Family fights water service cut

Ebensburg woman, 74, has service shut off over borough sewer line mandate

EBENSBURG -- After one resident struggled to meet a borough mandate to connect lateral lines to a new sewer line, Ebensburg Borough took action.

As a result, a 74-year-old woman is without water, and her family is fighting back.

"My mother has to carry buckets of water up the stairs now to boil it because the water is shut off," resident Christie Gradwell said. "This just isn't right."

The water shutoff stems from an $8.9 million sewer line replacement project that began August 2018 in the borough.

Gradwell said her mother, whose name was not disclosed, had her water shut off after she was unable to come up with the funds to connect to the new sewer line.

While there were prior warnings, Gradwell said the water was turned off without warning after alleged promises from a former borough manager said otherwise.

Gradwell said she was told by former borough manager, Dan Penatzer, that although work was needed to tap in to the system, her mother would not be in danger of losing service.

"We were told by (Penatzer) that our water wasn't going to be turned off," Gradwell said.

"There were notices sent out, but he told us there was nothing to worry about. Then this new borough manager comes along, and it's shut off," Gradwell said.

Penatzer, who retired in February, but remains with the borough part time, was replaced by Kelly Cook.

Cook said she spoke with Penatzer and said no promises were made, adding that the borough "follows the enforcement of every resident equally."

Penatzer could not be reached for comment.

The water was originally planned to be turned off in February, but due to winter weather, the date was extended to Tuesday, Cook said.

Ebensburg Borough Council President Doug Tusing said a water shut-off moratorium established by the state due to COVID-19 was lifted Nov. 9 and that council members "should be" aware of a ruling by the borough municipal authority to allow utility shutoffs.

"I can't speak personally to potential promises other people may have made, but I can say there were many extensions granted due to COVID-19," Tusing said. "People had time to set up payment plans with us, and it's been quite some time now that this has been going on."

Cook said if a resident had a contractor hired to complete the necessary corrections, the borough would provide an extension and not shut the water off.

While Gradwell's mother spoke with contractor Kamzik Septic Services of Johnstown, she did not commit to the contractor, Cook said.

"We needed something to prove she had a contractor," Cook said. "We told them we needed a signed letter by the end of the day."

Gradwell said in order to abide by the borough's guidelines, it would require digging and plumbing work, and one contractor quoted work on her mother's house for about $1,800.

"She lives below the poverty level," Gradwell said. "I know she's had the time to do the work, but she hasn't had the money. She's a 74-year-old diabetic with high blood pressure, and now she has no water."

Tusing said residents had nearly three years to plan and complete any work, adding that all affected residents were provided "numerous public notices."

The project was divided into 10 geographical regions, and the majority of the work was finished in 2019.

Gradwell said to be compliant, there would be extensive work to the foundation of her mother's home, which involves "ripping up the concrete" in the basement.

Tusing said the borough council and municipal authority decided at the beginning of the project that homeowners would only be responsible for the lateral lines to the foundation of the home, but Gradwell said the borough is forcing her to fix a stormwater issue in her basement, which she said accounts for much of the cost.

"Why is she responsible for stormwater?" Gradwell asked. "This has nothing to do with sewer water. She should only have to tie into the sewer line like everyone else."

Gradwell said she felt the borough was dishonest throughout the process.

Cook informed the Mirror that only two residences in the borough had their water shut off ­-- Gradwell's mother, and another due to "no-payment on their payment plan."

Gradwell said she believes the number of households affected is more than two.

"There are definitely more people who are facing the same issue," Gradwell said. "We aren't the only ones."

Tusing said it is "an unfortunate situation," but added that solutions are available.

If anyone is facing financial hardship, Tusing said to contact the borough office and work something out.

"If you found a contractor and are willing to do the work, we can make something happen," Tusing said. "We hate to see this happen, but we have worked with everyone to the maximum extent. At some point, a solution has to be found."

Mirror Staff Writer Calem Illig can be reached at 814-946-7535.