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Salem Township advances water and sewer projects after securing grants and engineering approvals
Summary
The Salem Township Board approved grant-funded and township-run waterline work, engineering contracts and reductions to developer guarantees, while residents pressed for clearer billing on inspection fees.
The Salem Township Board of Supervisors on Jan. 21 unanimously approved a slate of actions to advance water and sewer work, authorize engineering contracts and reduce a developer guarantee, while residents raised concerns about building-permit billing.
The board renewed a $2,500 monthly retainer with Regola Consulting LLC and acknowledged a $350,000 LSA grant award previously received for the Tucker Road waterline extension, authorizing the project scope to match the grant amount. Supervisor Kerry Jobe said the township also learned of a separate $340,000 award for an Apple and Tower Lanes waterline extension, which he described as “a little over $400,000” in total project cost and part-covered by the award.
Supervisors approved a $12,000 engineering proposal from Morris Knowles & Associates for the Kennan Drive waterline extension. Supervisor Todd Paulich said the township intends to run a waterline from Kennan to Orrs using township equipment and part-time workers, estimating the work would take about three to four months and hoping to begin in May. Paulich cautioned the line will be low pressure initially. The board received requests from Kennan Drive residents who have sought water service since 2015; resident Greg Bosich told the board those residents still lack water service.
The board also accepted the township engineer’s recommendation to reduce Bayt Development LLC’s Irrevocable Letter of Credit for the Salem Ridge project from $352,368.19 to $230,642.04 after field confirmation and sewer testing by Victor P. Regola & Associates.
On sewage rates, the board adopted Resolution No. 6-2026 establishing 2026 sewage rental rates; Kerry Jobe said a $0.29 reduction in FTMSA’s rates produced a final charge of $73.70. Town officials reported the Cloverleaf pump station will be discussed with FTMSA regarding a possible retrofit or rebuild; new pumps and the recently installed variable frequency drives are operating as intended.
Resident concerns prompted discussion of inspection billing. Resident Connie Mattei raised what she said were inconsistencies on a Jobe Inspection Services invoice, noting that occupancy-permit fees of $25 were not appearing on associated building permits and that certificates shown on invoices were not on the posted fee schedule adopted Jan. 5, 2026. Solicitor Falco Muscante advised the board that because the invoice amount was less than the bill sheet amount, it could be approved, and that the township — not the applicant — had been billed for the occupancy permit and that the applicant would need to be billed separately.
What comes next: the board authorized engineering work and grant-funded scopes so the township can seek bids and schedule construction; officials said selected projects are contingent on final engineering and grant conditions, and one waterline project may require additional state approvals.
