Educational seminars proposed in Upper Salford

A proposal by Upper Salford Township’s wastewater consultant calls for three seminars to educate residents later this year on their septic systems and their potential options for repair.

7KH fiUVW GUDIW, SUHVHnWHG by Fred Ebert during Tuesday’s board of supervisors and planning commission joint public meeting, includes having three expert panelists at each seminar.

According to Ebert, the public sessions would also include handouts, a PowerPoint presentation and three presenters. He said the presenters could include an expert installer of septic systems, a system designer and a government regulator.

“7KLV LV MuVW D fiUVW GUDIW,” Ebert said during the meeting.

Last month, the township’s board of supervisors directed Ebert to incorporate an educational component for township’s proposed Act 537 sewage replacement plan.

Supervisor Kevin O’Donnell said the meetings, broken up into segments in order to create smaller gatherings, would likely occur in October. He expressed hope that the meetings could be completed in November.

Supervisor Richard Sacks suggested that the meetings be kept smaller in order to make them more manageable.

“We’d like to avoid the holidays,” O’Donnell said Tuesday night.

He added that the goal is to involve as many residents as possible and create a healthy exchange of ideas. The same information will be provided at each meeting, according to O’Donnell. He suggested that they could be held in the township’s meeting room at 1441 Salford Station Road.

“The idea is to prevent similar information at each meeting.” O’Donnell said.

According to Ebert, each presentation will include fiYH FRPSRnHnWV: Dn LnWURduction and overview of septic systems, the description and explanation of common lot systems, basic septic system prevention and maintenance, identifying indications of potential problems and options to reduce or eliminate malfunctioning systems.

Ebert envisions that experts, who would speak generally during the presentation, would be available to DnVwHU PRUH VSHFLfiF TuHVtions from residents after the educational program.

At the end of the meeting, O’Donnell directed Ebert to coordinate dates with the schedules of potential panelists.

Supervisor Ted Poatsy did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.