CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Supervisors voted to share the preliminary Act 537 sewer plan to address the township’s municipal sewage needs with the community.

“We motioned for advertisement, and that will make the current 537 plan open to the public so they can start reviewing it for feedback,” said Supervisor Angela Fleeger.

Act 537 of the Pennsylvania state code requires municipalities submit a plan to the Department of Environmental Protection that provides for their current and future sewage needs.

The township has been attempting to put together a workable Act 537 plan for multiple years. This culminated when it received a letter in June 2023 stating that it was in violation of state law for creating a statutory nuisance by not implementing public sewage.

During Wednesday night’s meeting, supervisors also voted to ask the Department of Environmental Protection for an extension of the submission deadline of 30 to 60 days. The delay was requested so that Pennsylvania American Water could supply Herbert, Rowland & Grubic with additional information concerning alternatives.

HRG is the firm contracted by the township to provide engineering and planning services for the Act 537 plan.

One option presented for moving forward with a public sewage system is to connect Connoquenessing Township’s sewers to the former Butler Area Sewer Authority system. In October 2024, that system was purchased by Pennsylvania American Water.

“They currently have another avenue that we have not explored yet, and I feel like we need that in front of us in order to make a well-informed decision,” Fleeger said.

Residents shared conflicting views about the idea during the public comment portion of Wednesday’s meeting.

“They were, and they still are, our absolute closest connection point,” said Laura Mason. “I'm pleased to hear via the agenda today that the supervisors are finally considering (Pennsylvania American Water) into the proposal. We'd be failing the community, we'd be failing all of us and ourselves, not to consider them and not to consider all options.”

“This is a Hail Mary option,” said Brendan Linton. “Unless there's some brand new revelation that has popped up with your discussions with HRG, this should not be considered.”