What the mild winter weather giveth, a touch of frost taketh away.
Like other municipalities in western Pennsylvania, North Huntingdon Township realized a substantial savings on winter-related expenses this year.
But the township didn't totally escape the icy bite.
More than 1 million gallons of water leaked into Indian Lake last month when a water line broke, public works director Richard Albert said.
The break in the 1-inch line that runs from Clay Pike to a maintenance building at the lake "was more than likely weather-related," Albert said at the township commissioner's regular monthly meeting Wednesday.
Township roads and parks workers replaced about 300 feet of PVC pipe with a new copper line after a spike in billing costs became apparent, Albert said.
"It was between meter readings," he said. "I'm not sure how long the line was broken."
Even though this past winter was one of the mildest on record, Albert said there apparently was enough freezing and thawing to damage the line.
Township Manager John Shepherd said the township's normal water bill of $300 to $400 shot up well over $1,000.
Albert said water levels at the lake didn't increase noticeably because it has an overflow area.
In other business, board Chairman Tom Kerber reported that two revenue categories are below last year's levels.
The $216,376 in real estate tax revenue the township has collected through March is down $57,000 from a year ago. Interest income is off by $47,000.
But Kerber said expenditures appear to be in line with the budget.
Commissioners also approved a pay scale for Solicitor Bruce Dice. He will be paid a flat fee of $5,000 per month plus costs.
