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Board hears HomeServe/National League of Cities service-line program presentation; action tabled
Summary
A HomeServe regional representative outlined an optional service-line protection program (external water/sewer coverage up to $8,500 per incident; in-home plumbing up to $3,000; township would receive 10% of premiums). Supervisors raised concerns about perceived endorsement and coordination with local authorities; the board voted to table the agreement pending more information.
Ashley Swarski, regional representative for the National League of Cities service-line program administered by HomeServe, presented an optional protection program for homeowners at the April 15 Ferguson Township meeting.
Swarski said the program offers three voluntary products: external water-line protection, external sewer-line protection (each providing up to $8,500 per repair incident), and in‑home plumbing coverage (up to $3,000 per incident). She said the program is marketed by direct mail and that the township would be consulted on all materials and could limit mailings to no more than three per year. If the township participates, it would receive 10% of collected premiums as revenue to use as it chooses.
Board members praised the educational value of clarifying homeowner versus municipal responsibility but raised concerns that mailed materials bearing the township logo could be misread as an endorsement or a requirement. Supervisors also asked whether the local water and sewer authority had been engaged; the presenter said she had not personally spoken to the local authority and that other municipalities—State College Borough among them—have participated for years. After questions, a supervisor moved to table the decision so staff can collect more information and follow up with local authorities; the motion was seconded and carried.
