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Middle Smithfield supervisors authorize outreach to property owners after Winona Lakes bridge posting limits sewer access
Summary
After an engineer’s review of a privately inspected Winona Lakes bridge and continued 10‑ton posting, the board authorized staff to send letters to six property owners requesting temporary access easements to restore reliable access to the township sewer plant while bridge repairs proceed.
The Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors on July 10 authorized township staff to send draft letters to six property owners and the neighborhood HOA seeking temporary access easements to maintain consistent access to the township‑operated sewer plant.
The action followed a detailed engineer’s report on the privately owned Winona Lakes bridge that currently carries a 10‑ton weight posting. The engineer told the board the HOA’s inspection report “is overly conservative on some assumptions” but that the HOA and its engineer were “standing by their prior conclusions and not modifying any of those.” The bridge posting has forced the township to alter routes for heavy vehicles and has increased operating costs for sewer operations.
Why it matters: the town operates the sewer plant that serves the Winona Lakes community; larger trucks that service the plant must cross the private bridge for routine and emergency work. With the bridge restricted, township operators said they are incurring additional trips and expenses, and emergency access and routine deliveries (for example propane or sludge removal) could be complicated if the posting remains in place.
During discussion supervisors and staff described two parallel approaches: continue to press the HOA and its engineer for schedule and repair estimates, and pursue temporary easements from neighboring landowners to create a reliable alternative access while longer‑term solutions are planned. The board voted to authorize a township‑letterhead outreach to the six property owners identified in the engineer’s exhibit and to attempt contact with the HOA and nearby Mountaintop property owners.
The motion was made and seconded; the transcript records a voice vote in favor but does not record a numeric tally. The solicitor and engineer said draft language for the letter was included in the meeting packet and staff will follow up with owners and the HOA.
Next steps: township counsel will finalize the outreach letter and staff will attempt to collect contact information for the HOA and Mountaintop neighborhood; supervisors said a temporary easement would restore necessary access for sewer operations while Winona Lakes finalizes repair schedules and permanent easement negotiations if needed.
