Rates set at Letterkenny

September 09, 1998|By DON AINES

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Rates approved Monday by the Franklin County General Authority will make the cost of water and sewer service for the Army and future occupants of Letterkenny Army Depot comparable to those in surrounding communities .

On Tuesday, the authority set the rate at $3 per 1,000 gallons for water and $5 per 1,000 gallons for sewer service, according to John Van Horn, facilities manager for the Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority.

"The authority reviewed the operating costs for the site, as well as the water and sewer rates of the surrounding area" in setting the rates, Van Horn said.

The authority was established by the Franklin County (Pa.) Commissioners to administer the utilities at the depot. Van Horn said the authority on Monday would assume operational control of the water and sewer systems.

The authority hired Earth Tech Inc., a nationwide municipal services contract operator, to run the water and sewer systems, according to Van Horn.

Eventually, the Army will transfer ownership of the sewer and water systems to the Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority. The transfer of those systems and approximately 1,500 acres of depot property to the development authority is part of the 1995 decision by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to downsize the depot.

Earlier this summer, the development authority reached an agreement in principle with the Army under which it eventually will own the electric distribution system at the depot. Allegheny Power Co. would operate and maintain the system.

Development authority spokeswoman Deborah Garvin said the general authority reviewed plans to renovate Building 500, the former headquarters. The project will include a new roof, brick facade, electrical and fire safety improvements and the addition of an elevator and entrance ramp to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Garvin said the improvements will be paid for with funds from the federal Economic Development Administration.

Van Horn said requests for bids will go out this month and contracts will be awarded in October. He said work could begin in November and be completed in six months.

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