Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioners Approve Half-Million Dollar Sewer Project in Regal Oaks

A half-million-dollar sewer project in the Regal Oaks neighborhood was given the green light by the township commissioners Monday night.

Former Commissioner John Bealer, and sewer committee chairman, said the project to connect 25 homes on Rose Valley Road and Holly Berry Court to the sewer system will cost $494,076.

Happily, Upper Pottsgrove received a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Small Water and Sewer Grant Program to help cover some of the cost.

Bealer said the township had applied for a larger grant, but Commissioner Elwood Taylor reminded the commissioners that this was the largest state grant the township has received for such a project.

Also last night: Marc Debnam, center,  took the oath as
Upper Pottsgrove's 

newest fire police officer.

The sewer budget has enough in its capital budget -- barely -- to cover the remainder although Township Manager Carol Lewis pointed out that the tap-in fees those being connected will have to pay will put $136,000 back into the capital fund.

Each of the homes being connected will have to pay a $5,447 tap-in fee in addition to paying a plumber to run a line from the curb to their house.

As a result, this project will not result in an increase in sewer rates, Bealer said.

The septic systems at these homes are failing, largely due to the geology of the area, and Bealer said some people can't sell their homes because the cannot pass a health inspection with a failing septic system.

Over time, Bealer said the township will need to connect 75 homes in Regal Oaks to the system, which is now pumped up hill and into the Pottstown sewer treatment plant on Industrial Highway.

The project is not expected to begin construction until the spring, said Bealer.

Last night, the board also decided to reject all bids for a new salt shed, and will try to muddle through the winter with the one now on its last legs at the township facility on Heather Place.

They will re-bid the project in the spring in hopes of getting a better price.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting.

Half-Million Sewer Project