Orwigsburg votes to use eminent domain - News
The Orwigsburg Borough Council adopted a resolution recently that authorized eminent domain proceedings for a portion of the Scott and Sandra Sopko property in the borough.
At its Aug. 9 regularly scheduled meeting, the council took the action. Members Michele Rudloff and Angie Hoptak-Solga did not attend the meeting.
The property on Ridgeview Drive has a 20-foot easement on it. A meter pit and meter connection were put on the property for the Orwigsburg Bulk Water Project earlier this year.
That work on the property has since been completed. The installation of the meter pit will be used for development in the old Deer Lake Drive-in area.
Apartments and a hospital could be built there.
The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority will buy the water from Orwigsburg, then bill customers in West Brunswick Township.
Borough Manager Robert Williams declined comment, except to say there was no public comment on the matter. Council President Buddy Touchisky also declined to comment on the matter because of pending litigation.
Paul Datte, attorney for the borough, said Thursday the area in question is a 20-foot wide strip in the location of the easement.
“We have up to a year,” to take action, he said.
Asked if the Sopkos have been notified, Datte said he didn’t know. Nothing has been filed so far by the borough.
Sudhir Patel, attorney for the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, said Thursday he had yet to see a copy of the resolution. He is also unaware of any court filings regarding the eminent domain issue. Patel said he had not had any conversations with James Wallbillich, the attorney for the Sopkos, about the matter recently.
Wallbillich, Pottsville, was not available for comment.
The matter about the easement and other related matters are still in Schuylkill County Court. Earlier this year, Schuylkill County Judge James P. Goodman denied a preliminary injunction to not proceed with the bulk water project.
In other action, the council accepted the resignation of Jake Brensinger, a streets and utility worker, because he obtained employment with SCMA. The council authorized advertising for his position.
Devin Deibert was transferred to full-time status with the street department.
The council voted to authorize Alfred Benesch & Co., the borough’s engineer, to resubmit a grant for $50,000 to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the Veterans Community Memorial Hall. The Veterans Memorial Task Force will provide a $50,000 match. The council also voted to authorize Alfred Benesch to submit a Keystone Communities Downtown Improvement District Planning Grant to DCED for new curbs, sidewalks and streetscape. The borough will provide a $25,000 match for the $25,000 grant from the capital improvement fund.
Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028
Comments
Post a Comment