Sewickley Hills Plans to Assess Some Residents for Sewer Repairs

In an effort to cover the costs of long-discussed repairs to the sewer system, the borough will send an assessment bill of about $500 to each of the 70 homeowners in the borough.

At its general meeting on Monday, council members voted 3-1 to award a $112,172 contract to Fleming-Walker Inc. of Portersville to perform a variety of sewer system repairs, including pipe replacements and root removal. No new lines will be added. 

Councilman Klaus Gross made the motion, with a second by Chris Cox.  Councilwoman Cindy Phillips dissented, and Councilwoman Kim Holzer was absent.

In a longstanding agreement with the Ohio Township Sewer Authority, the borough has gradually repaired sections of its sewer system and then relinquished the updated lines. 

According to Council President Tom Klixbull, Sewickley Hills has been  turning over its entire system for the last four years.

Phillips voted against the measure, saying that council should solicit comment from residents before making a decision on the contract.

“I think we need to get feedback from the residents before we move forward,” she said.

Noting that repairs had been prolonged, Klixbull urged the group to approve Fleming’s bid.

“It’s never a good time, and I think it’s time to move forward,” Klixbull said.

Gross said he agreed.

“If we delay, we are at risk of Ohio Township coming to us and finding more problems,” he said.

The borough received five bids, ranging from $122,172 to a little more than $288,000, for the project.

Residents in the Sewickley Hills plan are scheduled to receive their assessment notices within the next two weeks. 

The borough has $82,000 earmarked for the project. The assessment fees will raise additional funds needed to complete the repairs.