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Council hears two conditional‑use applications to extend public water across Horsham riparian corridors
Summary
Horsham Township heard two conditional‑use applications from the township water authority to connect properties with contaminated private wells to public water by horizontally drilling across riparian corridor zones; applicants said wells will be abandoned and minimized disturbance measures will be used. Council closed hearings and will decide at a future meeting.
Horsham Township Council held back‑to‑back public hearings on conditional‑use applications filed by the township water and sewer authority to provide public water service to two private properties whose wells the applicants said are contaminated.
Thomas J. Figaniac of Gilmore Associates, representing the water authority, told council the projects for 945 Tennis A (Palisano) and 22 Meeting House Road (Smith) would use directional drilling with pits about every 500 feet to minimize excavation and limit disturbance to riparian corridor zones 1 and 2. Figaniac said the existing private wells are contaminated (noted in the record as "POS") and that the proposed work is being done under a Navy‑sponsored contract for the water authority.
A council member asked about compliance with the county process for well abandonment. Figaniac responded that the wells would be abandoned, grouted and filled to grade; homeowners could keep a well pump on the property, but the well itself must be completely abandoned.
Township staff entered exhibit materials into the record for each hearing, including the conditional‑use plans, the riparian corridor management plan, engineering reviews by Gilmore & Associates and the Montgomery County Planning Commission, legal notices and proof of publication. No members of the public requested party status in either hearing.
Both hearings were closed at the end of testimony; council said it will render decisions at an upcoming meeting. No formal approvals or denials were issued at the session.
The hearings focused on balancing a stated public‑health need to replace contaminated domestic wells with the township's riparian corridor protections. Applicants emphasized directional drilling and post‑construction plantings and restoration to limit impacts. Council did not make a procedural ruling during the hearing and reserved final action for a future meeting.
