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Stormwater fees to hit DuBoistown

DuBoistown Borough must either implement an expensive stormwater fee structure or real estate taxes to pay for multiple projects in the effort to reduce sediment runoff, the Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority discussed Wednesday.

“Affordability with this project is out the window. This project is compliance-based, it’s regulatory-based and it’s not going to go away,” said Christine Weigle, executive director.

South Williamsport and DuBoistown boroughs are the first to be given their five-year permits by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The boroughs’ stormwater sediment levels are required to fall below 10 percent at the permit’s conclusion. Already most of the way through the first year, DuBoistown has yet to implement any projects to lower the percentage.

The city, Loyalsock Township, Montoursville Borough, Fairfield Township, Old Lycoming Township, Lycoming Township, Hepburn Township, and Pennsylvania College of Technology are expected to receive their five-year permits next year.

DEP has several best management practices which list ways to reduce sediment, however no single project will work for DuBoistown, said John Bickhart, engineering services manager.

“(DuBoistown) has a total of 26 pipes that discharge individually — 13 into Mosquito Creek and 13 going into the river,” said Bickhart. “In order to have a BMP project of some size, you need to have a capture range area of about 30 acres. When you have 26 different pipes, it’s pretty hard to get 30 acres all in one place.”

The number of projects must increase, then, and so will the cost.

While the actual project plans can wait, the revenue sources need to be established this budget season, he said.

“Even though we don’t know what the BMPs will cost, we are sure that there are administrative and design costs that they will have to pay next year,” said Bickhart. “They need to start coming up with the revenue.”

The county Water and Sewer Authority plans to have both South Williamsport and DuBoistown implement a fee structure by the beginning of next year.

“We’re giving them everything they need to make those choices,” said Bickhart.

There is very little grant money available to municipalities to fund these projects. Therefore, they must seek loans from agencies, but those agencies won’t loan money to them unless fees or a different revenue stream is created to ensure long-term debt service, said Weigle.

The average stormwater cost per single-family household throughout the commonwealth is about $3 to $19. DuBoistown would have to implement around $10 per month before they were loaned money, she said.

“This is happening throughout the commonwealth,” said Weigle. “Unfortunately South Williamsport and DuBoistown are the first municipalities to be affected with this issue, so they are leading the way and leading the charge with how to fund stormwater.”

In other business, the authority approved the Muncy Greene water and sewer dedication, extending county water and sewer services to the new senior housing facilities on John Brady Drive in Muncy.

All members were present.

The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Sept. 4, at the Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority offices, 380 Old Cement Road, Montoursville.

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