An overhead shot of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest in Marion Township. Submitted photo

MERCER TWP — The township supervisors announced that both Mercer and Marion townships have signed an inter-municipal agreement with Kozy Rest Campground that will allow the camping resort to tap into the municipal sewage system of both municipalities, and that construction has begun on the sewage expansion project.

Mercer Township ratified its end of the agreement at a supervisors meeting in October, but according to supervisor John Bennett Jr., the agreement was not finalized until the past month.

“The agreement was signed last month, and they started work this past week or the end of last week,” Bennett said.

Kozy Rest Campground, located in Marion Township, is a vacation spot with cabin rentals, RV sites and a water park.

Construction on the sewage expansion began earlier this month, with the plan starting along Ray Road in Mercer Township and moving along Campground Road before ultimately hooking into Mercer Township’s sewage system. The crew will conduct “one calls” every 1,000 feet. [A one call refers to the act of contacting a designated phone number (typically 811) before starting any digging or excavation work.]

The project also requires the installation of taps at several Mercer Township homes. The homeowners have been sent letters informing them of the project, which clarified they could choose whether or not to tap in.

“We went on to explain that it would increase the value of the property, because if they go to sell and their sewage system fails, they can either invest a bunch of money in a new sewage system or tap in for a monthly fee,” Bennett said.