————— — 1C The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, November 8, 1995 Water (continued from page 1) the aquifer, township supervisors pointed to more than 2,600 users of wells in the area, including Penn State, Lake-Lehman High School, Lehman-Jackson Elemen- tary School and the new Lehman golf course during their testimony. Since the prison opened, three homes within a mile of it have lost their wells or seen a substantial decrease in the volume of water coming fromartesian springs, they said. Residents wonder how deep they can drill wells and still find usable water. Supervisor chairman Walter Glogowski has estimated the prison’s water system was losing about 40,000 gallons of water daily - nearly 10 percent of its demand — through leaks in pipes. “The department of corrections’ application was for the new wells,” said SRBC chief engineer John McSparran. “They had drilled some new wells and had done some pump tests. They wanted our approval for these two wells.” The “new” wells which the department asked to be approved in April, 1994, had been drilled in 1979 and 1987, he added. “Technically, these wells are in violation,” he said. “They told us they aren't using them now. I'm sure that once we told them to stop using them, they did. If they ignore us, we could take other measures.” In order for the SRBC to ap- prove SCID's use of its “new” wells, the department of corrections must satisfy three conditions, according to SRBC hydrologist Larry Taylor, who was the pri- mary reviewer of the application. e The prison most perform a 48-hour test of two wells at the rate or 400,000 gallons per day while monitoring surrounding private wells and the effect of the increased withdrawal on the east branch of Harveys Creek, a well- known area trout stream. The prison must not use any water from its wells for two weeks before this test is performed. e SCID must continue to moni- tor nearby private wells while using the additional wells. In any case, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission's pow- ers seem to have more bark than bite. “We could penalize them, but probably won't,” said legal coun- "sel Rich Kairo. “If a violation is proved and they don’t stop using their wells we could get an injunc- tion from the U.S District Court to make them stop. Disobeying a court order can result in a fine or imprisonment.” He said the SRBC hadn't known about the wells for the past 15 years because no one told it about them. “The information about the prison’s wells didn’t come through our normal channels for wells and water use,” he said. “We have no way of knowing about these things unless someone reports it to us.” In July, 1994 state corrections commissioner Joseph Lehman bowed to residents’ and legisla- tors’ demands that the prison use the water line for all of its water needs. The state had spent $663,000 in 1992 to build the water line, but the department of corrections insisted the pipeline was only an emergency backup system. It also spent $43,000 on a hydrogeologist's survey of the prison’s water supply, including 10 nearby private wells, the prison’s five wells, a pond and the east fork of Harveys Creek. The study indicated that seven to 10 nearby wells could be af- fected during a severe drought. The hydrogeologist recommended using only one well so the aquifer wouldn't be depleted too quickly. Prison officials maintained using the wells wouldn't harm the community's water supply. The residents got the wrong idea from the study, they said. Despite repeated requests, residents say they haven't been told whose wells would be affected or how much the prison spends on well maintenance, repairs and replacement of pumps. In 1995, during the second driest spring on record, newly appointed commissioner Martin Horn reversed that decision, say- ing recent state audits had criti- cized SCID for purchasing water for $185,000 a year when “free” waterwas available from the wells. He refused to order SCID to stop using its wells during the 1995 drought emergency pro- claimed by Governor Tom Ridge until he had received “definite proof” of a water problem, despite requests from area legislators. It's easy to subscribe to The Dallas Post Use the coupon on page 2 or call 675-5211 Singles' dance Nov. 11 Reach Out Singles Everywhere (R.O.S.E.) will host a Singles Dance November 10, at the American Legion Post 395; 386 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, 8 p.m. to midnight. No smoking in ballroom, no denim allowed. For information, call John 770-4405, Pat 822-0639 or Judy 823- 3071. West Side Flower Club meets Nov. 14 The West Side Flower Club will meet November 14 in the Church of Christ Uniting, Market St., Kingston at 6 p.m. This particular meeting will be the “Make It-Bake It-Grow It-Sew it” exhibition. Entries will be judged and prizes will be awarded. Members are requested to enter items that were made or grown this year. Reservations are being taken for the Christmas party to be held December 3, at the Knights of Columbus, Luzerne at 1 p.m. Anyone interested in joining the club is invited to attend the Novem- ber 14 meeeting. Members are also requested to bring a guest. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Zoning - (continued from page 1) property a minimum/maximum lot size of two acres at its October 10 meeting. It's now residential, with 1 1/2 acres.” After the supervisors approved the changes, Redmond read a statement about them to the audience. “Each member of the board of supervisors has the responsibil- ity of guaranteeing to the resi- dents of Franklin Township that the decisions we make on behalf of the township do not affect the financial stability of this munici- pality,” he said. “Even though the planning commission has the right to prepare and submit proposed zoning and subdivision ordi- nances to the supervisors, it is not the planning commission's responsibility to guarantee that the proposals they submit will not financially disrupt the township's financial stability.... Taking into consideration the comments re- ceived ‘ from our solicitors, the Department of Community Affairs and the Luzerne County Planning Commission and my own personal evaluation of the overall planning for Franklin Township's future, we have made these decisions in the best interest of Franklin Township.” The supervisors also appointed Elton “Red” Brace to the planning commission to take the place of Frank Hilstolsky, who was re- moved from office at the request of the supervisors September 26 after a hearing. The supervisors had said they were concerned Hilstolsky wouldn't render fair decisions on the McAvoy proper- ties because his brothers and McAvoy were involved in a law- suit. Miller voted against Brace's appointment to the planning commission. “They never discussed this with me,” he said. “He's the least quali- fied candidate for the job.” The supervisors didn't approve a preliminary budget, which must be acted on by November 30. “It's being worked on,” Red- mond said. “We've been having too much fun with zoning.” Other than your family, who will take better care of you than a neighbor? Making sure you get the doctors you want, and the comprehensive, quality care you're accustomed to. All while saving you money. We will, because we are your neighbors. And part of a new alliance that is improv- ing health care throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. Wyoming Valley Health Care System is a network of community health providers that includes 5,000 of your neighbors, working with local doctors to provide unsurpassed medical care and a full range of health-related services. 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