WINFIELD TWP — The township has reversed course with its plan to bring sewage service into the Cabot, Marwood and Knox Chapel areas.

After months of discussions with the Saxonburg Area Authority, the township is now leaning toward the Municipal Authority of Buffalo Township to provide the service.

The Winfield Township Planning Commission on Wednesday discussed the revised sewage plan.

The plan entails bringing sewage service to 289 residences and 16 commercial properties.

Dave Kennedy, chairman of the Winfield planning commission, said on Thursday the revised plan was just presented at Wednesday's meeting, so the commission members have not had time to review it.

He expects the planning commission to have a recommendation for Winfield supervisors at the Sept. 5 meeting.

Supervisor Mike Robb said on Thursday the Buffalo authority now appears to be the best option for Winfield, costing the least for residents to hook up.

"The overall numbers will work out better for the residents," he said.

The SAA previously offered an agreement in which Winfield customers would pay the standard $6,000 tap-in fee and a monthly sewage bill ranging from $56 to $92.

The tap-in rate for new SAA customers who are not part of the $52.5 million sewage treatment expansion in Penn and Middlesex townships is $7,200.

Don Amadee, manager of the Buffalo authority, said on Thursday Winfield residents would pay an estimated $65 to $75 for a monthly bill.

An estimated tap-in fee for Winfield residents connecting to Buffalo's system has not been determined, he said.

"We're way too early to put it on pencil point," Amadee said.

He said discussions between Winfield and the authority would determine who assesses the tap-in fee.

Winfield would install the new lines for the authority to operate, Amadee said.

Affected residents and businesses also would have to pay a private contractor to install lateral lines connecting their buildings to the main line.

Robb also said the Buffalo authority might enable Winfield to retain more control over the project, such as where sewage lines are installed.

Amadee said the authority is receptive to Winfield joining its system.

In addition to the Buffalo authority's approval, Buffalo Township supervisors also would have to revise its sewage plan registered with the state.

Buffalo Supervisor Dan Przybylek, board chairman, said the addition of Winfield to the authority is logical since its sewage would flow downhill into the treatment system.

"We're certainly supportive," he said. "It makes sense. It's 8th-grade science."

The state Department of Environmental Protection, which originally mandated that sewage service be brought into the township, must also approve Winfield's revised sewage plan.

Freda Tarbell, DEP spokeswoman, said on Thursday Winfield was still in the planning stage under state guidelines.

"They are not under any deadline," she said.

Upon hearing about the revised plan Wednesday night, Jay Rinebolt, chairman of the SAA board, said it would have been better if Winfield had made this decision before the authority's engineer began researching the feasibility of incorporating the township into the sewage system.

"I'm disappointed that they took our time, energy and money," Rinebolt said.

Robb said Winfield does appreciate the SAA for using its time and resources to help the township, but the supervisors have to make the best decision for the long term.

Amadee agreed that Winfield joining the Buffalo authority makes sense, but any agreement is contingent on costs to Winfield and the authority.

"In the end, it comes down to dollars and cents," he said. "I cannot lose money. Projects have to pay for themselves."