By LAURA JAMESON

ljameson@lockhaven.com

FLEMINGTON — Flemington Borough Council will hold a conditional use hearing to either approve or deny the construction of a 32-unit housing complex for the elderly called Susquehannock Heights.

Susquehannock Heights would consist of a two-story building with an open basement level, similar to The Gardens in Lock Haven, and located west of Youngs Avenue and north of Woods Avenue at the borough’s border with the city of Lock Haven.

The building is not considered public housing; it is affordable housing for those 62 and older. It will stand two stories in front and three stories in the back, which faces the creek.

About two-thirds of the nine-acre tract will remain green space.

Council received an update about the planning of the project during Thursday night’s meeting.

“(I’m) real pleased with the program and design so far,” said Councilman Stephen Hoy, who met with representatives of SEDA-COG, the project developer, to go over current designs and planning.

Hoy suggested SEDA-COG look into having two different sources of water flowing from opposite directions to ensure constant water supply to residents, as well as better lighting.

Council as a whole discussed fire safety to ensure that in the event of a fire, fire departments can reach the building and supply water.

The closest fire hydrant is approximately 300 feet away from the building which is an okay distance for fire trucks, Councilman Gary Mellot said. The next hydrant is a little over 1,000 feet, which is still within regulations.

Planning for Susquehannock Heights has been on-going since SEDA-COG first picked the location in 2016.

The conditional use hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 before council’s regularly scheduled meeting.

SUBURBAN WATER

Due to several water breaks in the upper hill section of the borough, members of Suburban Water Authority attended Tuesday’s meeting to ensure water entering the borough was safe.

Field Superintendent for Suburban Dennis Arcadipane said the authority tests at 10 different locations throughout the borough, which reflects the entire line, each month.

They measure the amount of bacteria in the water as well as chlorine and lead and copper.

Lead and copper testing is completed every three years while the others are done every month, Arcadipane said.

He explained that the amount of chlorine can effect the amount of bacteria because it’s what cleans the line and, due to change to non-lead pipes decades ago, lead and copper contamination typically takes place in older homes and not the authority’s lines.

The authority is also governed by the Department of Environmental Protection, Arcadipane said.

“All of our tests go through a certified lab and then go to DEP,” he said. “The whole idea (for testing) is to get a snap shot of the whole system.”

The closest test points are in Woodward Township and Mill Hall, he said.

The authority does not change testing locations and only would if DEP felt they needed to, he said.

One of the biggest worries for members of council was the possibility of asbestos from asbestos-cement piping entering the system.

Asbestos and cement based piping stopped being used in the 1960s because the Environmental Protection Agency was concerned with those who manufactured the piping, not the actual pipe itself, Arcadipane said.

This type of piping is currently being used in both the city and the borough, but there’s no easy solution to get rid of it, he said.

The authority calculated the cost of removing the pipe at $4.5 million dollars so they’ve been handling it through a case by case basis, he said.

Arcadipane said that the borough has been doing very well overall, thanks in part to the reservoirs they use.

“You’re lucky to have reservoirs that are not touched by people,” he said.

Some areas pump water through rivers and lakes that are used for recreation which can be more hazardous compared to Lock Haven’s reservoirs which are not allowed to be used for recreational activities, he said.

Council thanked the authority for answering their questions and offering some reassurance.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business council:

r Approved the borough’s participation in Lock Haven’s Summer Recreation program with the exception they do not purchase any more craft supplies and only pay for an employees salary.

Councilman Wayne Allison said the borough already has a large portion of unused craft items from years past.

“I’m opposed to buying any more handicraft materials until the rest is used,” he said.

The motion was approved unanimously after being made by Allison and seconded by Councilwoman Traci Kuntz.

r Tentatively approved a bid for storm water drain updates on Woods Avenue in the amount of $175,000.

The project was put out to bid on Monday in partnership with the city, who is updating slipline in their sewer system as well, Councilman David Grimm said.

The total cost of the project, including a 35 percent mobilization fee and $50 for advertising will be paid through a PennDot Turnback Grant, Grimm said.

Lock Haven City Council must approve the bid as well, before any more planning takes place.