removed through a process called “milling”.
The process involves a contractor’s large
milling machine grinding off the old
asphalt, loading it into waiting trucks.
The milling process moves very quickly
and is labor intensive. It requires numerous
dump trucks to haul away the milled
asphalt. The material is not wasted. It is ideal
for stabilizing unpaved roads or berms and
for constructing recreational trails.
Several years ago, in an effort to allow
Millcreek’s Streets Department to continue
normal maintenance operations while the
milling was taking place, an offer was made
to neighboring municipalities. Participants
agreed to help Millcreek with their milling
program in exchange for a portion of the
milled materials. Over the years many
townships have taken part in the shared
milling program, enabling Millcreek to
use our short construction season more
effectively.
Washington Township has found multiple
uses for the milled asphalt. Township
Manager, David Anthony explained how
new and upgraded trails were constructed
in the township’s 17 acre Wainer Park. He
said “the material was also ideal for a remote
township road. We chip-sealed over it and it
looked like a paved surface.”
dividends. Millions of gallons of “clean”
water have been eliminated from the sewer
system, generating significant savings for
the rate payers.
Harborcreek Township learned about
Millcreek’s program and wanted to see if a
similar project would work for their system.
Through a reimbursement agreement
involving the two townships and their
sewer authorities, the Millcreek I&I crew is
made available to provide their expertise in
Harborcreek.
Brian McNamara, the Manager for the
Harborcreek Township Sewer Authority,
said the cooperation “has been fantastic.”
Millcreek’s crew has found numerous sump-
pump connections and other sources of
infiltration. According to McNamara, “Our
treatment and transportation costs are
down roughly 25%. That helps us stabilize
our rates.”
“BUILDING” TEAMWORK
This past fall, Girard Township offered
a couple of their dump trucks and drivers
so Millcreek could finish a ditch cleaning
project without delaying the completion of
road paving. In fact, Harborcreek Township
supplied the excavator for the project.
In exchange for Girard’s trucks, Millcreek
painted some lines for Girard.
Sandy Anderson, former Girard Township
Supervisor, said “I’m glad Girard and
Millcreek were able to help each other. It’s
good to be neighborly.”
“MAIN” INVESTIGATION
Nearly all municipalities that provide
public sanitary sewers for their residents
battle with the problem of “clean” water
entering the system. The “clean” water either
seeps in through cracks in pipes or through
illegal connections, like footer drains or
sump-pumps. This problem is commonly
referred to as Inflow and Infiltration (I&I). I&I
creates serious capacity problems for the
sanitary sewer system and adds significant
expense as the water flows unnecessarily to
the treatment plant.
Millcreek Township’s Sewer Department
has been investigating I&I for many years.
A crew equipped with a video camera,
attached to a remotely controlled cart,
winds its way through the sanitary sewer
mains, searching for leaks and illegal
connections. The effort has paid big
In 2004, Pennsylvania began requiring
building inspections for all new
construction. Municipal governments were
given the choice of allowing contractors
to select an inspector, hiring their own
employees to perform inspections, hiring
a third party inspection company or
combining with neighboring municipalities
to hire a third party.
The township Supervisors in Fairview,
Harborcreek and Millcreek decided to join
forces to hire a single inspection company.
As part of that agreement, a single RFP
(Request For Proposals ) was developed,
requiring a standardized permitting process
and fee schedule… issues that had been a
concern for contractors for years.
The submitted proposals were reviewed
and an inspection company was selected.
The multi-municipal consortium has worked
very well for nearly 15 years.
JUST LINES ON A MAP
Examples of intergovernmental
cooperation, similar to those cited in this
article, have been standard procedure in
local government for decades. Stretching
tax dollars, efficiently and effectively,
remains the top priority for those
responsible for municipal operations.
When a municipality is looking for some
help, it usually doesn’t have to look very
far. The help will be right next door. Girard’s
Sandy Anderson summed it up nicely…
“Borders are just lines on a map.”
MILLCREEK
❘
SPRING 2018
19