Act 537 Plan Workshop
Summary
Halifax Township held an Act 537 Plan Workshop on May 12, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:48 PM. Act 537 is Pennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act, which requires municipalities to plan for sewage service needs. No supervisors were present; the session was led by Norma Shearer alongside Planning Commission member Bob Artman, K&W Engineer Justin Kuhn, and Sewage Enforcement Officer Mike Brown, with residents Carol Eppley and Gary Shultz joining later. The Act 537 Plan had been tabled at the Board of Supervisors meeting the previous evening, though the board's motion directed that all questions and responses from this workshop be incorporated into the plan.
- Act 537 Plan tabled by Board of Supervisors: The plan did not advance at the May 11 BOS meeting; this workshop served as a public input session whose discussion would be folded into the revised document.
- Sewer expansion and Chesapeake Bay Initiative discussed: The group reviewed the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority sewer system expansion, Donco's sewage treatment plant, and nutrient-reduction mandates tied to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
- Pumping schedule waiver to be added to plan: A revision will clarify that property owners who pump their septic systems more frequently than required will receive a formal waiver documenting their adjusted schedule.
- Pumper/hauler registration requirements discussed: The group addressed formalizing registration for contractors who pump and haul septic waste within the township.
- Grinder pump ownership left unresolved: Who bears responsibility for owning and maintaining required grinder pumps — homeowners or the sewer authority — was discussed but not settled.
- On-lot system malfunctions flagged for June BOS action: SEO Mike Brown presented examples of confirmed on-lot sewage system failures and stressed the importance of inspections. The Board of Supervisors is expected to consider enforcement actions on the documented malfunctions at its June meeting.
Who was there
Norma Shearer (Attendee) · Bob Artman (Planning Commission Member) · Justin Kuhn (Engineer) · Mike Brown (SEO) · Carol Eppley (Attendee) · Gary Shultz (Attendee)
Meeting business
1
The meeting began at 6PM with Norma Shearer, Planning Commission Member Robert Artman, engineer Justin Kuhn, and SEO Mike Brown in attendance; Carol Eppley and Gary Shultz arrived later. Norma informed the three citizens present that the Act 537 Plan had been tabled at the previous night's BOS meeting, but all questions and responses from this workshop would be included in the plan per the BOS motion. Questions posed prior to the meeting would be answered, though future questions were not required to be addressed.
2
Discussion occurred regarding the expansion of the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority sewer system, Donco's sewage treatment plant, and the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.
3
It was noted that a revision needs to be made to the plan stating that a property owner who chooses to pump more frequently than the plan requires will be issued a pumping schedule waiver.
4
Discussions were held regarding pumper/haulers and their registration with the Township. Ownership and maintenance of grinder pumps where required were also discussed.
5
SEO Mike Brown cited examples of malfunctions of on-lot systems and stressed the importance of inspections. Discussion addressed public misconceptions and misinformation, and options for handling confirmed malfunctions contained in the Plan were reviewed. The BOS will consider action on these malfunctions at its June meeting.
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