New tank will fix campground's water problems

By Jerry Goldberg
DINGMAN — Longstanding water problems at Lake Adventure may finally be fixed by a big new tank.

Dingman township's planning commission recommended a Land Development Improvement to secure a 750,000 gallon water tank, which will provide constant pressure to the community's water supply.

Lake Adventure is a family campground with 1,500 lot owners and more than 1,700 lots.

Dingman supervisors agreed to the Land Development, with two conditions. First, Lake Adventure must at the same time file the Final Land Development Plan and its Utility/Access Easement Plan, dated Jan. 14, 2014. Second, Lake Adventure must allow a access gate to the storage facility, as requested by Dingman Township Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Bill Mikulak.

Lake Adventure also asked the township to help with snow removal. Township Supervisor Tom Mincer said that since it's a private development, the township has no control over its snow removal, and may intervene only in the of a serious safety issue, such as fire department not being able to gain access to the community because of uncleared roads.

In other business
New fire truck — Mikulak said negotiations for a new fire truck have been completed with the Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. of Snyder, Nebraska. The final price is $560,000. “We are negotiating with the banks for financing and our creditors are willing to give us the money," said Mikulak. He said Smeal has almost a full year to deliver the new unit.

Gold Key fire — Mikulak said there had been a structure fire at Gold Key Lakes. A homeowner installed some “heat tape” to his pipes, which then shorted out, causing a fire, he said. There was no major damage to the residence.

Winter's end — Township Roadmaster Jim Snyder said the remainder of the township's winter salt was delivered on March 5. His department is working on repairing damage which took place to township trucks over the winter.

Buildings and codes — Code Enforcement Officer Chris Wood attended an annual training conference in Harrisburg, where he completed courses such as Working Together to Solve the Wastewater Puzzle, Micro-Mound Design and Review, Ethical Standards for SEO’s, and Onsite Wastewater Management in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. He said Maryland is going to require all landowners replace their current wastewater disposal systems at a cost of around $25,000 per property. He said not to be surprised if it becomes a requirement in Pennsylvania, too, in the next 5 to 10 years.