Authority adopts 3% sanitary sewer rate increase and hears project updates including Claremont completion

The Lower Paxton Township Authority approved Resolution 2601 at its Feb. 24 meeting, establishing revised sanitary sewer rental rates and updated billing definitions. Staff said the new residential rate will be $163 per quarter, an increase of $5 from the previous $158 (about 3%), and that the resolution restates definitions to align with the zoning ordinance (including updates to ‘live/work’ unit definitions). The board approved the resolution by voice vote.

Staff reported that the Claremont mini-basin project — described as an $18.9 million multi-year mini-basin effort — has completed the sewer work required by the authority’s consent order. A punch list remains for final paving, ADA ramp installations and yard restorations that could not be completed over winter; staff said they expect those restorations to occur in spring and aim to finish by July after a time-extension for the contractor.

Operations staff introduced Eric, the deputy director of public works utilities, who summarized 2025 maintenance and operations: an expanded grease-flushing program, roughly 14,000 ft of sewer televising with new AI software to prioritize repairs, response to about 70 resident complaints, pump maintenance (including a rebuilt impeller at Beaver Creek station) and several emergency repairs (East Park Drive and Heatherfield Way) caused by defective pipe. Larry described in-house crews’ productivity and estimated substantial savings from performing many repairs in-house rather than contracting them out.

On capital planning, staff said consent-order-driven projects are winding down and the authority is preparing a large interceptor project for survey and design; staff are also evaluating lining versus replacement for some segments. The board was told stormwater projects and grant-funded pedestrian/storm improvements (including a CFA award for Prince Street) will be more active this year than sewer capital work.