RUSH TOWNSHIP — A proposed $16.8 million sewer project, land development updates and ongoing infrastructure concerns highlighted discussion at the recent Rush Township Supervisors meeting.
David Gaines, solicitor for the ORD Sewer Authority, presented an overview of a major sewer expansion project driven by a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection mandate requiring about 100 properties to connect to a centralized system. The total project cost is estimated at $16.8 million with approximately $7.6 million secured through grant funding.
That leaves about $9.2 million to be financed through low-interest loans from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, commonly known as Pennvest.
As part of that process, Gaines said municipalities must guarantee a proportional share of the loan. For Rush Township, that share is about 45.85%, or roughly $4.2 million.
“What I’m asking you to do formally is next month to consider providing guarantee,” Gaines said, emphasizing that no decision was required at this meeting.
Gaines noted that while the guarantee is required, PENNVEST has never enforced one historically, instead opting to recover funds through rate increases if needed.
“In the history of the tens of thousands of projects PENNVEST has done, they’ve never once invoked a guarantee,” Gaines said.
Supervisors acknowledged the financial weight of the request while also recognizing the importance of securing grant funding.
“It’s a lot of money,” Supervisor Dave Jackson said, later adding, “It’s not like we have a choice.”
Solicitor Dave Mason described the situation as a “Hobson’s choice,” weighing the risk of guaranteeing the loan against potentially losing millions in grant funding.
Supervisors will consider the guarantee at a future meeting after the ordinance is prepared and advertised.
In other business, the board approved a subdivision and land development plan involving the Frank property which creates a separate lot for an existing cell tower while resizing adjacent parcels. The approval was granted conditionally pending county and local review comments.
Planning updates also included progress on several projects, including the Greystone Development and the Ampliform solar project along Coldale Road. Officials said water sampling plans are being developed with an estimated 35 to 40 monitoring sites to assess environmental impacts.
Coldale Road is expected to be a continued point of discussion, particularly regarding access and potential road use tied to the solar project.
“There’s going to be a topic of heavy discussion,” Jackson said.
Supervisors also reviewed a proposed small stream discharge system for a property along Route 504 after a conventional septic system was denied. Officials said the alternative system would treat wastewater to a high standard before discharge, though concerns have been raised by nearby residents and municipalities.
Township officials indicated they may require additional safeguards, including inspection agreements and escrow funds for maintenance.
Beyond development matters, supervisors addressed ongoing enforcement priorities. Officials said the township plans to take a more aggressive approach to blighted properties and sewer delinquency.
“We’ve identified 11 or 12 properties that we are going to get much more aggressive [with],” Code Enforcement officer Bill Doran said.
The township is also preparing to issue water shutoff notices for overdue sewer accounts with dozens of properties potentially affected.
Additional actions included approving the dissolution of the local fire council, scheduling a metal pickup for May 19–22 and continuing work on a proposed data center ordinance.
Supervisors are expected to revisit several items, including the sewer guarantee and ordinance updates at their next meeting.
