The Upper Frederick Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to move forward with the Perkiomen Crossing Water Upgrade Project at their Sept. 14 meeting, starting with the design process for an estimated $138,000.

            The project is the result of a study conducted by vendor Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM), which was commissioned by the township to address the "system fire flow" throughout the Perkiomen Crossing Development. The project will include upgrading water pumps to increase the fire hydrant water pressure, upgrading the water main, and installing a second water storage tank.  The estimated cost of the project is $1.5 million.

            The study was presented to township residents at the May 4 board meeting and conversations were held between the board and the Perkiomen Crossing Homeowners Association (HOA) regarding the acquisition of additional land for the project. The HOA is open to the idea of an expanded footprint for the water and sewer plant and requested more information regarding rate increases necessitated by the project.

            Township treasurer Linda Major and manager Tracy Tackett prepared several possible scenarios, the most likely being a rate increase of $4 per month to the current flat fee of $14 per month and an increase of $1 per 1,000 gallons to the current consumption fee of $6.25 per 1,000 gallons of water used. This scenario imposes the least financial burden on the community.

            Tackett noted that there has been no increase in water or sewer fees for residents of Perkiomen Crossing in the previous 10 years.

            To fund the project, the township is looking to borrow the $1.5 million from PENNVEST, which provides low-cost financial assistance to help fund sewer, stormwater, and drinking water projects throughout the Commonwealth. The annual cost of the loan would be $95,382 assuming the township financed the entire project. Based on this annual cost, a fee increase of $4 per month and $1 per 1,000 gallons would still leave the township between $15,000 and $28,000 in the red annually.

            Tackett suggested borrowing the $1.5 million from PENNVEST and using the township's $550,000 in unallocated funds to offset the cost of repaying the loan over its 20-year term.

            Tackett stated that the project qualifies for a Local Share Account (LSA) grant and suggested that the township apply for funding but stressed that an LSA grant could only provide a portion of the total funds needed.

            The township's sewer account is currently operating in the red with a projected shortfall of $80,000/year for the next five years. The township has been transferring funds from the water account to the sewer account to cover this deficit. This leaves the township no choice but to raise sewer rates. To eliminate the need to transfer money from water to sewer would require a rate increase of $21 per month, which the township considers unacceptable.

            The board will consider various scenarios that include both the transfer of funds in combination with a rate increase and continue this discussion at the next board meeting.

            The board voted unanimously to approve conditional use to allow a private custom automobile restoration and preservation facility, 3 Dog Garage, to be located on a nine-acre site at 3029/3045 Big Road. Board chair Sean Frisco abstained from the vote because he is involved in an organization to which the applicant has donated. The board also voted unanimously (with Frisco's abstention) to approve the preliminary/final land development application for 3-Dog Garage.

            On Aug. 10 Upper Frederick held a public hearing for the conditional use application. The subject property is located within the township's central business commercial district.

            In other township news, the electric vehicle charging station is now operational. Plymouth Ambulance responded to 24 calls in Upper Frederick, 10 of which were at Frederick Living. The fire company responded to 14 calls in the month of August.