Montrose boro has water capacity concerns

BY STACI WILSON

A meeting between Pennsylvania American Water Company representatives and Montrose Borough Council members last week did not alleviate council’s concerns that a proposed water line to Dimock was getting railroaded through the system.

Councilman Sean Granahan said, at Monday night’s borough meeting, that council still has questions about the water capacity of Lake Montrose.

Granahan said that in the meeting, PAWC reps acknowledged no water capacity study had been done on Lake Montrose in conjunction with setting up the proposed water line or water withdrawals by natural gas drilling companies.

He also said several council members reviewed PAWC’s loan application for the water line to Pennvest.

Granahan said, “PAWC has submitted the application under the guise of a handful of Dimock customers.”

He also said PAWC claimed there would be no commercial properties tied to the line, a fact which he disputed.

Granahan also said he had called Pennvest, who he said, told him they would be looking at the PAWC water line application as a business loan.

“Rate payers and taxpayers will carry the brunt of the loan,” said Granahan.

He also reported the Pennvest Board was scheduled to meet on Nov. 9 and could make a commitment to loaning the water company the funds for the water line at that time.

Council has opted to send a letter outlining the borough’s concerns to individual Pennvest board members prior to the Nov. 9 meeting.

Council will advertise a no parking ordinance for South Main St., between Holy Name of Mary Church and Jackson St.

PennDOT has requested the borough adopt the ordinance.

United Fire Company received the borough’s approval to hold a “Parade of Lights with Santa,” on Friday, Dec. 10.

Parade line-up will be at 6:30 p.m. by the former Andre’s Mill. The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. and will travel down Cherry St., to Church St., up Public Ave. to Lake Ave. and ends at the fire hall.

Area groups and local fire companies are encouraged to participate in the parade with floats and fire trucks.