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A hearing Jan. 24, within the Antrim Township Board of Supervisors meeting, drew a large crowd. Neighbors to Greenspring Valley PRD, which has tentative approval as a 500-home development on Craig Road, voiced their concerns about the project. Meanwhile, Humberto Ho from Ho Brothers Development in Frederick, Md., asked for a modification to the 2005 plan regarding water service. The initial idea was to receive water from a public supplier, but Antrim Township Municipal Authority was unable to provide that, so the company had turned to Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority. Ho wanted to create a private water system because of the excessive expense of Greencastle's requirements.
Attorney Paul Minnich explained that Greencastle Land LLC would finish a hydrogeological analysis to prove wells could supply sufficient water, the system would be compliant with DEP standards, it would meet GAFCWA's higher standards in case the system was dedicated to the authority in the future, and responsibility for maintenance would fall to the homeowners association.
Ho said that after he purchased the 180 acres from the first owners, he received a letter from GAFCWA in 2008 that the water infrastructure would have to be improved, including construction of a 750,000 gallon water tower, which Ho thought would cost $3.5 million. He asked Antrim to let him construct a private system with a smaller tower that would serve Phase I of 120 homes.
Antrim solicitor John Lisko noted that the letter also mentioned Heritage Estates West so he thought the price was high if both were involved in building the tower. Ho's impression was that whichever developer got started first had to foot the entire bill, and would get reimbursed by others as they hooked on, but it could take many years.
Supervisor James Byers suggested Ho talk to GAFCWA again, since times had changed. "We'd love to have this on a public water system."
Minnich agreed it was worth pursuing. The visitors took a break from the hearing to discuss the matter, and after it reconvened, said they would like to continue the hearing in 60 days, at which time they could report back on their discussion with the Greencastle authority. The hearing was rescheduled for 7 p.m. March 20.
The neighbors expressed concerns about the quality of their own well water if construction took place, if adjoining property owners would have to connect to the new line, how many towers the PRD would eventually have, and stormwater issues.
A hearing Jan. 24, within the Antrim Township Board of Supervisors meeting, drew a large crowd. Neighbors to Greenspring Valley PRD, which has tentative approval as a 500-home development on Craig Road, voiced their concerns about the project. Meanwhile, Humberto Ho from Ho Brothers Development in Frederick, Md., asked for a modification to the 2005 plan regarding water service. The initial idea was to receive water from a public supplier, but Antrim Township Municipal Authority was unable to provide that, so the company had turned to Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority. Ho wanted to create a private water system because of the excessive expense of Greencastle's requirements.
Attorney Paul Minnich explained that Greencastle Land LLC would finish a hydrogeological analysis to prove wells could supply sufficient water, the system would be compliant with DEP standards, it would meet GAFCWA's higher standards in case the system was dedicated to the authority in the future, and responsibility for maintenance would fall to the homeowners association.
Ho said that after he purchased the 180 acres from the first owners, he received a letter from GAFCWA in 2008 that the water infrastructure would have to be improved, including construction of a 750,000 gallon water tower, which Ho thought would cost $3.5 million. He asked Antrim to let him construct a private system with a smaller tower that would serve Phase I of 120 homes.
Antrim solicitor John Lisko noted that the letter also mentioned Heritage Estates West so he thought the price was high if both were involved in building the tower. Ho's impression was that whichever developer got started first had to foot the entire bill, and would get reimbursed by others as they hooked on, but it could take many years.
Supervisor James Byers suggested Ho talk to GAFCWA again, since times had changed. "We'd love to have this on a public water system."
Minnich agreed it was worth pursuing. The visitors took a break from the hearing to discuss the matter, and after it reconvened, said they would like to continue the hearing in 60 days, at which time they could report back on their discussion with the Greencastle authority. The hearing was rescheduled for 7 p.m. March 20.
The neighbors expressed concerns about the quality of their own well water if construction took place, if adjoining property owners would have to connect to the new line, how many towers the PRD would eventually have, and stormwater issues.
Fundraising success
William Needy, Kay Witmer and Bud O'Mara appeared on behalf of the Besore Memorial Library Capital Campaign to announce they had raised the $80,000 Antrim had promised to match last May. Needy presented the income and expenses since June, and citizens had donated $576.48 above the targeted amount.
"I applaud you since we were giving you over a year," said Fred Young III. "It's pretty phenomenal."
The board preferred to keep the money in reserve to draw interest until it was actually needed. Witmer said work on the air conditioning and boiler would get started soon, and the campaign committee agreed to give 30 days notice when it wanted the funds. Over $400,000 has been raised toward the $1.2 million goal to refurbish the aging library and make it handicap accessible. Young, Rick Baer, John Alleman and Pat Heraty voted to release the money and Byers dissented.
Atapco asks
Tim Hogan, development manager for Atapco Properties, Inc., asked for the return of a $2 million Letter of Credit. It was part of an assumption agreement with Antrim and PennDOT for exit 3 changes. Since PennDOT took control of the improvement project, Hogan said the township had no more liability so his company wanted the letter released.
Lisko was reluctant until Antrim had formal notice from the state. Otherwise, it could be required to pay engineering costs of about $850,000, which Atapco was to cover with a grant. Township administrator Brad Graham expected the clearance from PennDOT soon. Heraty, Baer, Alleman and Young voted to release the LOC pending Lisko's approval of PennDOT's notice, but Byers preferred to wait until it was in hand.
