Leesburg Council Approves Going Forward With Sewer Review
December 14, 2021 at 2:30 a.m.
By Jackie Gorski-
During November’s Town Council meeting, a review was discussed but no decision was made.
Monday, Council President Tom Moore said as the sewer system ages, there are more costs associated with it. He gave an estimated cost of $2,500 per sewer pump every time one needs replaced.
The sewer rate review will determine if rates need to be increased.
Moore said all Council members live in Leesburg and don’t want to see the rates increased. He also said it’s been several years since a review has been done.
Councilman Doug Jones said he thinks the last review was done in 2012 or 2013.
Jones said the town was overdue for a rate review and it would tell the Council where it should be with the rate.
In related news, Moore said there have not been a lot of sewer violations in the past month. He asked the Council to consider thinking of what they want to do about people who repeatedly violate the sewer ordinance the town has.
The town has handed out notices of sewer violations, but does not have a fine system for residents flushing things they shouldn’t. Moore said they haven’t really thought of what they wanted to do about people who continually violate the ordinance.
The Council discussed the possibility of implementing a fine system in November. At that meeting, Moore said some of the people in town who violate the ordinance are repeat offenders.
Jones also updated the Council on the contract with the Claypool Police Department to do patrolling in Leesburg.
Jones said he was in contact with Claypool Town Marshal Ben Sanders on multiple occasions “and everything is still a go as far as Claypool is concerned.”
Jones said he has spoken with the insurance agents from both towns.
The town of Claypool can’t buy the type of insurance policy that is needed to cover the patrolling and have Leesburg reimburse Claypool. Leesburg’s agent is looking at another insurance company and getting quotes to determine what an insurance policy to cover the patrolling would cost. Jones said he was told it’s not a major cost, but Leesburg’s current carrier just doesn’t offer that type of insurance. To get a rate that’s competitive with what Leesburg already has is going to take time to go through the different companies.
“That’s where we are right now, but I’m still very hopeful. I see it happening. I just, it’s just a slow process,” Jones said.
In other business, the Council:
• Learned leaf collection for the fall ended Nov. 30 and the street department collected 117 loads of leaves.
• The Street Department issued six warning tags and two ordinance violations for parking on the street between 3 and 5 a.m.
Street Commissioner Craig Charlton said he also is seeking quotes for an alley storm drain replacement.
The drain is 480 feet long and Charlton contacted Insight Pipe Contracting, Harmony PA for quotes.
• Heard from Councilwoman Christina Archer that the Candelaria was postponed from Saturday, Dec. 11 to Saturday, Dec. 18 due to weather. It starts at dusk.
The next Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Town Hall.
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During November’s Town Council meeting, a review was discussed but no decision was made.
Monday, Council President Tom Moore said as the sewer system ages, there are more costs associated with it. He gave an estimated cost of $2,500 per sewer pump every time one needs replaced.
The sewer rate review will determine if rates need to be increased.
Moore said all Council members live in Leesburg and don’t want to see the rates increased. He also said it’s been several years since a review has been done.
Councilman Doug Jones said he thinks the last review was done in 2012 or 2013.
Jones said the town was overdue for a rate review and it would tell the Council where it should be with the rate.
In related news, Moore said there have not been a lot of sewer violations in the past month. He asked the Council to consider thinking of what they want to do about people who repeatedly violate the sewer ordinance the town has.
The town has handed out notices of sewer violations, but does not have a fine system for residents flushing things they shouldn’t. Moore said they haven’t really thought of what they wanted to do about people who continually violate the ordinance.
The Council discussed the possibility of implementing a fine system in November. At that meeting, Moore said some of the people in town who violate the ordinance are repeat offenders.
Jones also updated the Council on the contract with the Claypool Police Department to do patrolling in Leesburg.
Jones said he was in contact with Claypool Town Marshal Ben Sanders on multiple occasions “and everything is still a go as far as Claypool is concerned.”
Jones said he has spoken with the insurance agents from both towns.
The town of Claypool can’t buy the type of insurance policy that is needed to cover the patrolling and have Leesburg reimburse Claypool. Leesburg’s agent is looking at another insurance company and getting quotes to determine what an insurance policy to cover the patrolling would cost. Jones said he was told it’s not a major cost, but Leesburg’s current carrier just doesn’t offer that type of insurance. To get a rate that’s competitive with what Leesburg already has is going to take time to go through the different companies.
“That’s where we are right now, but I’m still very hopeful. I see it happening. I just, it’s just a slow process,” Jones said.
In other business, the Council:
• Learned leaf collection for the fall ended Nov. 30 and the street department collected 117 loads of leaves.
• The Street Department issued six warning tags and two ordinance violations for parking on the street between 3 and 5 a.m.
Street Commissioner Craig Charlton said he also is seeking quotes for an alley storm drain replacement.
The drain is 480 feet long and Charlton contacted Insight Pipe Contracting, Harmony PA for quotes.
• Heard from Councilwoman Christina Archer that the Candelaria was postponed from Saturday, Dec. 11 to Saturday, Dec. 18 due to weather. It starts at dusk.
The next Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Town Hall.
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