The Shenango Valley Intergovernmental Study Committee received a bill from the consulting firm hired to study the sewer systems of the Shenango Valley, but haven't seen the results of the firm's work, committee members said.

Hermitage Commissioner Joe Augustine, who chairs the water and sewer sub-committee, said he received a bill for over $13,000 from L. Robert Kimball and Associates, Inc. of Ebensburg, Pa. The company was supposed to find funding for the infrastructure work, and it was not supposed to cost the municipalities anything, he said.

The committee was denied a request of funds from the state Department of Environmental Protection under their "Growing Greener" program, Augustine said. A letter from the DEP suggested the committee look to PennVEST for funds. PennVEST is a low-interest loan program for municipalities to complete infrastructure projects.

Farrell Mayor William Morocco said he thinks there is also a way to get a grant through PennVEST if an application is submitted early enough.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development has also pledged $50,000 to the project.

Kimball and Associates was supposed to secure funding for the project but "they're sitting back and letting us do all the work," Tom Tulip of the Pennsylvania Economy League said. "Obviously they stopped work when they couldn't get any funding."

The entire committee seemed in agreement that recommendations for the consolidation of Farrell, Hermitage, Sharon, Sharpsville and Wheatland can't move forward until the infrastructure issues are understood.

Sharon is currently in talks with DEP officials because the city's waste water treatment plant has more inflow than allowed. The city is facing the possibility of having to build a new plant at a cost of at least $20 million.

Sharon's situation also affects Sharpsville, Hermitage and South Pymatuning Township, which are all part of the Upper Shenango Valley Water Pollution Control Authority and use Sharon's plant.

"We've said all along we need the state's help with infrastructure, regardless of everything else," said Alan Kugler of the Pennsylvania Economy League's northwest division in Erie.

"How long are we going to sit here and take this," asked Thomas Lally, a Sharpsville councilman and committee member. He said Kimball and Associates has nothing to show for what they billed the committee for.

"It's time to fish or cut bait," James DeCapua, executive director of the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, said.

"They should get their butts in gear," said Dennis Puko, executive director of the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission.

The committee voted to have Augustine call Kimball and Associates and get written records of the work they have performed to date. They also voted to have solicitors review the contract and gave authority to the subcommittee to get out of the contract if it is legal to do so.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharon-herald.com