Bettsville council authorizes excavation at 410 David to locate sewer tap and adopts Route 12 paving ordinance

Bettsville Village Council voted to have village crews or a contractor dig down to expose the sewer tap at 410 David Street so the cause of a homeowner’s sewer problems can be identified, and the council adopted an emergency ordinance to enable paving work on Route 12.

The move to locate the tap followed public comment from William Pish of 410 David Street, who told the council that camera work and a recent cleanout showed his house’s sewer had historically tied into a storm drain and that the lateral may be undersized. “If it’s only 4 inch and there supposed to be 6 inch then there’s going to be a cost there,” Pish said, describing his concerns and asking how the village would assist. Council members and staff agreed the village could open and expose the tap at the property line so contractors can determine whether the lateral meets current standards; Pish was told that any replacement from the tap back to the house would remain the homeowner’s responsibility if the lateral is undersized.

Council member Linda moved to authorize digging to expose the tap at 410 David so the problem can be assessed; the motion was seconded and carried. Council members recorded their assent during the roll call following the motion.

The council also considered and adopted Ordinance No. 20248, an LPA (local public agency) ordinance to facilitate right-of-way and paving work on Route 12 and US‑23. The council moved to suspend the rules, declared an emergency to expedite the matter and approved the ordinance; officials discussed required signatures for the state document and noted that appropriate contractual signatories (president of council and clerk) would sign and that the document needs recording and transmission to state authorities.

Other actions taken at the meeting included approval of reconciled financial reports for June and July, a budget adjustment related to the Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Grant (a decrease in revenue and appropriations because the project came in under estimate), and a transfer of $100,000 from STAR funds into checking to cover bills. Council members discussed grant reimbursement procedures and noted that the village will be reimbursed after the required documentation is submitted.

The council asked staff to work with property owners and contractors to schedule the excavation and follow up on permit and recording steps for the ordinance. No timetable for when the excavation work will be completed was specified.