Year in Review: Water tops the talk in West Penn Township

Much as it did in 2016, water extraction remained the hottest topic in West Penn Township in 2017.

Earlier this month, township supervisors agreed to have a $50 charge for anyone putting in a well until the township’s reorganization meeting next month when a fee schedule is in place. However, the well ordinance itself remains in its current form.

That came after supervisors, last month, agreed to table its current water well ordinance and re-enact its old one for the time being.

Ultimately, supervisors decided to table the current ordinance and re-enact the old ordinance, so as not to prevent those who wish to drill a new well in the township from doing so.

In October, supervisors made it mandatory that anyone wishing to drill a new well in the township would have to get a permit from township officials.

At that time, supervisors on a 2-1 vote, with Supervisor Ted Bogosh opposed, adopted a water well ordinance.

Bogosh said he was opposed to the ordinance, because he believed it will result in an expense for the township, as well as homeowners.