SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A new municipal water service for the Nestlé Purina facility got a one-year extension for conditional approval from South Whitehall Township Commissioners on Wednesday.
But nearby residents said they're apprehensive about the price to link up to the line, as well as service fees if they opt out of an offer from Nestlé to foot some of those costs.
The original deadline of April 17 included construction of a 4,400-square-foot water line and a 40,000-gallon water tank and mechanical building near 2050 Pope Road, where the Nestlé Purina Pet Care manufacturing plant sits.
The water main will run along Huckleberry Road, with extensions running to residences along the path.
Nestlé has offered to compensate those affected by the water main plan up to $5,980, though at least some local residents are wary of that figure.
"... There has been good progress.”Attorney Stephanie A. Kobal, on behalf of Nestlé
Township staff advised that the developers should hold monthly meetings with staff and arrange a six-month project update with the commissioners.
Speaking on behalf of Nestlé, attorney Stephanie A. Kobal said there has been progress on the plans, but could not assure the commissioners anything had been completed.
“Some of the big things that I know are outstanding are payment of fees I owe the township and an opinion of record title with regard to some right of way areas," Kobal said.
"And we started it, we got to a stop, and so I have to do a title burn down. So there’s things like that, that are outstanding, but there has been good progress.”
Water woes
Nearby residents were sent a letter notifying them of the requested extension and notification of Nestlé’s intent to cover some costs linked to the project which would affect them.
“As part of the project approval, Nestlé agreed to provide for the installation of water services from the water main on Huckleberry Road to the curb stop valve in the Right of Way located at each property at the expense of Nestlé, including tapping fees,” the letter reads.
“In accordance with Township requirements, each homeowner is to be responsible for obtaining a private plumbing contractor to connect the water service from the curb stop valve to the home.
"Nestlé has agreed to cover this expense for each homeowner up to $5,980 to connect from the curb stop valve to the home.
"Should you choose not to accept the water service, you will be responsible for paying a quarterly minimum charge in accordance with Township Ordinances.”
'Lose-lose' scenario
Huckleberry Road residents Jenny Fiorito and Jennifer Sedora attended Wednesday’s meeting to comment on the overall project and the proposed payment from Nestlé.
“The offer of $5,980 is less than half of what the connection costs from the curb box to our home will be for us, and for our neighbor at 4236 Huckleberry, it's roughly a third of what the connection costs will be,” Fiorito said.
"I can only guess that when [residents] do [obtain cost estimates], they might find themselves in a similar, unfortunate, frustrating predicament..."Huckleberry Road resident Jenny Fiorito
“And I canvassed the neighborhood over the weekend, and I learned that most of the homeowners have not yet obtained cost estimates for the connection from the curb box to the home.
"But I can only guess that when they do, they might find themselves in a similar, unfortunate, frustrating predicament like I find myself in, and my neighbor at 4236 Huckleberry.”
Fiorito said the presented figure was an average cost, which could vary wildly depending upon homeowners’ situations — for instance, boring under a driveway to establish a connection could be prohibitively expensive for some.
Calling the options a “lose-lose” scenario, Fiorito cited Nestlé Purina’s substantial revenue — $21.4 billion in 2023 alone — as a significant point of contention in the discussion on what constitutes fair compensation for locals affected by the project.
“So over the course of this requested time extension, we're sincerely hoping Nestlé Purina will strive to not only be an employer of choice in Allentown," Fiorito said.
"But also be a neighbor of choice and like the brave 459 Local 773 Teamsters that are currently on strike, neighbors like myself and Jennifer, we would greatly appreciate if Nestlé Purina would be willing to engage in good faith negotiations and reach a mutually satisfactory resolution."
'$500 out of our pockets'
Resident James McGee spoke next, stating he and his wife preferred to rely on the well they have on their property.
“With that said, we're forced to pay a minimum fee if we don't tap into the line that you're proposing, which is about $500 a year — $500 out of our pockets that we don't need, we don't want,” McGee said.
"So it just gets me irritated and mad, but I don't need this line. I understand that it’s needed, but we shouldn't have to pay for it.”Resident James McGee
“We didn't ask for the exemption. I couldn't have said it any better, what Jen said about the cost. I was kind of afraid to get an extension.
"So it just gets me irritated and mad, but I don't need this line. I understand that it’s needed, but we shouldn't have to pay for it.”
Following the vote approving the extension, Commissioner Chris Peischl encouraged the public to reach out to the township with any other concerns.
“And please don't be shy about calling the staff and asking them where this program is," Peischl said.
"They're going to have to meet with them monthly and come for us in six months with the updates, so I want to hear your part of the story as well, not just one side."
