What is the General Authority of the City of Franklin?

The General Authority of the City of Franklin was created under the provisions of the Pennsylvania

Municipal Authorities Act in 1969 by ordinance of the City of Franklin.

 

The General Authority owns and operates the public water lines, water supply and treatment facilities within the City of Franklin and the Rocky Grove area of Sugarcreek Borough. In addition to the lines, the water system consists of 2 water treatment facilities, 5 booster stations and 8 water storage tanks.

 

The General Authority also owns and operates all sanitary and combined sewer lines within the City of Franklin. In addition, the General Authority owns 75 percent of the sewage treatment plant with Sugarcreek Borough owning the other 25 percent.

 

The Authority Board is appointed or re-appointed for five-year terms by the Mayor and Council of the City of Franklin. The authority does not have employees, but rather the personnel are City of Franklin employees with costs reimbursed by the General Authority through a management agreement.

 

How did the upcoming water projects come about?

The General Authority of the City of Franklin maintains approximately 60 miles of water distribution lines within the City of Franklin and Sugarcreek Borough. Some of this infrastructure is over 100 years old and in need of replacement. Interesting fact, approximately 10 years ago the oldest fire hydrant on the current system was replaced, the date of manufacture on that hydrant was 1898.

 

Project locations are typically decided based upon certain criteria, such as the condition of the line,

importance of location within the system and number of repairs, to name a few.

 

The water network crews not only maintain the current system, but they install some new water distribution lines when feasible. By having water network crews install water distribution lines, it greatly reduces the costs. Unfortunately, not all distribution lines can be installed by the small crew, so larger projects need to be put out for bidding.

What areas are affected by the upcoming water project?

Contract #1 – Approximately 3,900 linear feet of 8-inch water line will be installed on Front Street between Rocky Grove Avenue and Manor Drive within the Borough of Sugarcreek. The project includes replacing 68 water service connections and 7 new fire hydrants. This work will be completed by Terra Works, Inc. at a bid price of $1,506,733.29.

 

Contract #2 – Approximately 3,500 feet of 8-inch water line will be installed on Allegheny Boulevard between the Washington Crossing bridge and Front Street within the Borough of Sugarcreek. The project includes replacing 15 water service connections and 5 new fire hydrants. This work will be completed by Wilson Excavating and Utility Construction, LLC. at a bid price of $1,003,371.40.

 

When will the project start?

Tentatively, both contractors are expected to begin construction in the spring of 2025. However, Terra

Works, Inc. may begin as early as March 17^th.

 

How long will the project last?

Both contracts are to be substantially completed within 180 days, once they begin.

 

How do we pay for this project?

The General Authority submitted an application, documentation and engineered drawings to the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) requesting funding assistance. PENNVEST is a financing authority through the Commonwealth of PA which provides low-cost financial assistance to address water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source pollution problems that impact public health, safety, environment, regulatory compliance, and economic development.

PENNVEST awarded the General Authority $3,680,000 in the form of a 1-percent low interest loan for 5

years and then a 1.74 percent loan for years 6 through 20.

 

What does this loan mean to rate payers?

Unfortunately, it has meant an increase in our monthly water bills. As you are aware, there was a $5 monthly increase starting January 2025 for residential customers and commercial customers saw a similar increase based upon their water meter reading. In 2025, residential customers are paying $52 per month.

 

The monthly loan repayment amount for this project alone is nearly $16,000.

 

How will the construction affect me?

There will be traffic delays at times, road closures and all of the construction expected issues while driving. Every attempt will be made to have streets reopened at the end of each workday.

 

The contractors will be required to notify emergency services of their work locations and road closures

to ensure those services are not impacted should they be needed.