An archaeological survey is the next step Lower Towamensing Township must take before it can connect to the Blue Mountain Ski Area wastewater treatment plant.

Township solicitor Jim Nanovic informed the board of supervisors on Tuesday that the township has obtained three price quotes for the survey as per its Act 537 plan.Nanovic said HDR, of Conshohocken, Montgomery County, said it could conduct the survey at a cost of $14,857, which was nearly $5,000 less than the quote of $19,753 from John Milner Associates, Inc., of West Chester, Chester County, and the $19,883 quote from the URS Corporation, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County.However, Nanovic said Greg Haas, an engineer from Carbon Engineering, the township's engineering firm, did not recommend the township utilize HDR, despite the fact that it submitted the lowest quote.Instead, Nanovic said Haas suggested the township go with John Milner Associates, which has said it will conduct 160 shovel tests, compared to just 25 by HDR.After a recommendation from Nanovic, supervisors, on a 2-0 vote, with Supervisor Todd Solt absent, agreed to authorize Haas to go back to HDR to see how much they would charge to conduct 160 shovel tests.In Sept. of 2009, supervisors passed a resolution to submit a reworked Act 537 plan to the state Department of Environmental Protection.The township plans to hook up to the ski area's wastewater treatment plant, which the township will eventually purchase and upgrade to handle extra sewage flow.Previously, DEP has denied two past requests by the township, and withdrew it once before.Construction is slated to begin in Jan. of 2014. The system and some properties are expected to be hooked up by Oct. of 2015.The plan calls for a central sewer line in Aquashicola and the areas of Walkton and Little Gap, where there are many failing septic systems and an increasing population.Under the plan, the Aquashicola/Walkton/Little Gap sections will be provided with gravity lines, manholes, and two pump stations with their associated force mains.The cost to implement the project $10,229,446. A tapping fee of $4,500 per equivalent dwelling unit will be charged, while the annual user's costs are anticipated to be about $754 per EDU.However, those fees are contingent upon the township receiving funding from PennVEST, township officials have said.Also on Tuesday, supervisors were asked to consider whether they would like to make a donation toward the Palmerton Porpoises Swim Team.William Ravert, of Bowmanstown, approached supervisors to see if the township would offer assistance to the swim team, which has been in existence for the past 50 years.The team competes in the Lehigh Valley Swim League, which includes swim teams from Slatington to Quakertown.Ravert told supervisors the team is in need of six new starting blocks, which cost about $2,000 apiece. With installation, Ravert said the cost would be about $15,500.The present blocks have been in use since the 1970s, and are in need of replacement for the safety of the swimmers, Ravert said."If you find it within your hearts to give any donation, the swim team would be most graciously grateful for them," Ravert said.Supervisors Chairman Ron Walbert said the township would consider a possible donation.In other business, supervisors:- Granted the Blue Mountain Waterpark land development plan an extension until Oct. 29.- Granted New Cingular Wireless, LLC, d/b/a AT&T Mobility Grant an extension until Dec. 31.- Authorized Nanovic to advertise for a shared intermunicipal agreement with Towamensing Township.- Granted garbage exempt form approval to six residents.- Announced Trick-or-Treat night will be held in the township from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27.