UGI may be running gas line service into the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community, which is undergoing a major expansion, but residents should not expect the utility company to be expanding gas service into other parts of the borough, council members said during their Jan. 3 meeting.
“I don’t think they’re interested in bringing it (gas service) down the street,” said council member John Riddell, adding that PennDOT would require the company to do a major renovation of South Church Street if they dug up the street to install gas service.
Joe Swope, spokesman for UGI, contacted after the meeting, said the company already does provide gas service to QPRC. He said the firm is evaluating projects and providing service to other parts of Quarryville, beyond expanding service to QPRC, would be "quite an expensive venture.
"We wouldn't do it unless there are large customers who could serve as anchors," Swope said. "There is nothing imminent."
Council members said they were surprised by the appearance of UGI construction vehicles at QPRC, since gas service was not in the plans which were presented to council and the borough’s planning commission.
“They did leave that out,“ said council President Robert Landis Jr., of QPRC officials and planners. “I don’t know why they weren’t up front with us,” said Landis, adding that he did not oppose UGI running service to the borough.
Borough manager Al Drayovitch Jr. said UGI had an existing line on South Church Street and he believed the extension was an economic development decision.
Council member Mike Sullenberger said it would have shown more respect to the borough if the developers had shown the gas line project in their plans.
Council members also expressed concerns about new Uniform Commercial Code regulations which require sprinkler systems to be installed in buildings given permits after Jan. 1, 2011.
“Do we have enough water pressure?” asked Sullenberger of the borough’s water supply.
“These are the kinds of questions that come up,” said Drayovitch. “We’re not even sure what level of pressure we have to provide.”
Drayovitch said the borough needs to gather more information, and consider issues such as whether to require new dwellings to have just one water connection with a sprinkler system, or one water connection for the regular water supply and another for a sprinkler system.
In a separate matter, Major Joy Kemper asked why a new roof was put on the house the borough owns next to the borough building, when council had recently decided to look at whether to keep or sell borough properties.
Drayovitch said the roof had leaked and needed to be repaired immediately, at a cost of $5,500.
Finally, council appointed: John Chase to the vacancy board for a one-year-term ending Dec. 31, 2011; William Mankin to a five-year term on the borough authority from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31,2015; Craig Ausel and William Koch to four-year terms on the planning commission, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2014; Jim Hassinger to a 6-year term on the Civil Service Commission, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016; Barbara Hastings to the zoning hearing board from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013; Brett Curtis and Marc Hargraves to three-year terms as alternates on the zoning hearing board, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013; and Mark Deimler and Solanco Engineering Associates as the borough’s zoning officer effective Jan. 17.