A problem with a geothermal heating system was brought to the Transit Authority of Warren County to the Warren County Commissioners on Monday.

The ask? $7,000 in local match to fund a system replacement at the Clark Street. facility.

TAWC Executive Director Wendy Hollabaugh told the commissioners during Monday’s work session that the system is owned by Susquehanna Development and Bob Yoder.

“We have had issues ever since they put this in,” she said. “The past director really kind of let it slide.”

Hollabaugh told the commissioners that the system pulls in river water but doesn’t have a filter system so there is “sediment coming into our building.”

The system provides water for the building’s toilets, heating and cooling and sprinkler systems. She told the commissioners that the geothermal element is “something that really needs to be removed from our system. A cooling tower is the best way to do this.”

She said a quote was received that estimated the total price of the project at $200,000 but explained that PennDOT has guaranteed funding for the project if TAWC can raise a $7,000 local match.

“It’s a major problem and it has been for a long time,” Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said. “The sum is small but the need is great.”

Hollabaugh said there would be savings to be found both in maintenance and water usage.

Eggleston added that this is another element of that development project that was not properly done.

The commissioners were also presented with TAWC’s annual request for fixed-route matching funds. That total, an annual allocation, came in just shy of $51,000.

REASSESSMENT UPDATE

The commissioners also heard from Chief Assessor Brian Bull, who provided an update on the ongoing reassessment process.

“The field work is moving along rather well still,” Bull said.

He explained that data collectors are wrapping up Farmington Twp. and will move to Pine Grove Twp. this week. They hope to complete Elk before the weather turns, at which point the focus will shift to the city as well as Conewango and Glade townships.

“I’ve been out quality controlling some of the areas they’ve already done,” Bull said, “Everything I’ve checked for quality control looks really good.”