At a recent meeting of the Summit Hill Water Authority, officials learned the solar field project they have been undertaking and is now at the construction phase continues to occur slower than they expected. As a result Authority Engineer Mike Tirpak applied for an extension to the half million dollar PPL Rebate Reservation grant to give the authority until December 14, to use the funds although Tirpak said he was doing so just to be cautious and that it may not be needed.

"Progress on the solar field is slow moving," said Tirpak citing a section of installed pipes for the inverter pad were out of place or bent incorrectly and that the foundation should be poured the week of July 27th provided inspector Rick Harmon of Barry Isetts and Associates approved the plans. Tirpak did point out the irregularity to Harmon regarding the pipes.Tirpak also told officials the solar panels were ordered and set to be delivered before the end of July and he requested a meeting among Chairman Louis Alexander, Harmon, Joe Marone of Miller Brothers and ChrisDePaul who is doing the excavating work to lay some ground rules for the construction phase of the project.He also told officials they would need to install a DSL line at the pump house for connecting the inverter so it can transmit the required reports. This would be a $35 dollar monthly charge to the authority and needs to be approved by mid-August. The carrier would be Windstream.The authority will meet again on August today at 7 p.m.