During the March 15 meeting of Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority, Don Steffy, of Nuss Enterprises, asked for an exception to accommodate a single-family home on Quarry Road in Egypt.

Steffy said he has an offer for a land parcel along Quarry Road that was considered marginal for development. The potential owner wants to use the parcel for a single home, although there is potentially room for more than one home. There is a PPL easement across the property and a cordoned-off, abandoned mine shaft at the rear of the parcel.

Properties outside the main Timberidge development along Quarry Road have on-site sewage systems. This particular parcel is within 150 feet of a main sewer line. The standard agreement calls for properties located close to a main sewer to connect to the public sewer. Steffy provided an option that would permit the connection. Essentially, he proposed a short run of the main sewer line to a longer lateral that would serve the new house.

There is another convention that applies for this parcel. A developer must extend the main across the front of the property. There are significant advantages to CWSA with this rule. In this case, it would be a costly venture for Steffy. He estimated costs at $72,000. He was offered $20,000 for the property. Driveway access along this part of Quarry Road is challenging with a steep grade near the cartway.

CWSA Chairman John Schreiner was wary of the proposal.

“I can see several problems - not just with your proposal, but with the other parcels not served by public sewer,” he said. “The township may require that we serve those areas in the future.”

Schreiner and the board will take the situation under advisement and render a decision.

“We will try to outline the problems by our next meeting,” he said. “But it may take more than one meeting.”

Schreiner indicated that CWSA, at first blush, is inclined to deny his request.

Sanitary Engineer Darryl Jenkins, of SSM Group, said plans for sewer line changes and easements for a CWSA line that runs near the Allentown Riverfront development are final. The plans are waiting for required approval signatures.

The board made a motion to raise the hourly rate for summer interns from $8 an hour to $10. The wages are stepped up $1 per hour if the intern returns.

Board members paused a moment to remember James Coombe, a former board member, who served with distinction during his time on the board. Coombe was instrumental in developing ABE Car Care. He was active in the community and served on the school board and his condominium association.

Schreiner announced the April meeting will be CWSA’s annual meeting and public review of the authority’s performance in key areas.