Everyone agrees that fixing the failing septic systems in two older Manor Township neighborhoods is going to cost money.

But is there a solution — either extending public sewer lines or building two "decentralized" systems — that's less costly to the 260 homeowners in the two areas?

That was the focus as the "discussion," sometimes heated, continued Monday night over the sewer dispute in two neighborhoods west of Millersville, Letort Manor and Perth Hills.

But another discussion came to an end Monday.

The five Manor Township supervisors approved a zoning amendment that's expected to pave the way for Funk's Farm Village, a proposed state-of-the-art retirement and assisted-living community outside Millersville.

An hour-plus of the nearly three-hour meeting was devoted to the Letort Manor/Perth Hills sewer dispute.

The Manor supervisors made no final decisions on the controversy, although they said a video conference call among township officials, some residents and a consulting firm is possible over the next several weeks to discuss the decentralized plan.

The residents have said they can't afford the $16,000 it would take to hook up to public sewer, as the state is mandating.

But is the alternative, the decentralized plants, less expensive?

"There's (grant) money out there, guys ... you just have to find it," said resident Ken Asche, as residents of the two neighborhoods made up a good half of the 60 or so people at Monday's monthly supervisors session.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has said the two developments must move from private on-lot systems to public sewer due to contamination issues.

Decentralized sewage plants are on-site wastewater systems that treat small volumes from homes or businesses clustered close together.

Such plans are feasible, officials say, but whether they make sense for the two neighborhoods or are more or less expensive than hooking up to public sewer are among the issues being debated by the supervisors.

Letort Manor and Perth Hills, built in the 1970s, have a history of failing septic systems, although some neighbors have said there aren't as many as commonly believed.

But the environmental impact of the failing systems fouling waterways that eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay must be addressed, officials have said.

The state has given Manor five years to actually implement its Act 537 sewer plan, which the township approved in 2006 and DEP approved last year.

• Also Monday, the supervisors gave the go-ahead to a zoning text amendment that applies to Funk's Farm Village, the community eyed for South Duke Street across from the Crossgates community, just outside Millersville.

The zoning issue "has been discussed by our planning commission and supervisors for the last several months," supervisors Chairman John May said, and "I think it's probably time to make a motion to adopt" the measure.

It was approved unanimously by the five supervisors, and there was little discussion.

The new community would encircle the popular Funk's Farm Market, which will remain open. The community would have nearly 300 residents, age 55 and older, developer John Hogan had said in announcing the plan in late 2007.

Monday's approval is considered just a first step in the eventual development of the community.