TAMAQUA —Despite opposition from residents, the Rush Township Sewer Project — which has been nearly three years in the making — is moving full speed ahead.
At a very raucous township meeting Thursday night, the board moved forward with the plans for the sewer project, which will place the $974,000 sewer line along Lincoln Drive in the township.
“I just feel that the township secured this grant on the backs of the residents, citing us as low income, without actually thinking about what was best for the township,” local resident and business owner Kory Bates said.
Bates is the owner of My Brother’s Beer Barn on Claremont Avenue in the township.
“I felt that the township should’ve approached this from the perspective of economic development, or a tourist grant, or something, but not like this,” he said
Bates was the subject of much discussion surrounding the sewer project — one of his adjacent properties was in question for the initial plans for the project. When Bates approached the council about “trading his land, which is currently for sale, in exchange for two free hookups” the discussions became heated — and eventually ceased — which led to a redesign and reroute for the sewer line. Bates addressed the supervisors with his concerns, and was met with resounding applause from the crowd.
“I just bought a brand new septic tank 12 years ago and it’s supposed to last me well over 30 years,” Jerome Tracy, also of Lincoln Drive, said. “You’re expecting a bunch of residents who are all hurting for cash — many of us are retired and barely making ends meet — to hook up to this sewer line. We didn’t ask for this. We cannot afford this.”
When asked for input on the public’s outcry, the supervisors had no comment.
In other news, the Rush Township Police Department and the township board of supervisors are teaming up to help crack down on nuisance all-terrain vehicle operators throughout their area.
“You are never allowed to drive ATVs on the road, only to make a turn at a 90-degree angle,” Sgt. Duane Fredericks said. “If you see anyone on an ATV being a nuisance, please take photos and call 911.”
Photos taken of ATV drivers can be posted to the Rush Township Police Department’s Facebook page as well.
“We all need to be vigilant,” Supervisor Shawn Gilbert said. “It’s only going to get worse now that school is out, and it’s already at an unacceptable level. They need to know that this behavior is not tolerated in our township.”