The sewage facilities update plan for West Penn and Walker townships was reviewed by the Schuylkill County Planning Commission at its monthly meeting held Wednesday evening at the courthouse in Pottsville and found it complied with the county land use plan and returned it to the townships for further action.

The plan calls for four service areas, 1, South Tamaqua, 2, Clamtown and Reynolds Area; 3, Andreas Area; and 4, Snyders Area. Each study and service area has been evaluated and separately to determine the most economical sewage facilities solution.For the four areas two systems are recommended. The one called OLDS for a publc cluster community on-lot sewage disposal system and for the one called COLDS, for the properties currently connected to wildcat sewers. For those properties for which insufficient space or suitable soil is availalbe to the property owner.Although each service area has been evaluated separately, one overall "Project" will be implemented with five 95 village phases representing each service area. The total estimated project cost is approximately $1,029,000.The project cost may be funded through the USDA Rural Utilities Service with a combination of 45 percent grant and low interest loans. The estimated annual user fees for the 30 EDUs including debt service and operational and maintenance costs is approximately $890 or $75 per month.The board returned the plan with the following comment:"We commend the township officials for updating the preparation of the townships' plan update. The plan is comprehensive, well-prepared and contains informative maps. It explains past planning activities and describes the townships' sewage facility planning issues in a clear and concise presentation. The proposed plan with its selected alternative appears to be consistent with the Schuylkill County Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2006."Although the plan was unanimously approved by seven of nine members present, Anthony Prudenti expressed concerns over cost to the property owners and suggested they explore additional alternative plans.Review projectsThe Schuylkill County Airport Authority notified the board it will be applying to the Departmenmt of Environmental Protection (DEP) for a permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction. The authority plans to construct a pre-fabricated metal clear span building for a aircraft hanger approximately 7,300 square feet.OTM, LLC, notified the county it is applying to DEP for a permit for completion of an existing townshouse development with 25 units left to be constructed and existing roads and utilities to to completed. The development is located in the townships of West Penn and Walker.Approve subdivisionsFinal approval was given to two subdivision plans.Anna Weis to Delroy F. and Sheila M. Straub, annexation of 78.5 acres in Upper Mahantongo Township; and the plan of Robert J. and Kathleen A. Earls, annexation of 0.23 of an acre in Ashland Borough.Gary Bender chaired the meeting. Other members present were Charles Ross, Anthony Prudenti, David Briggs, Kenneth Lehman, Gerald Lengel, and Bob Lettich. Absent were James Setlock and John Malinchok.