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Paradise sewer board requires repairs, DEP planning for Mill Bridge sewer connections; owners threaten to abandon project
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Paradise Township Sewer Authority told Mill Bridge Village and Camp Resort owners they must correct improperly covered sewer pipe, provide CCTV and pressure testing, and submit sewage planning to DEP; owners said they may abandon the project over costs. The board approved a $5,000 escrow agreement.
Paradise Township Sewer Authority members on May 5 told owners of Mill Bridge Village and Camp Resort that newly installed sewer lines serving 17 additional campsites must be corrected before further use and that state sewage‑planning requirements may apply.
Authority solicitor Susan P. Peipher and consulting engineers from Rettew Associates outlined required steps: prepare construction plans for areas lacking sufficient cover over the pipe, replace sections with materials able to support loading, obtain approval from both Paradise Township Sewer Authority and East Lampeter Sewer Authority (ELSA) before further construction, submit a sewage‑planning mailer to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), provide CCTV footage of the newly constructed sanitary sewers, and permit witnessed pressure testing and a pump‑station inspection. The board also noted that if, after one year of operation, flows exceed the 12 EDU allocation additional tapping fees would be assessed at the current rate and sewage planning would be required under DEP guidance.
Ed and Jeanna Linzy, the owners representing Mill Bridge, told the board they were concerned about the cost of the corrective work and frustrated with prior communications with Township officials. “The Linzys indicated that they were not willing to expend additional funds and would simply abandon their efforts,” the minutes state; they then left the meeting.
The board directed its solicitor to request 10 years of Mill Bridge flow data from ELSA to assess potential EDU exposure and to follow up with the Linzys about whether they intend to proceed. On a motion by Brian Groff, seconded by J.B. Stoltzfus, the board unanimously approved an escrow agreement with Let’s Go Camping, LLC for $5,000 to cover Authority expenses if the owners continue with the connections.
Why it matters: The required repairs and potential for additional tapping fees affect who pays for corrections and whether the new campsites can remain connected. DEP planning requirements and ELSA flow data will determine whether the project needs a formal sewage plan and whether the 12‑EDU allocation remains adequate.
Next steps: The solicitor will seek the ELSA flow records, meet with counsel for the Linzys to clarify their intentions, and set up a follow‑up meeting with ELSA to finalize a Second Addendum to the interauthority agreement. The escrow terms will be applied if the owners proceed; if they abandon the connections the $5,000 deposit will be released back to the owners per the minutes.
