Upper Hanover supervisors are set to make a decision in the coming months on $3.8 million in upgrades to the Upper Hanover Sewer Authority.  Those upgrades would extend sewer lines and service into neighboring Hereford Township.  

        At a work session Monday night, supervisors spent a lot of time reviewing the authority’s proposed Act 537 plan which would bring sewer service to the village of Chapel in Hereford, specifically, to Perkiomen Animal Hospital and any other existing structures in that corridor with failing systems.  

        Alex Dyke of Gilmore and Associates, the engineering firm for the Upper Hanover Authority, explained that the more conservative projections in the plan would result in an increase in the total amount borrowed for the upgrades but still felt the outcome would be positive for the authority.

        Supervisor Ben Fiorito, participating by phone, asked about the long-term capacity of the plant even with the more conservative estimates. Dyke responded that the existing plant, with a design capacity of 125,000 gallons per day and a current permit for 98,000 gallons would be able to handle the additional EDUs.  It is nowhere near capacity, officials said. 

Fiorito requested additional time to further review the information before making a decision. Supervisors agreed to table the matter until next month.

        “I certainly would like an opportunity to review the new numbers and meet again,” Fiorito commented.

        If approved by the board, the plan would then be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection for approval.  Supervisors discussed the issue again at Tuesday’s regular meeting and said talks will continue.

        “It’s a substantial investment to get transmission lines and service there,” said Township Manager Stan Seitzinger Wednesday morning.  “So they are looking at the feasibility of running down to that area.  They’re still discussing it.”  

        Supervisors also tabled a decision to allow THP to convert 46 units from an age-restricted designation to an age-targeted one within the Northgate subdivision.  Ben Goldthorpe of THP explained that the change would still encourage homebuyers over the age of 55 but would allow anyone to purchase initially or through resale.

        “Allowing all residents to purchase would really open up that portion of the community,” Goldthorpe explained.

Supervisor Dorothy Diehl questioned whether the change would ultimately place additional students in the schools. Goldthorpe explained that, according to the Montgomery County statistic of .26 children per townhome, the change would only stand to add 18 more children to the district. Goldthorpe added that plan changes in other areas of the subdivision should help balance the number.

        “Statistics aside, there is still the potential for a substantial number of kids in our school district,” Diehl commented.

Supervisors Steven Rothenberger and Fiorito agreed with the need to consider the impact on the schools before making a decision. Rothenberger stated he will talk to members of the school board before reaching any conclusions.

        “I’m going to need to chew on this,” Rothenberger stated.

        In regional planning business, Rothenberger reported on the progress of the wayfinding endeavors of that committee. Sign styles have been chosen. According to Rothenberger, Luanne Stauffer of the Upper Perkiomen Chamber of Commerce will attend the next work session to present a prototype and discuss funding.

        At Wednesday’s board meeting, supervisors granted final approval of the YMCA land development plan.  According to Seitzinger, the organization plans to begin preliminary land clearing this fall, with a target date of opening the new facility, off of Quakertown Road, in Nov. 2014.  

        The board also awarded a bid to Spear Excavating for $98,350 to replace a deteriorating culvert on Water Street.

        A service resolution award was also granted for Tyler Scardecchio, an Eagle Scout with Troop 108, East Greenville, for constructing two trail map signs at Camelot Park for his Eagle Scout project.