Lower Towamensing Township is disappointed with the lack of progress on its sewer line installation project.

Supervisors’ Chairman Brent Green expressed some frustration at last week’s board of supervisors meeting.

“I think we’re spinning our wheels again,” Green said. “Our (Act) 537 plan was approved in 2017.”

Supervisors then debated whether the township should look at hiring a project manager to oversee the project.

Township solicitor Jim Nanovic shared his thoughts with the board.

“You can certainly get a proposal from somebody,” Nanovic said. “What I don’t want to do is start from scratch.”

After the meeting, Green elaborated on the current set of circumstances surrounding the project.

“We ran into some technical permit issues that delayed the project that have pushed it back,” Green said. “The schedule was to go out to bid this spring, but without the easement secured, we’re not sure if we’ll be moving forward this spring.”

Green said they’re working on a couple stream crossing permits. The water quality permit is also under review.

He added they are also working on getting property easements and determining what properties need easements.

The township is in coordination with Palmerton borough and Blue Mountain resort “because the township is using both treatment plants.

“We had a schedule, (and) are not even close to following that schedule,” he said. “We had a meeting about a year ago (and) we’re at about the same (place) as where we were before.”

Green added that the township solicitor and engineer are still working on finalizing the final easement list, and that if the easements aren’t secured prior to going to bid, “we would have to start the condemnation process.”

“It’s a very difficult and delicate situation,” he said. “We want to work with all property owners to the fullest.”

Green said the township doesn’t have an updated figure on the cost of the project.

The total cost of the project, including surveying, engineering, land acquisition, inspection, legal and administrative fees and interest, had previously been estimated to be about $12.4 million.

“The majority of homes will be tied to Blue Mountain’s treatment plant as part of a private public partnership over a decade ago,” he said. “The other small portions on the west side on the outskirts of Palmerton Borough, Weiner’s Trailer Court and the area of Red Hill Road, would be connected to Palmerton’s plant.”

Green said they are estimating there are 450 users, but noted not all of the 450 users have easements “so we would have to secure hundreds of easements along the transition lines.”

“The township is looking at options to expedite the project and ensure it holds a tighter schedule,” he said.

“We have three confirmed malfunctions in Aquashicola that have no viable alternative septic disposal area, which has prompted us to start working on that.”

According to the township’s website, the Lower Towamensing Sewage System will include gravity lines, manholes and pump stations with the force mains associated with them.

The system will serve the several areas in the township including: Aquashicola, Walkton, Little Gap, Red Hill Road and Weiner Mobile Estates. The portion of the system serving Aquashicola, Walkton, and Little Gap will be sent to and treated at the Blue Mountain Ski Area Wastewater Treatment Plant. This treatment plant will need to be upgraded.

The other portion of the system serving Red Hill Road and Weiner Mobile Estates will connect to the Palmerton collection system and be treated at the Palmerton Borough Wastewater plant.

Weiner Mobile Estates, which includes 19 parcels, was sold on Aug. 27 to GSP Management, Morgantown, for a price of $2.99 million. GSP Management are owners to 35 manufacturing communities.

The company has plans to hook on to the Palmerton sewage and water as soon as possible. It also has plans to expand the community.