Judge hears pump station arguments

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Testimony was heard Monday in Allegheny County Orphans Court on whether a parcel of land in Blythedale Park can be used for a pump station by Olympus Energy, the gas well company formerly known as Huntley and Huntley.

Several hours of testimony supporting and opposing the use of a section of the park were heard by Judge Lawrence O’Toole.

Andrew Kuzma, chairman of the township commissioners, testified that commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a lease agreement with Olympus for .037 acres of land for the pump station. Under the lease, the company would give the township $1,000 a month for the next 15 years, along with a half-acre parcel adjacent to the park and the Great Allegheny Passage. 

Kuzma said commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the lease agreement, which also gave the township complete control over the appearance of the 20- by 32-foot pump station building and the landscaping around it.

“I felt it was a good deal for the township. I represent 13,000 people and I felt the majority of them would support the pump station over truck traffic,” Kuzma said.

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