Funding sought for water line project
JEFFERSON – Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority has applied for $10 million from the state’s PennWorks program to construct a new 24-inch line through Waynesburg that will increase the volume of water it can provide to western Greene County and help serve Morris Township.
Authority manager Jack Golding told the authority board Thursday that the authority with the help of its engineer, Bankson Engineers, had been able to prepare the information necessary to meet the grant application deadline.
The authority has applied for a $5 million grant and a $5 million low-interest loan from PennWorks, which are the maximums awarded through the program.
The project would involve constructing a 24-inch line from an area near the Greene County airport to West Waynesburg, a 16-inch line on Route 18 from West Waynesburg to Nineveh and a 12-inch line along Tripp Hill Road.
Coal and natural gas companies operating in western Greene County that need additional water for their operations have expressed interest in the project and have indicated they would contribute money to help fund it. The project’s estimated cost is $18 million.
Authority manager Jack Golding told the authority board four or five energy companies as well as the municipalities and county had written letters in support of the project for the grant application.
In other business, the authority agreed to purchase the East Bethlehem water system for $160,000. The system serves about 190 customers. East Beth has been purchasing treated water from Southwestern for several years.
Authority solicitor David Pollock reported the authority has ended condemnation proceedings against the owner of Waynesburg Plaza for a right of way to relocate a water line for the state’s project to replace the bridge and railroad underpass in Morrisville.
An adjoining property owner, Dorothy Koratich, agreed to provide the authority with a right of way on her land for just $1, Pollock said. The authority thanked Koratich.
The authority approved the retirement of authority business manager Tim Cottle. The board hired Codie Dikun as a lineman and Frank Palone for a treatment plant position.
Board members Pat Knight, who is a union employee with the authority, and Mickey Dikun, who is the grandfather of Codie Dikun, abstained.
Earlier in the meeting, Margie Stoffa questioned the board about why her son, who is a veteran of the Afghanistan war, was not interviewed for the job. No explanation was given though Pollock noted the authority’s hiring policy, which had been approved by a federal court, gives no preference to veterans.