Municipal water and sewage may be in the future for over 300 residents of Shenango Township. Some residents aren't happy with the idea but Larry Robinson, chairman of the board of supervisors, thinks that it will be key to the township's future growth.

"We're looking at how to grow the system and keep the township solvent," Robinson said.

"There is nothing set yet at this point," he added. "It's just a proposed project. We want to get it down to a cost factor that's not going to kill our residents' finances."

The proposal would affect the east and west ends of the township. On the west end, many of the approximately 280 homes have municipal sewers, but no municipal water. Approximately 50 homes on the east end of the township that would be affected by the proposed have neither utility.

The main parts of the proposed project include state Route 318 between state Route 718 to the township line including Hogue Road, the unsewered parts of Bedford Road and Wheatland Road, Lilac Drive, Maple Grove Road and Mabel Drive. The east side of the township includes state Route 18 from the township line to Mitchell Road, and Buckwalter Road from Route 18 to Mitchell Road.

"We're actually mandated by DEP to keep growing our sewers as time goes on," said Robinson, referring to Act 537, the state law that governs municipal sewage treatment. "We also have to look at the growth of this community to keep the taxes down. It costs more and more to do simple business every day. We haven't raised our millage for 16 years, and we had to raise it 2.3 mills this year. And its not for raising the employees salaries." The township real estate levy is now at 7 mills.

A 57-home residential development may also be in the works in the vicinity Maple Grove and Jackson Roads, Robinson said.

Route 18 south "is the most appropriate place to get sewage and water," he said describing the commercially-zoned area as ripe for growth.

But some of the residents in the proposed areas, though supportive of some residential and commercial growth in the township, don't want any changes for themselves.

"I don't think I'd be interested at all," said Nicholas Serbic, 66, of 68 Mabel Drive. "I don't know why people would want (municipal) water. I have relatives who live in West Middlesex and they come here and take water back home to drink because they like the taste better."

"I like my water and I don't like to change," said Marie Schuller, 80, of 91 Lilac Drive. "I have no problems with bringing in business and industry as long as I don't have to take the water, that's fine." Both Serbic and Mrs. Schuller have municipal sewage.

Michael Pearce, 52, of 16 Raymond Drive, also in the proposed project area, says he understands about bringing in more business and industry but likes his well water and his small community.

"Looking at the big picture, I see a lot of industrial sites in the valley such as Hickory, Sharpsville, Farrell and much of Sharon. ... I'm happy with our community," said Pearce, who also has municipal sewage."I call it a bedroom community with a good school district, a good fire department. I'm happy with it the way it is."

But others would like to see the township move ahead with the project.

"I'm 100 percent in favor of getting city water. Since they put the sewers in, there's more and more people moving in and they're tapping into our water," said Donald E. Kovac, of 160 Maple Grove Road, who put his age in the sixties. "I know it's going to happen eventually and I'm willing to accept it. It will improve the resale value of my property."

Bill Waugaman, 49, of 133 Buckwalter Road, would like to see the project happen because of his location. "I'm tied into the sewage system of Oak Leaf Estates, and DEP won't allow me to put in a septic system," he said, adding that if he ever sells, the mobile home park won't allow the new owners to be hooked up to the system. "If they brought (municipal) sewage here, and I was hooked on, I would have a viable piece of property that I can sell if I want to." Waugaman said that he was happy with his well water, though.

Some people want to wait and see what the project will entail before making a decision.

"We paid enough for the sewage system and we're not in any hurry to get city water," said Patricia Bell, of 40 Raymond Drive. "We would have to see what all is involved and what all is proposed."

Robinson said that the supervisors have had some complaints about bad water by residents, and explained that those who already have sewers will not shoulder any financial responsibility for the proposed project. He also said costs haven't been figured out yet for this proposal.

"We understand money for older residents is a lot tighter. We're also in contact with PENNVEST to see if low interest loans would be available for the residents, if we go ahead with this project," Robinson said, adding that "it does make a home more valuable regardless of how you feel about it."

But he also made the point that as an elected official, unpopular decisions sometimes have to be made. "I feel as an elected official, you are deemed to make decisions that are best for the community, though some residents may not be in favor of it," Robinson said. "You're elected to lead the community and you have to have the foresight to see what's coming down the road."

At a work session Monday, the supervisors will be discussing the project, but Robinson made it clear that "we haven't done any public hearings on any of this. We're just trying to get the facts and figures to see if we can do it, if it's cost-effective."