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Supervisors chairman James Kalenich said at a June 8 meeting that the Lancaster City Water Authority plans to complete the study to determine how to improve water pressure and has asked West Lampeter Township to contribute financially.
That water pressure is expected to change in the Willow Street area as well as in part of Pequea Township with the anticipated expansion of Willow Valley and creation of three new Pequea Township developments. Kalenich said a Pequea Township representative has said that municipality has no funds to contribute.
Supervisor James Baker asked why the cost would not be passed on to water customers. Kalenich said the authority asked for a contribution for the study only. Possible future expansion of a Bridgeport transfer station or new stations would be charged to customers. The water authority, he said, pointed out that the townships have developments that will require water-system improvements.
If the township does not contribute, township manager DeeDee McGuire said, it is possible the study will not be done.
Baker said if Willow Valley wants to build, they should contribute to the study.
"Why should our residents have to pay," Baker asked, "when you have private ventures benefiting?"
In other news, the board approved a conditional use for Grouse Pointe, a proposed 88-unit development along Rockvale Road. At a May meeting, neighbors of the proposed development expressed concern about increased traffic and the effect the new homes could have on their wells.
During the June 8 meeting, the supervisors reworded a condition that reflected an offer made by developer George Desmond to replace any neighboring wells that go dry as a result of construction. The supervisors changed the wording to read that Desmond would replace a neighboring well if it goes dry "or deviates substantially" from its preconstruction status.
Supervisor Barry Hershey wondered if allowing a $150,000 donation to the Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA in lieu of a community center for Grouse Pointe would set a precedent for future developers. Kalenich said that Grouse Pointe includes walking trails and other open space. The only thing it does not have to meet township requirements is a community center. Desmond also agreed to pay for one-year YMCA memberships for homeowners.
Judy Boyd, 1387 Rockvale Road, said she still had concerns about traffic. Durell Neely, 1849 Rockvale Road, asked if thistles growing on the property could be removed.
In other news, the supervisors:
• Replaced two police cruisers for $44,490.
• Sold the township's 1990 International truck for $20,551 to Evans Excavating of Quarrryville.
• Awarded a $30,215 bid to Martin Excavating, Lititz, for paving a section of a walking trail in Village Park that was rerouted when the Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA building was created.
• Heard from Lancaster YMCA CEO Jeff Kenderdine and Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA director Darin Pickel that more than 3,000 people — 92 percent of whom joined as families — have become members at the L-S facility.
• Rented a larger office space in the municipal building to Rep. Scott Boyd for $14.74 per square foot.
