Sewer authority approves motion to seek bids for new sewer plant as soon as permits clear
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL FILE PHOTO - The Shenandoah sewer plant on August 1, 2018.
SHENANDOAH – The Shenandoah Municipal Sewer Authority took action Wednesday to try to expedite the construction of a new sewer plant, even if slightly.
The $18 Million project to replace their aging plant near William Penn, built in 1974, has been wading through regulatory red tape since funding was awarded in 2018.
At that time, the authority was awarded a $5,474,000 grant. and $12,532,000 loan from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service towards the project.
In October, Chris McCoach, of Alfred Benesch, and Co., the authority’s engineer, said that permits were “in limbo” for the project, but they had hoped to be able to seek bids by the end of last year or early this year.
As of Wednesday, those permits are still in limbo.
“To try to get this sewer plant moving, I request a motion to obtain bids for the sewer plant as soon as all permits are authorized,” Sewer Authority Chairman Charles Lawson said at Wednesday’s meeting. “That we don’t have to wait to have a special meeting or anything else, we give you [McCoach] authorization to get the bids out once the permits are in and we’re ready.”
Solicitor James Amato clarified that the authorization would be contingent on all authorizations from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the USDA being received.
Regarding the project, McCoach said they had their regular monthly meeting with USDA and provided updated plans to them.
“The ball is in their court on all of that stuff,” he said.
He also said they responded to DEP comments regarding two permits being withheld.
“There’s absolutely nothing on our end there now,” McCoach said. “It’s on them to get us those permits.”
The USDA also requested a letter of conditions regarding environmental mitigation measures be signed by the authority.
“Originally, when the letter of conditions to accept the loan and grant combination was written, USDA had not come up with these yet,” McCoach said, adding that they amend the original agreement.
He said they require the new sewer plant’s construction not disturb wetlands or endangered species, and require the authority to notify the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission if anything of cultural or historical significance is uncovered during digging.
The authority approved signing the letter.
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