GREENCASTLE, Pa. — Water is finally flowing as originally planned to the newest warehouse in the Antrim Commons Business Park.
The commercial and industrial area sits along U.S. 11 south of Greencastle near Exit 3 of Interstate 81 in Antrim Township.
Problems arose nearly a year ago when a project to extend Antrim Township Municipal Authority water lines to the park were disrupted by easement issues. An emergency agreement allowed the building to be served by the Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority in June.
Last week the completed Antrim Township line was hooked onto the warehouse that is now a distribution site for Riviana Foods. According to its website, Riviana Foods produces, markets and distributes branded and private label rice products as well as pasta products.
“I am pleased that the new (Antrim Township Municipal Authority) water line extension is finally in place to serve not only the new facility on (Antrim Commons Business Park) Lot 15, but also future growth as it happens in the business park and beyond,” said Chad Murray, who serves on the Antrim Township Municipal Authority and is also an Antrim Township supervisor. “The ATMA water system is primed to handle the additional water customers.
“With the new water line’s proximity to the (Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority) water system, the entire Greencastle-Antrim area’s water customers can be better served with public water.”
Northpoint Development sought help from the Antrim Township Municipal Authority in March 2019 when the easement issues arose that stopped the water line extension work. The two municipal authorities hammered out the agreement that allowed the warehouse to temporarily connect onto the Greencastle water system.
Just a few months later, the easement issues were solved and the Antrim water line construction restarted in October. Construction wrapped up as the calendar turned.
Northpoint paid considerable tapping fees to both authorities as part of the pact.
The agreement and subsequent construction also created an interconnection vault where the two water systems meet on the Lot 15 property. The vault creates an easy possibility for future connection of the systems. That would, however, require another agreement on which so far neither authority has taken any official action.
Officials have discussed talking points for an agreement on the use, operation and maintenance of the interconnection chamber.
