In case anyone missed the point, it was clear again Monday night that residents in two Manor Township neighborhoods want answers to an ongoing problem.

The problem is a financial one in Letort Manor and Perth Hills, where residents face the prospect of an expensive switch from on-lot systems to public sewer.

But officials from the township and the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority said a recent decision by statewide voters could eventually bring some financial help to the two neighborhoods.

Residents in Letort Manor and Perth Hills, who again attended Monday's township supervisors meeting in large numbers, have been upset since being told that the cost of switching from on-lot systems to public sewer could be as much as $16,000 per property.

But a referendum approved by two-thirds of Pennsylvania's voters on Nov. 4 will provide $400 million for water and sewer upgrades, allowing communities to make critical repairs and upgrades to their water and sewer systems.

Does the Perth Hills/Letort Manor issue qualify?

LASA may find out sometime early in 2009.

The $400 million bond issue will allow the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, or Pennvest, to award grants and loans for water treatment systems and pipelines.

LASA's board could approve plans to move forward on the application when it meets Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 a.m. at the authority offices, 130 Centerville Road.

Mike Kyle, LASA's executive director, said the application would have to be submitted by mid-February to be considered by Pennvest at its April 20 board meeting.

If the application is approved, where the grant money would be used is not yet clear, Kyle said.

"It certainly would reduce the overall cost of the project," Kyle said, but the details would have to be worked out.

The Manor supervisors face pressure to comply with state Act 537, which is designed to protect the health of residents by ensuring that sewage-disposal systems don't contaminate local groundwater.

Letort Manor and Perth Hills were identified as needing better disposal systems. But citizen leaders in the two older developments say both actually have many working on-lot systems.

The Manor supervisors also on Monday approved a final 2009 budget that calls for no increase in the real-estate tax.

Next year's general-fund spending for the suburban township is projected to total $4.9 million. The township's real-estate tax will remain at 0.78 mills.


Staff writer David O'Connor can be reached at doconnor@LNPnews.com or 481-6033.