Plan. The Plan includes the extension of public sewer to the Letort Manor and Perth Hills areas. So the Township is obligated under Act 537 to see that public sewer is extended to the Letort Manor and Perth Hills area within 5 years of PADEP approval of the Plan (the Plan was approved in June 2007).
 
5. What is the role of the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority?

Manor Township is a member municipality of the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (LASA). As a result LASA is the provider of public sewer to most areas of Manor Township detailed in the approved Act 537 Plan. The Lancaster Area Sewer Authority will finance, partially fund, and construct the public sewer extension to the Letort Manor and Perth Hills areas. LASA will then be the sewer agency for the Letort Manor and Perth Hills area customers, which includes long term operation and maintenance, billing, and customer service.
 
6. Will my house be served by public sewer?

The houses shown on the drawings are proposed for public sewer. The drawings can be accessed through the LASA website at www.lasa.org. On the homepage, click on “Sewer Project”. The drawings are also included in the Manor Township Act 537 Plan, which is available for review at the Manor Township municipal office at 150 West Fairway Drive, Lancaster PA 17603 Monday through Friday 8:00 am through 4:30 pm, or at the LASA office at 130 Centerville Road, Lancaster PA 17603 Monday through Friday 8:00 am through 4:30 pm, or on the LASA website at www.lasa.org on the homepage under “Information”. Click on “Download Documents”, then under “Act 537 Plans by Township” click on “Manor Township”.
 
7. Will I need to connect to the sewer (what determines who must connect)?

Manor Township Code requires that all homes within 150 ft of the sewer main must connect to the public sewer system.
 
8. What will the sewer service cost me?

There will be several different fees that will need to be paid as part of connecting to the sewer system. Some are one-time fees and others are on-going charges. The following is a brief explanation of each fee and charge (note that some are estimates, and all are subject to change):

• Special Purpose Fee: This is a one-time fee covering a portion of the cost of constructing the sewer extension for each customer. Although the final fee will depend on final construction bid costs, the Authority’s current projected estimate of the Special Purpose Fee is $10,500 per customer.

• Tapping and Connection Fee: This is a one-time fee covering the costs of a small portion of the sewer line (from the main to the customer’s curb) and for capacity in the sewer collection and treatment system. The fee is currently $2,750 dollars but is subject to increase in future years.

• Service line plumbing costs: This is a one-time cost of constructing the private sewer service line (sometimes called a “lateral”) on your property. Each customer will need to arrange for a plumber to install the sewer service line from your house to the connection point that has been made for your sewer service. The costs for this construction can vary depending on your unique situation. We encourage you to contact a plumber early in the process. Depending on the length and depth of the line the Authority estimates the average cost will be $2,000. This includes a $35 fee for the Authority’s inspection of the sewer service line into your house.

• Septic tank pump out and fill: For the purpose of safety Manor Township Code requires that you have your septic tank pumped out and filled with stone after you are connected to the public sewer. The one-time cost will vary, but we estimate the cost to the homeowner at $600.

• Quarterly sewer bill: This is an on-going charge for sewer service. After connection to the sewer system LASA will bill you on a quarterly basis for sewer service costs. This covers the costs for collecting, transporting and treating the sewage from your home. This is the bill that is charged to all customers in the LASA system. It is currently $73.23 per quarter. The Authority projects this bill may increase to $76.53 per quarter by the year 2010 when connection in Letort Manor and Perth Hills is anticipated. (revised 6/26/08)
 
9. Can some of the fees be paid over time? If so, which ones, and what are the terms?

The LASA Board will allow the two largest fees (the Special Purpose Fee at an estimated cost of $10,500 and the Tapping/Connection Fee at the current cost of $2,750) to be paid over time. These fees can be paid over a 10 or 15 year period. No interest will be charged, but a fee to cover legal and administrative costs related to the payment plan will be added.

If an owner chooses the 10-year payment plan, the fee will be $113* per month, while the fee for a 15-year payment plan will be $76* per month.

A lien will be placed on the property if the owner chooses to pay these fees over time. The lien will guarantee that any outstanding balance will be paid if the property is sold or re-financed.

* Based on the estimated Special Purpose Fee of $10,500 and Tapping and Connection Fee of $2,750.
 
10. When are the fees due?

All one-time fees paid to LASA are due at the time of connection to the public sewer, unless any of those fees are paid over time. The one-time fees paid to LASA include the Special Purpose Fee and the Tapping and Connection Fee. The cost for the plumber to install the private lateral and the cost to pay someone to pump out and fill your septic system with stone would be paid at the time the work is done.
 
11. Will I have to modify the plumbing inside my house?

Modifications may be necessary if sinks, toilets, showers, washing machines, etc. are located in your basement. The Authority will design the sewer system to serve the first floor of each house. Basement service may be possible depending on the elevation of your basement in comparison to the elevation of the sewer main. If you have plumbing facilities in your basement, there are options available to allow service to those facilities. We recommend that you contact a plumber to discuss your individual situation.
 
12. If I have a sump pump, can it be connected to the public sewer?

You may not connect sump pumps to the public sewer. The sump pump must discharge somewhere other than into the LASA system.
 
13. Do I have to provide a right of way?

Rights of way will be needed from property owners only if the sewer mains need to be located on private property and not within the public roadway. The Authority will contact you if we need a right of way across your property.

It is LASA’s policy to compensate property owners for the right of way if one is needed. We use a standard agreement that defines the conditions of how LASA will use the right of way. If you have specific concerns about trees, bushes etc., we can discuss those concerns when the right of way agreement information is sent to you. LASA has some flexibility in what we can do.
 
14. What will be the effect on my yard, trees and bushes?

LASA will use a reputable contractor to install the sewer mains. Generally LASA’s contractor will install your service line to the edge of the road right of way basically to your curb. LASA’s contractor will restore the roads, driveways and sidewalks to their original condition. If we disturb your lawn, it will be restored. The contractor will determine the timing and sequence of road and yard restoration.

If trees and bushes are in the right of way, or if they overhang into the right of way, they may be trimmed or removed by the contractor. LASA does not replace trees removed from a right of way since they could obstruct access to the sewer line in the event future maintenance of the sewer is necessary.
 
15. What is the project schedule?

The anticipated schedule is as follows:

• Design and permitting: Fall 2007 – Fall 2008
• Construction of system: Fall 2008 – Fall 2009
• Begin homeowner connection to system: Fall 2009
• Project completion: Spring 2011
 
16. Will the homeowner have any input on where they can connect to the sewer?

Before construction begins, wooden stakes will be distributed to each home owner. The homeowners should place the stake where they prefer the service line to be installed. We will try to install the service line where you indicate.
 
17. Will the construction create inconveniences?

Possibly, but we will do everything we can to minimize the disruption. The contractors will begin work early each day. During construction, you may experience short delays and inconveniences upon entering or exiting your property. Also, roads and yards will be disturbed. Please be assured they will be restored to their original condition upon completion of the construction project. We ask for your patience.
 
18. Who do I contact if I have specific questions?

The general LASA office phone number is 717-299-4843. Contacts are as follows:

General Mike Kyle, Authority Executive Director at extension 16
Engineering Scot Fertich, Authority Engineering Director at extension 25
Costs Mike Lehman, Authority Financial Director at extension 17
Field work Albert Knepp, Authority Facilities Director at extension 18

You can email any of the above by clicking on their name.
 
19. If I missed the public meeting Thursday June 28th, how can I receive the information?

Much of the information presented at the meeting is available on the LASA website at http://www.lasa.org, on the homepage. Click on the Information Link then “Letort Manor/Perth Hills Sewer Project” to see the following:

• Copy of the text from the cost portion of the presentation
• Copy of the tables used during the cost portion of the presentation
• Copy of the text from the engineer’s presentation
• Copy of the drawings showing proposed routing of the public sewer

The same information is available in digital or hard copy form; just give us a call at 299-4843, or stop by at 130 Centerville Road, Lancaster PA 17603.
 
20. Will the wells in both neighborhoods become cleaner when public sewer is installed, and if so how long will it take?

It is impossible to predict the extent and/or the time it will take for the groundwater in the area to become cleaner after public sewer is installed. However, the adverse impact on the groundwater from failing septic systems will immediately be eliminated after the on-lot systems are pumped and filled with stone.
 
21. Is the estimated $10,500 Special Purpose Fee a “worst-case scenario”?

The estimated $10,500 Special Purpose Fee that will be charged to customers is only an estimate. It is based on a conceptual design trying to factor in changing material and construction costs over time. As a result, the ultimate cost per customer could be higher or lower. Although the Authority will do everything possible to make the $10,500 a “worst case”, there are no guarantees the cost will not be higher at the time the Fee is due (at the time of connection).
 
22. Are there any grants available to offset the property owner’s cost?

Manor Township is actively investigating possible sources of grants to offset the cost, but there are no guarantees.
 
23. Can anyone with a backhoe install the private service line?

There are no licensing or special qualifications required to install the private service line, but all service lines must be installed according to LASA specifications, and the installation must be inspected (and must be approved) by a LASA inspector. We encourage the use of an experienced professional with adequate insurance, since this work is dangerous.
 
24. Is development causing the need for the sewer extension?

No. The sewer extension is required by the Act 537 Plan to eliminate failing or potentially failing septic systems and the related public health and environmental impacts caused by the failing systems. The extension will be designed to provide service to existing properties, and future properties based on densities allowed under current zoning. The inclusion of future connections actually helps reduce the ultimate cost per customer for the extension.
 
25. Where will the main lines be placed?

Most main lines will be placed in the public right-of-way. During future meetings the Township and LASA will provide plans showing proposed layouts to allow property owner input.
 
26. Will construction begin in both neighborhoods at the same time?

The construction sequence will be determined by the contractor; however, the contractor will coordinate the schedule with Manor Township and LASA.
 

More Commonly Asked Questions Letort Manor and Perth Hills Sewer Extension
 
1. How has information been communicated since the public meeting in June 2007?

o  The Township has sent out several direct mailings that provide updates and instructions to each of the affected residents.
o  The Authority sent a mailing on May 6, 2008 to provide an update on the project.
o  The Authority has placed information about this project on its website at www.LASA.org.
 
2. Have the costs to each homeowner been finalized yet?

The Authority does not have any better information than what was presented at the first public meeting in June 2007. However, the project is now under design and more accurate cost estimates will be available after design is finalized later this year. The Authority is hoping to get the project designed and bid as quickly as possible to establish the final cost for the affected homeowners. One other potential benefit of bidding this project now would be to take advantage of the current highly competitive bidding environment.
 
3. What is the status of the project at this time?

The Authority has hired Rettew Associates to design the sewer system. Because Rettew Associates is a local engineering company headquartered in Manor Township, the Authority feels they can do a better job responding to homeowner questions and concerns. The following work is underway at this time:

o Evaluating locations of wetlands and natural resources within the project area
o Finishing the preliminary design

Future work will include the following:

o Finalize pumping station site
o Determine location of the sewer easements
o Prepare the land development plans
o Submit applications to various regulatory and planning agencies

The current Manor Township Act 537 Plan, which was approved by PADEP, requires that this sewer extension project be implemented within five (5) years of Plan approval. Plan approval by DEP was June 2007.
 
4. When is the next LASA Authority meeting?

The next Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (LASA) Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday July 24, 2008 at 7:30 am in the morning at 130 Centerville Road, Lancaster PA 17603. LASA Board meetings are held every fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 am except for November and December, when they are held the third Thursday of the month, same time and location. Agendas and minutes are posted on the LASA website at www.lasa.org.
 
5. What is the Authority doing to reduce the expense of the project?

The Authority is taking the following steps to minimize the cost impact on the residents that will be served by the sewer extension:

a. The Authority is planning to pay for $3,000,000 of the total estimated $9,000,000 project cost.

b. In addition, the Authority is initially paying for the entire $9,000,000 estimated cost of the project, and carrying those costs through the project construction. The Authority will not collect any portion of the cost of construction from property owners (through a Special Purpose Fee) until the system construction is completed, tested, and connections begin sometime in 2010.

c. In addition, the Authority will allow the payment of this Special Purpose Fee over a ten to fifteen year period at no interest, although there will be a small administrative fee to cover the Authority’s legal and administrative costs. The Authority in turn would not be reimbursed for the interest that it will have to pay for that financing.

d. The Authority has included future property owners from an undeveloped parcel sandwiched between Letort Manor and Perth Hills when calculating the cost per property owner. For the purpose of this discussion we will call this undeveloped tract of land the “Barley Tract”

The Authority assumes the Barley Tract will be developed, and that there will be future property owners to share the costs of the sewer extension with the existing property owners. The cost per property owner is lower when project costs are spread out over all current and future property owners, including the future homes in the proposed development. In this case we estimate that there will be a total of 571 property owners instead of the existing 266. As a result, the cost per property owner is about half, compared to a project spread out only to the existing property owners in Letort Manor and Perth Hills.

If the Barley Tract is ultimately developed, then each of the 305 expected property owners would be required to pay the same Special Purpose Fee that would be charged to the existing property owners in Letort Manor and Perth Hills, except that there would be no financing of the Special Purpose Fee allowed for the future property owners.

e. The Authority will assume 100% of the liability if the Barley Tract fails to develop to the expected number of units (305).

The Barley Tract may or may not be developed within the next ten years, and may or may not be developed at the anticipated density of 305 units. The Authority would carry these costs for some time before the Barley Tract is developed and built out, and could potentially lose expected revenue if the property fails to build out at the expected density.

f. The Authority will need to build a pumping station to transport the sewage to its wastewater treatment plant near Washington Boro. The pump station has been scaled back and made more utilitarian than a typical Authority pump station to minimize costs. It will not contain the typical features that make it easier to maintain and repair. For example, we normally have a building at each station to house the permanent generator and the electrical power and control equipment. Instead, we plan to use an existing mobile generator and eliminate the building and the permanent generator. These are features that we can do without in order to reduce the cost of the project without reducing the level of service.

g. The Authority hopes to solicit bids for construction of the Letort Manor Perth Hills sewer extension this year to take advantage of the current highly competitive bidding environment. We have information from other recently-bid sewer construction contracts that show actual bids are coming in below pre-bid estimates. Cost savings achieved through lower-than-expected bids on this sewer extension project would help keep costs down for residents in Letort Manor and Perth Hills.
 
6. We have heard that in the late 1990’s, LASA required the Washington Boro residents to pay much less for their sewer extension than they are requiring the residents of Letort Manor and Perth Hills to pay. Why the difference?

The Washington Boro sewer extension project was part of a larger LASA capital program at the time where there were offsetting benefits to each of the municipalities. In addition, the Washington Boro project was designed and constructed, and the residents were connected to the system, prior to a recent change in the funding formula used to determine costs for sewer extensions.

The current formula the Authority uses to determine the customer (and LASA) share of the cost is based on the effect of the project on rates for all LASA customers. There are approximately 31,000 other LASA customers who pay monthly fees for service. The Authority has decided that it cannot pay for sewer extension costs to provide service to new customers if the cost paid results in a rate increase to the other 31,000 customers of the Authority.

Based on that formula and principle, the Authority calculated that it can pay $3,000,000 of the Letort Manor/Perth Hills sewer extension cost without affecting rates for its 31,000 customers. Because the total cost is estimated at $9,000,000, the remaining $6,000,000 must be paid by the residents to be served by the extension, although that cost could be offset by grants or other outside assistance.
 
7. What is the effect of liens on properties to assist with the payment of the Special Purpose fees?

In order to protect a municipal authority’s ability to collect unpaid sewer charges, Pennsylvania 's Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law provides that any rates or fees owed to a municipal authority for sewer service constitute a municipal lien against the property. This happens automatically as a matter of law. When LASA allows a property owner to sign an agreement to pay their Special Purpose Fee over a period of time rather than at the time it is due, under this law that unpaid Special Purpose Fee becomes a lien against the property.

The Authority would record this lien in the Lancaster County Office of the Prothonotary for several reasons, as follows:

o A recorded lien protects all the rate payers of the Authority by insuring that unpaid fees are paid by the current property owner before the property can transfer ownership.
o If the Authority does not record its lien in a timely manner (by the end of the third year after the year the fee was due), the Authority loses its standing as a lien holder. If the Authority’s lien is unrecorded, other debts secured by the property receive priority over the Authority’s lien. This may put the Authority in a position where it may not be able to collect against its lien.
o If the title to a property on which the Authority has not recorded its lien in a timely manner is transferred to a new owner and the lien is not paid at or before the transfer, the Authority loses its right to re-attach its lien to that property.

The Authority’s lien is the same as any other debt secured by your property. The existence of any outstanding debt on your property reduces the equity in your property and may limit your ability to use your property as collateral for additional borrowing. If a lender has a question about the Authority’s lien, you will be able to provide them a copy of the agreement identifying the purpose for the lien.

It is our understanding that a lien by the Authority would not impact the credit score of the property owner. Credit agencies base their credit scores on information provided to them by banks, credit card companies, and other lending agencies. We have been told they do not get their credit information through a search of public records and the Authority does not routinely report this lien to credit agencies.
 
8. Are the residents of Letort Manor and Perth Hills being asked to pay for infrastructure improvements so that there can be developments in the area (the Barley Tract)? Is this sewer extension being caused by future development?

Because the future development (the Barley Tract) is sandwiched between Letort Manor and Perth Hills, the cost to run the sewer main past the proposed development area is negligible, since a gravity main is required to connect Letort Manor to Perth Hills regardless of whether this area is developed. There is actually a benefit to the residents in Letort Manor and Perth Hills by having an undeveloped area in the project, since an additional 305 connections are being factored into the funding calculation. Without these additional 305 connections, the cost per connection for the Letort Manor and Perth Hills property owners would be twice the current estimate.

New development in the area is in no way causing this sewer extension project, nor is it changing the timing of this project. The need for public sewer is due to failing on-lot septic systems, as outlined in #10. The new development is, however, reducing the cost per resident by about half, as explained above.
 
9. Why is LASA (the Authority) raising sewer rates this year?

Sewer rental income is used to fund two parts of the Authority’s budget – operating expenses and capital improvements. Over the past two years, operating expenses have increased over 7% while new customer growth, which can offset these increased costs, has increased less than 4%.

Additionally, the Authority’s long range capital improvement plan identifies the future improvement and replacement needs of the Authority. The long range plan is then used to develop recommended incremental rate increases and bond financing or refinancing to meet these future capital needs. The plan identified over $25 Million in improvements and replacements necessary over the next five years.

The Authority feels that a proactive approach through incremental adjustments to rates to cover its operating costs and to finance its capital improvement needs will avoid large, unexpected rate increases in the future.

LASA rates for sewer service remain competitive in the region. Regional sewer rates have averaged 3% annual increases over the past eight years, while LASA’s rates have increased less than 1.5% per year during the same time period. A recent survey of sewer service rates indicates LASA’s rates are 15th among 40 sewer service providers surveyed in the region.
 
10. If our well water is treated, or if we get public water, can installation of public sewer be avoided?

The purpose of public sewers is to replace the numerous failing (and potentially failing) on-lot sewage (septic) systems serving the homes in Letort Manor and Perth Hills. Eliminating these septic systems will ultimately reduce not only groundwater contamination but will also eliminate the surface discharge of untreated sewage resulting from failing on-lot septic systems. Ultimately, public sewer will reduce the occurrence of disease and environmental pollution. The failure of one septic system in your neighborhood can affect everyone that lives there. Treating the drinking water or using public water does not eliminate the potential to spread disease from failing septic systems.
 
11. What were the results of the surveys and well testing done in the Letort Manor and Perth Hills areas as part of the Act 537 Plan? Why did this result in our neighborhoods being characterized as “needs areas”?

The results of the surveys and testing are detailed in Manor Township’s Act 537 Plan. The Act 537 Plan is available for review at the Manor Township building or at the LASA website at www.lasa.org.

A summary of the results was presented in October 2004 during a presentation at a Manor Township Board of Supervisors meeting, as follows:

Letort Manor Area Perth Hills Area
Survey Results 75 (56%) 72 (55%)
Confirmed Malfunctions 17 (23%) 7 (10%)
Suspected Malfunctions 10 (13%) 6 (8%)
Potential Malfunctions 6 (8%) 26 (36%)
Wells with Fecal Coliform Bacteria 3 of 25 (12%) 6 of 28 (21%)

It was determined that Letort Manor met the following DEP needs criteria:

o Lots are typically too small for on-lot systems: approximately 60% are ½ acre or less
o Soils have severe limitations for on-lot systems according to Lancaster County soil survey
o Greater than 15% rate of confirmed on-lot system malfunction and 5% fecal Coliform contamination of drinking water
o Exceeds 10% fecal Coliform contamination of drinking water
o Nearly meets 25% rate of confirmed on-lot system malfunction

It was determined that Perth Hills met the following DEP needs criteria:

o Lots are typically too small for on-lot systems: approximately 85% are ¾ acre or less
o Soils have severe limitations for on-lot systems according to Lancaster County soil survey
o Exceeds 10% fecal Coliform contamination of drinking water
 
12. Will the addition of public water and sewer spur a development boom in this area?

Development and growth are controlled through Township zoning and planning. Factors that can affect zoning decisions include the proximity to public infrastructure such as public utilities and roads.
 
13. Why is the cost of this sewer extension project so high?

When a site is developed without the necessary infrastructure, the costs to extend the infrastructure and provide the required services can be expensive.

The Letort and Perth Hills communities are located a substantial distance from LASA’s existing sewer infrastructure and it is therefore costly to provide sewer service to this community. The system will contain nearly 8 miles of pipe, including the pipe within the neighborhoods as well as the pipe to get to the existing LASA system near Central Manor.
 
14. Were options other than public sewer examined? If so, why was public sewer selected?

Multiple options were evaluated by ARRO Consulting as part of the Act 537 Plan preparation. The evaluation considered non-public sewer options. The cost evaluations and recommendations were included in the final Plan adopted by the Township and LASA, and approved by PADEP.

Options that were evaluated included the following: Public sewer and variations of public sewer with multiple options to collect and treat some of the properties within Perth Hills including a small pump station, community on-lot system, low pressure system, and deep gravity collection; other alternatives to treat and/or convey the collected sewage from both developments, including pumping to LASA’s Blue Rock pump station (then to the LASA treatment plant), relocate LASA’s Blue Rock pump station to Letort Manor area (then pump to the LASA treatment plant), pumping to LASA’s Central Manor pump station (then to the LASA treatment plant), a decentralized package wastewater treatment plant with stream discharge, and a decentralized package wastewater treatment plant with spray irrigation of wastewater.

The options that were recommended in the final Act 537 Plan included public sewer with a small pump station to collect and treat some of the properties within Perth Hills, then pumping the collected sewage from both developments to the LASA Central Manor pump station and ultimately to the LASA treatment plant.
Public sewer was recommended because it was the lowest cost alternative evaluated.
 
15.  How much would the Authority contribute toward the project if the cost of the project is less than the estimated $9 Million? Would the Authority pay $3 Million or would it instead pay 1/3 the cost, which would be less than $3 Million?

The Lancaster Area Sewer Authority has agreed to pay $3 Million, or 1/3 the cost of the project, whichever is greater. In other words, the Authority will pay $3 Million even if the project costs less than $9 Million. If the project costs in excess of $9 Million, the Authority would end up contributing 1/3, which would be more than $3 Million. Either way, the Authority has promised to pay at least $3 Million toward the project.
 
16.  At the May 19, 2008 public meeting it was reported that a portion of the Barley tract might be used to site a church, and as a result might not develop to its total expected build-out of 305 units. What would happen to the Special Purpose Fee if the Barley tract fails to build-out to 305 units?

The Special Purpose Fee will be based on 571 customers regardless of how the Barley tract builds-out. The Special Purpose Fee is calculated by dividing the construction cost of the extension (after the LASA contribution) by the total number of current and projected future customers. In other words, the greater the number of customers the lower the Special Purpose Fee.

The Authority has agreed that it will use the figure 571 to calculate the Special Purpose Fee regardless of what happens to the Barley tract. The 571 includes 266 current customers and 305 future customers based on the current zoning of the Barley Tract. If a portion of the Barley tract ends up housing a church at a lower density, the Authority would still use (to the benefit of the residents) the 571 to calculate the Special Purpose Fee.
 
17.  There might be future customers who are not included in the 571 customers cited above who, at some later point in time connect to the public sewer and benefit from the sewer extension that the residents of Letort Manor and Perth Hills helped pay for. If so, would the property owners who helped pay for the system receive some type of reimbursement?

We do not anticipate that there will be more than 571 customers connecting to the system. However, if the total number of customers connecting to the system exceeds 571, there are provisions in the law for reimbursement of a portion of the cost to the residents who paid the initial $10,500 Special Purpose Fee.
 
18.  What happens if the sewer extension project is delayed and sewer connections are postponed beyond the 5-years specified in the Manor Township Act 537 Plan?

The Manor Township Act 537 Plan calls for public sewer extension to Letort Manor and Perth Hills within 5-years of Plan approval by DEP. DEP approved the plan in June of 2007, so the sewer extension and the sewer connections must be implemented by June of 2012.
 
19.  We have heard that there is no formal DEP order or mandate to construct public sewer. If that is true, why must this sewer extension be done at all?

As stated earlier, Manor Township is required to follow their approved Act 537 Plan. Their Plan calls for a public sewer extension to Letort Manor and Perth Hills within 5-years of Plan approval by DEP. That sewer extension is under design and scheduled to be completed within the 5-year schedule cited in the Plan.

As a result, there is no reason for DEP to issue an order or to take any other enforcement action because the Township is currently following its Plan.
 
20.  Was the Act 537 Plan completed properly? Were the septic system surveys done in compliance with all DEP criteria?

In 2001 seven different municipalities (including Manor Township) contracted with ARRO Consulting to complete their Act 537 Plans and perform the needs analysis (which included septic system surveys). ARRO Consulting is a professional engineering firm that has done many DEP-approved Act 537 Plans. The Act 537 Plan, along with the needs analysis, was presented at several public meetings, and was adopted by the Township. DEP actually participated in the Plan development and formally approved the Plan (along with the needs analysis) in 2007. It is our understanding that the Plan was completed in accordance with all DEP requirements that were in place at the time.
 
21.  The Authority originally estimated the average cost for property owners to install their private sewer line (private lateral) to be $2,000. We have heard this estimate might be very optimistic, and the actual cost to the property owner might be significantly higher. Does the Authority have a more accurate estimate for installation of the private lateral?

The cost for the property owner to install their private lateral from the house to the property line will vary from property to property, depending on the length and depth of the lateral, soil conditions, and the location of driveways, trees, fences, etc. But based on the most recent design the Authority agrees that the average cost may exceed $2,000.

The Authority’s $2,000 cost estimate was based on a rough estimate of length and depth prior to any preliminary design. The design engineer now has more accurate lengths that could be used to obtain better estimates of cost. The Authority will continue to work with the property owners to refine the cost estimate for installation of the private lateral.
 
22.  I have heard that there are some properties that will need a sewage grinder pump in order to connect to the public sewer. If I need a sewage grinder pump will that be an added cost?

The preliminary layout of the sewer extension includes 39 low-lying properties that require sewage grinder pumps. The grinder pumps for those properties will be supplied by the Authority at no additional cost to the resident. It will be up to the resident to install the lateral from their house to the grinder pump (located outside). The Authority will install the grinder pump basin, control panel, electrical conduit, and discharge line from the grinder pump to the main. The property owner would then own the grinder pump and would be responsible to operate and maintain the pump.

Grinder pumps require minimal maintenance, and typically last for many years. Replacement of the grinder pump would be at the property owner’s cost. Cost of operation is basically limited to paying for electricity and any miscellaneous repairs. We have been told the electric cost to operate a grinder pump for one year is comparable to the cost to run a television set for one year.
 
23.  If Manor Township modifies its Act 537 Plan to shift from public sewer to some type of de-centralized sewer system, would the Authority be mandated to own and operate the decentralized system?

No, the Authority would be under no obligation to own or operate such a system. The Authority has agreed to provide public sewer to serve the Letort Manor and Perth Hills area consistent with the Township-adopted and DEP-approved Act 537 Plan, and continues to expend significant public funds in design of that project. The Authority is not in the position to own or operate a decentralized sewer system to serve this area.
 
24.  Is LASA making a profit from this project? What is the relationship between LASA and the Township?

LASA, as a Municipal Authority, is a non-profit incorporated governmental agency. The Authority is an independent agency of the Commonwealth, and is not part of the Township government. There is no direct association with Manor Township, except for the fact that the Township is one of LASA’s seven founding municipalities and as a result the Township Board appoints one of the seven members of the Authority Board. All revenues are used to operate and maintain the system, there is no profit.