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Pocono agrees to study sewer extension to Paradise under Act 537; developers expected to fund capital work
Summary
Pocono commissioners authorized staff to continue discussions with Paradise Township about extending sewer service along the 611 corridor under Act 537, pending cost estimates; preliminary engineering shows capacity for the corridor and officials said developers would fund capital extensions, with Pocono collecting user fees later.
The Pocono Township Board of Commissioners voted to authorize staff to pursue further study and negotiations with neighboring Paradise Township about an Act 537 sewer expansion along the 611 corridor.
Peter Gans, chair of the Paradise Township board, described a proposed rezoning along 611 that could accommodate heavier commercial and industrial uses and asked Pocono to take the Act 537 steps needed to make sewer capacity available in the future. He emphasized that the presentation was anticipatory — no final zoning or applications were before Paradise.
Pocono’s municipal sanitary engineer said preliminary analysis indicates the corridor’s full build-out could demand about 276 EDUs, roughly 68,000 gallons per day, and that Pocono’s system has capacity to receive that flow, subject to detailed design. Commissioners stressed that any capital extension would be developer-driven and that Pocono would not fund the line construction from its sewer operating budget; developers would pay for the capital work while Pocono would collect user fees afterwards if it takes the system over.
Commissioner discussion focused on cost allocation, the need to revise Act 537 plans (which can take six to 12 months), and agreement to obtain detailed pricing and engineering before any commitment. One commissioner flagged possible conflicts and abstentions on matters tied to specific developers and asked staff to clarify individual recusal requirements before future votes.
The board’s motion authorizes staff to continue conversations and gather cost estimates and engineering details; commissioners said staff should return with an implementation plan and clear financial terms before advancing any formal Act 537 submissions.
