Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • 9

The Indiana Gazette Wednesday, June 9, 1982 Page 9 Residents protest mandatory water-service fee If they didn't use the water. Neither couple signed the petition. Both families were among those who recently received notices that liens had been placed on their properties for non-payment of bills to the municipal services authority. Robert Kunkte, authority chairman, explained that the petition had been signed by a majority of the residents and that the water connection ordinance passed by Center Township makes mandatory the inclusion of all homes within a certain distance of the main water line. Passage of the ordinance, he said, is the only way that money could be obtained from Farmers Home Administration iFmH A I to fund the project.

The couples indicated they were glad to have the water service available, but objected to its being instituted under what was termed "false pretenses." Both families beilieved that the mandatory tap-in and monthly service fee had not been explained to residents of the area prior to installation of the line. study on including Rossller in the project has been completed and forwarded to FmHA with a request for an obligation in addition to that already approved for the rest of the project. If that funding is not forthcoming, the authority will pursue the possibility of obtaining a Small Cities Grant. A suggestion from authority member Art Miller that an additional three-quarters of a mile of houses he included In the Kossiter project met with some opposition following the protest of the Bethel Church Road residents. Kunkle suggested that if any additional homes were to be included, each family affected should receive a copy of the mandatary water connection ordinance.

Although this service is not the authority's responsibility, Kunkle said he felt distribution of the ordinance would "take us off the hook." Duffalo also mentioned that the authority is in possession of a number of abandoned structures at the old water systems it has By VICKI RUDDOCK Gazellt Staff Writer Discussions concerning the local mandatory water-connection ordinance cropped up several times at Tuesday night's meeting of the Indiana County Municipal Services Authority. The ordinance, which must be passed by a township or borough before government funding can be obtained for a waterline project, helps provide money to pay back the loan by requiring all those whose properties abut the line to pay a $50 tap-in fee and a monthly base rate. Two couples residing on Legislative Route 32030 i Bethel Church Road) near Aultman were present to lodge a lengthy protest at having to pay the $14 monthly service fee even though they don't use the public water. The families claimed the petition requesting water sen1 ice was presented in such a way that residents were unaware they would have to pay the service fee even taken over, and plans will be made for demolition. In other business, the authority: Approved billing for administrative time for work on behalf of the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce and Indiana County Industrial Development Authority.

Heard a treasurer's report indicating that the anticipated deficit as of June 30 will be 4,955.32. The money must be repaid to FmHA by July 15. was noted that while some money may have to be borrowed, it will be a much smaller amount than was considered in January when the authority was nearly $16,000 in debt. Approved a $33,622.65 construction requisition for the lselin sewage project, largely for work done on the on-site system. Heard reports from Duffalo that the engineering punch list has been completed at the Strong-Morgan! i Sewage Plant in White, Township, with the exception of the access road, and that sewage facilities for the housing project in Black Lick should be completed by October.

Kunkle responded that the authority would begin an Immediate investigation into any possible Illegality involved with the extension. Michael Duffalo, executive director of the authority, reported on the status of the Water Renovation II project involving Montgomery Township (Arcadia), Pine Township and Creekside Borough. The project entails acquiring three privately owned water companies serving the areas and installing water treatment plants there. Duffalo stated that about 70 people attended a public meeting in Pine Township Last Thursday and that Monday night the super' visors passed a local mandatory water connection ordinance. Residents of Arcadia will be given an opportunity to vote on the ordinance at a meeting set for June 25.

Duffalo was present for a meeting in Creekside earlier Tuesday evening, and said that borough will hold a public meeting in July concerning passage of the ordinance. Duffalo also noted that the feasibility Housing authority sets new wages for salaried workers County job total increases James L. Curry, manager of the Indiana office of the state Bureau of Employment Security, reported that total jobs within the county increased by 200 between March and April and by 500 over April 1981 figures. Curry's statements were based on BES statistical reports for April, released last week. The unadjusted figures showed Indiana County's unemployment rate at 8.9 percent for April, down 0.7 percent from March's 9.6 percent rate.

During April 1982, 33.200 jobs were reported among both manufacturing and non-manufacturing establishments in Indiana County, said the BES director. Total jobs in the manufacturing sector remained at 4.8Q0 during April 1982, down 300 from a year ago. Employment In durable-goods industries showed a net gain of 100 for the year, said Curry, with fabricated-metal products and non-electrical machinery industries adding 200 jobs, while 100 jobs were lost in The board voted, however, to allow new rales for the maintenance staff to be retroactive to July 1 if they arc not established until after that date, the fiscal-year start of the new wages. Amond said the personnel committee believed the salaries were fair while the uncertainty of funds for comparable increases next year is imminent. The board accepted a low bid for general liability-automobile liability insurance from the William G.

Mechling Agency of Indiana. Mechling's bid of a $768.88 annual premium for the coverage was below three other offers. The bid will be forwarded to HUD to determine if it meets established requirements of the bidding. The board voted to raise the security deposit for the authority's family-housing units throughout the county from $50 to $100. The deposit By VINCENT BECK Gazette Sloff Assistant The Indiana County Housing Authority approved new wages for its salaried employees of the 1982-83 fiscal year Tuesday night in the court- house planning room-Board Treasurer Maynard Amond presented the recommendations of the board's personnel committee to boost salaries of most tCHA employees, while a new wage for one full-time and one part-lime maintenance worker was not set.

The following salaries were approved: executive director. $18,400: accountant. 12.275; Section 8 Housing coordinator. $11,764: class typist, $8,594: class 1 typist, S8.Q54. Amond said the recommendations were made to keep authority salaries comparable to those of other county agencies and offices.

The locally approved wages must now be submitted to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for concurrence or rejection. New wage rates were not set for the agency's maintenance staff to allow time for the recommendations of a HUD labor representative. The representative is expected to visit the county to evaluate the agency's maintenance needs and to set minimum salary requirements, accord Attending Tuesday's ceremonies at the Indiana Elks Ciub were, from left, Robert Bell, president of the Indiana-Armstrong County Builders Association; U.S. Rep. Eugene Atkinson; carpenter's apprentice Allen Henderson; John Marganti, choirman of the apprentice committee; and apprentice Brad Wadding.

(Gazette photo by Fisher) other durable-good categories. Nondurable goods lost 400 jobs over the 12-month period 200 in apparel and related products and 200 in nondurable goods. Total Jobs in the nonmanufactur-ing sector increased by 200 for an April total of 28,400. a net increase of 800 jobs over April 1981 totals. Curry said that within the manufacturing sector, monthly gains of inson addresses Carpenters uating class at the authority's elderly units remains $50.

The authority will purchase one refrigerator and one stove to begin betterments at the agency's Conemaugh Terrace apartments. Funds for the $433 purchase were made available by HUD. The board approved also the purchase of seven windows from Raymond Plate Glass of Indiana to replace windows with worn seals at the Moorwood Towers building. David Keeley was hired for the summer as a general-maintenance assistant to aid the authority's maintenance staff- The position is funded by the federal Manpower summer jobs program. Bonnie Bernard was promoted from class I typist to class 11 typist.

By TIM HAYES Gazette Staff Writer Eleven students received certifi ter the meeting. "We have to provide stimulus to the economy in areas of need, as in the Lugar-Patterson Bill. I think it's )usl the right thing to do. "The only way to get the economy moving again is to get the prime rate down and get Americans back to work," Atkinson continued, "because if you get people working again, you'll meet all the social needs of the country." Otto E. Hennie, executive officer cation as carpenter's apprentices Tuesday night from the Western Pennsylvania Home Builders Association, making them the first graduating class in the slate to complete the four-year training program, sponsored by the Indi ana-Armstrong county builders Association.

At ceremonies held at the Indiana Elks Club, the graduates, along with instructors and guests, of the Indiana-Armstrong Builders Association, gave the new craftsmen graduates some more good That would translate to approximately 700.000 jobs, according to congressional investigations, Atkinson said. According to Atkinson, other proposals aimed at helping the depressed housing industry include the Emergency Housing Stimulus Bill, which would provide instant monetary relief to the industry; shifting billion from synthetic fuels into housing: extending Farmers Home Administration loan eligibility to first-time buyers: and reducing the amount of regulations involved in processing FHA loans. Putting any of. these proposals into action, however, is quite another matter, as Atkinson attested. "The president doesn't agree with these, but I don't see him making any vetoes," be said.

President Reagan has openly opposed the Emergency Housing Stimulus measure, however. On the other hand, the $1 billion transfer from synfuels to housing has already been made, said Atkinson. "That kind of innovative funding is all that will help the total economy until the high interest rales drop," he said in an interview af news on tbe state level. He said that the state General neara U.S. ttep.

tugene AiKinsun of the 4th district speak on his view of what Washington is doing in terms of the economy in general Assembly has decided to table a "mechanics lien" bill that would and the housing industry in particular. The most striking move in Con mandate all construction jobs over $100,000 be bonded. What this would mean to home builders, Hennig said, is that jobs would be Pine Township plans carnival HEILWOOD The Pine Township Volunteer Fire Department in Heilwood will hold its annual carnival the week of June 14-19. The Big John Auction will be held 6:30 p.m. Monday.

A teen dance featuring "Neon" will be held 7:30 to 1:30 Tuesday. There will be a fire-fighting display 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and games, rides and food all day Thursday. Friday will feature a parade at 6:30 followed by mug night. On Saturday there will be a 50s -60s dance at the fire ball from 8 p.m.

to 11 p.m. extrcmelv hard to get and Keep gress concerning housing, said Atkinson, is the Lugar-Patterson Bill a bill Atkinson has co-signed He went on to explain that through the efforts of the state builders association's lobbying group, the bonding clause has been removed from the bill, and that the ing to Executive Director Betty Schmedicke. Jeff County OKs legal services By DAVE PUTNAM Gazette Sloff Writer BROOKVILLE The Jefftrson County Commissioners on Tuesday accepted an allocation and approved a contract to provide legal services to tow-income adults in the county. The contract will be with Laurel Legal Services, a Greensburg-bascd law firm with offices in Brookvillc. The contract to provide free legal services to county adults above the age of 18 is Tor a period beginning July 1, 1982, and ending June 30, 1983.

The allocation accepted is in the amount of $25,736 from the Adult Services Block Grant for the legal services. In another financial matter, the commissioners approved a temporary' kwn to the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission in the amount of $9,625. Clearfield County Commissioners have approved a similar loan. The loans will be repaid to the counties involved when the commission is reimbursed by the stale for the first quarter of 1982. Approved was a motion on the composition of the Jefferson County Conservation District.

With the next vacancy on the board, the composition will be changed from four rural members and two urban members to three rural and three urban members. The next vacancy will occur when the term of William Smith, a rural member, expires- January mat win provide leoerai lending institutions with $5.2 billion over a five-year period. This money will 100 jobs were reported in mining, wholesale-retail trades and service Industries while state and local government lost 100 jobs from March to April. While the mining industry showed an gain of 3,200 jobs, 3,000 of these were actually workers returning fallowing settlement of a labor dispute, said Curry. The actual annual increase in mining jobs for the county was about 200.

Annual gains of 400 each were recorded in wholesale and retail trades (6,100 jobs and the service industries 14.100 jobs. State and local government lost 200 jobs from year-ago totals. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics' Civilian Population Survey estimates Indiana County's civilian labor force at 45.100. Earley orders limit on pickets Indiana County Court Judge Robert C- Earley issued a consent order Tuesday afternoon banning the obstruction of employees and limiting the number of pickets to four during any one time at Ihe Cameron Manor Nursing Home. Route 119 south of Indiana.

Nursing home officials sought the injunction as the strike by 85 employees, members of the American Federation of State. County and Municipal Employees. Local 83. enters its fifth day today. The walkout came when talks between the union and administration broke down last Friday.

The dispute centers around the employees" first contract since voting to unionize last November. Points of discussion reportedly include benefits, patient care, full work force, wages and a union clause, whereby all Cameron Manor employees would be required to join the union. Judge Earley issued the consent order after meeting in his chambers with attorneys far the union and the nursing home. bill itself probably will not come to a vole for the remainder of the be made available at 4 percent below the market rate, he said, and will be used to create an estimated i 400,000 housing starts. year.

Burrell citizens support policeman garbage collection, community health and local service programs. The supervisors agreed to look into grant applications for the project. Heard complaints from residents about the amount of chlorine and the bitter taste of the water as compared to the past. The supervisors replied that the Burrell Township Water Authority could interpret reasons for the change of water pumped from other dams. Resident Frank Avalli explained to the citizens that all the water comes from High Ridge Water but there are seven holding dams that are used to pump the water to township homes.

Announced that Kunkle Street in Josephine will have their road repaired in the near future. The board also reported that recreation department employee Rick Bost will maintain the park in Josephine. Listened to residents' complaints about missing stop signs and speed markers. The township recently replaced many of the signs at a cost of more than $600. gested that Bergamasco contact his neighbors concerning their property and a drainage ditch.

In other business, the supervisors: Proclaimed the week of June 21-25 as Burrell Township Public Library Week. The proclamation states: "The library-is an important segment of community life, providing educational materials, cultural insights, and programs for recreation, free of charge. Whereas the Burrell Township Library board of directors and the Friends of Ihe Library Committee, support groups are concerned with promoting its use and funding for materials and programs." Received a letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development concerning "Demonstration Award Grants" for local government and neighborhood organizations. This program with grants of up to $100,000 is designed to stimulate lasting programs without federal funds.

Examples of grant usage were cited for parks and recreation. ship responded with their support by signing the petition. Supervisors called attention to another major topic at past meetings: the continuing delay of a traffic light at Chestnut Ridge Plaza on Route 22. The project is being held up by W.W. Wellington, mall developer, who had sent a letter promising that "a light will be installed and maintained if needed." All the necessary permits have been issued, and copies were sent by the township solicitor a second time to the mall developer's representative.

Richard Hoffman, who stated that they were never received. Supervisors also heard resident Joe Bergamasco tell about a problem with cinder ashes backing up in ditches on Penn View Mountain at Township Road 724. Donaldson said if the elevation is taken off the curve, it might cause accidents in that area in the winter. Ashes have built up over the winter, but are needed for buses and other vehicles using the steep road. Supervisors noted they will need a right of way to dig a ditch and sug By RONNOCCO Gazette Contributing Writer BLACK LICK Residents of Burrell Township let it be known that at least 1.048 residents are in favor of retaining part-time police officer Mike Surma when a petition was presented to township superivisors.

The petition submitted Tuesday night contradicts a position expressed at last month's meeting, when 183 citizens signed a document complaining of Surma's performance. After saying that Surma has done a good job in the past, Ed Patterson, owner of the Admiral Nelson Res-tauranl, presented a petition stating Surma should be retained in his current capacity. Patterson pointed out that some people had signed both petitions and commented that maybe some of the people did not realize what they were signing when they wrote their names last month. Chairman Gerald Donaldson said at the last meeting that "more citizen participation is needed," and residents from all areas of the town Commissioner Andrew Laska reported on a Monday-night meeting in Reynoldsville, where Ihe Pennsylvania Fish Commission met with county sportsmen to work on plans for improvements at the Kyle Run Dam near Reynoldsville and Falls Creek. Laska said that about 40 persons were present and that most seemed satisfied with plans to improve the quality of fishing at the county dam.

Approved for payment were invoices totaling $49,656 and the county's actual payroll of $112,046.79 for the period of May 17-28 inclusive. Tax reminder ROCHESTER MILLS Cheryl L. Pfeiffer, Grant Township tax collector, reminds taxpayers to take advantage of the 2 percent discount. June 19 is the last day to pay 1982 county and township taxes at discount. Discount payments made by mail must be postmarked by June 19..