Residents at Monday's Caernarvon Township meeting expressed their disapproval of a proposed ordinance that requires homeowners to have septic systems pumped every three years.
Some residents said they believe the cost associated with the pumping will quickly become a financial strain.
Bob Watts, Lanchester Landfill executive director, said it would be less costly for residents to have their tanks pumped every three years, than to have to replace their tanks due to maintenance issues.
"Surrounding townships with on-lot systems have a similar type of program, where residents are required to have septic tanks pumped every so often," township secretary Kathy Norris said in an email.
In 1996, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act was enacted to correct existing sewage disposal problems and prevent future problems.
Currently, the hauling businesses that provide the pumping can do a site inspection to verify that all the septic processes are running smoothly.
If the systems aren't running smoothly, the companies can let the township know that repairs may need to be made.
In other business:
• Pennsylvania's State Police Capt. William P. White told residents the Ephrata state police barracks will be closing its doors on Aug. 17.
To aide in the transition to the Lancaster barracks, some officers will remain in Ephrata for several weeks after the closure to ensure that residents who come seeking help are not greeted with an empty office.
• Jim Cox, vice president of the Elanco Library Board of Trustees, announced that 118 adults and 1,084 children participated in the library's summer reading program — the largest participation numbers to date.
Also, the Second Annual Quest Fest will run through Aug. 18. Twenty local businesses will participate in the scavenger hunt activity.
• The township planning commission approved a request by the Caernarvon Fire Company to install an LED sign.
The issue had been met with concern from residents. Some said they didn't like the digital appearance of the sign and others said it would interfere with the sight line of drivers pulling out of the driveways west of the sign.
