Westmoreland County municipalities seek Crabtree sewer authority's dissolution

Three municipalities in Pennsylvania have asked a judge to dissolve the Crabtree Municipal Authority. The request was made after the authority has been inactive for several years. Hempfield, Salem, and Unity townships formed the agency in 2004 to create a public sewer system for around 900 customers. However, the authority never received the necessary funding to move forward with the project. Recent court documents reveal that the authority lacks active members and assets. The only outstanding matter involves a solicitor owed over $15,000 in legal fees. Hempfield supervisors withdrew from the authority in July 2020, followed by Unity in August and Salem in September of the same year. Since then, no formal steps were taken to dissolve the Crabtree authority. Local leaders are still looking into options for sewer services in the Crabtree area. Hempfield has decided to explore other partnerships and might work with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County for future sewer projects. Salem and Unity are also considering new joint sewer initiatives. A recent study has suggested several options for installing a sewer system, with costs estimated between $10 million and $34 million. Both towns agree that dissolving the Crabtree authority is crucial for moving forward with the new plans, particularly as Unity faces regulations from the state's environmental department regarding existing sewer issues.