Residents press township over York Water hookup ordinance; supervisors seek meeting with company

SPRINGSBURY TOWNSHIP — Residents of the Mount Zion/Druck Valley area pressed the Springsbury Township Board of Supervisors on the township’s ordinance requiring connection to public water lines and on the timing and accuracy of notices from York Water Company.

Jeff Herman of 3429 Truc Valley Road told the board he found a certified letter dated Sept. 18, 2023, to the township and the planning commission from York Water Company’s attorneys and asked whether the township was notified only because the project was near completion or because the company sent incorrect notices. “Is that accurate?” Herman asked, seeking clarity on when the township learned of the project and how residents were notified.

Township representatives replied that York Water staff contacted the township in August and later acknowledged an error in a letter that had said notification was not mandatory. A supervisor explained the ordinance traces to a 1985 agreement that the township was required to codify and that, under the ordinance as written, customers who tie into the public water line must keep interior plumbing connected to public water (outdoor hose bibs may remain on private wells). The board’s solicitor and manager said they will research how state law — including Chapter 65, Section 12 of Title 52 of the Pennsylvania Code — addresses discontinuing utility service and will report back.

Several Druck Valley residents said they want more frequent communication while the township and York Water Company work through contract and implementation details. “It would be reasonable to me that the township wouldn’t put a deadline on us when the township doesn’t have the full information they’re expecting to have,” resident Jason Shields said. Supervisors responded that they are arranging meetings with multiple York Water senior staff and that further decisions would await the outcomes of those meetings.

Board members also confirmed the township passes tap-in fees through to York Water Company to cover the cost of work on the system; a resident asked whether the $1,500 tap-in fee goes to the township or the company, and officials said the funds go to the water company. Another resident, Glenda Keller, said some households will struggle to pay the $14.75 application/hookup fee and asked whether the ordinance will still require hookup even when residents pay such fees; supervisors said that, as written, the ordinance requires hookup.

What’s next: Supervisors said they are trying to schedule a meeting with York Water Company leadership and will provide updates to affected residents by email and mailed letter when the board has final determinations. The township solicitor said staff will provide a legal comparison of the township ordinance and the cited state code at the next meeting.

Votes at a glance: The board approved its consent agenda (items a–h) and voted to execute a 2025 agreement with Klug Animal Control Services. Both motions passed on voice vote; the meeting record shows affirmative voice votes but no roll-call tallies were included in the transcript.

Quotes (selected):

“Is that accurate?” — Jeff Herman, resident, on whether the township was notified of the project in time.

“We’re at the whim of York Water to a degree because we’re setting up meetings… we’re reviewing the information, and we’re pushing forward with it.” — Supervisor (unnamed), describing ongoing work with York Water Company.

“We can certainly… update the criteria via resolution every year.” — Solicitor (unnamed), on setting limits for a volunteer fire tax credit (related discussion).

The meeting adjourned with supervisors saying they hope to have an informational update after meetings with York Water Company; no ordinance amendment or extension was adopted at this meeting.