Burkets use well, contending chlorine sickens wife
By Phil Ray
Altoona Mirror, March 30, 2010
HOLLIDAYSBURG – Greenfield Township is attempting to force an elderly Claysburg-area couple, Donald R. and Janet Burket, to use township water even though Donald Burket contends the chlorine makes his wife sick.
Donald Burket and his daughter, Wendy, also of Claysburg, were before Blair County Judge Tim Sullivan Monday arguing against a township request for a court order forcing the couple to use township water or face a fine for civil contempt of township ordinance.
The case was before Sullivan in 2008 when he ruled the Burkets must hook into the Greenfield Township water system. His decision was upheld by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
They have done that and they are paying the standard monthly rate for township water, but the Burkets contend that while they are hooked into the system, they should not be required to actually use the water for daily living purposes.
Donald Burket said after the hearing that the township water makes his wife ill, which is why he does not want to be forced to use it.
Senior Judge James R. Kelley stated that even though Janet Burket is apparently sensitive to chemicals, the facts of the case “did not establish a case or rare and extreme medical needs.”
The couple crossed swords with the authority in December when it was discovered they were still using well water for their daily needs even though they allegedly obeyed Sullivan’s 2008 order that they hook into the system.
Attorney Kathy Mauk, representing the authority, argued Monday that Donald Burket was not in compliance with the township ordinance.
The Burkets are mandated not only to hook into the system but also to use public water “for all human consumption in the residence,” the authority contends in court documents.
According to the authority, the water line that was extended into the Bedford Street residence ended at a basement sink. The rest of the house was still being served by a well.
The authority discovered the setup in December and obtained a court order to detach the well and provide water through the township system.
The Burket’s attorney, Frederick B. Gieg Jr., told Sullivan Monday that there were only two reasons to attach the Burket’s home to the township line: to help pay for the authority’s bond issue for the water facilities and to prevent well water from getting into township water lines.
The Burkets are paying the monthly tap-in fee and their well lines do not in any way interconnect to the township line, Gieg said.
“All he wants to do is use his own system,” Gieg said in explaining Mr. Burket’s side of the story.
Sullivan said it would be about two weeks before he will issue his ruling.
Source: Altoona Mirror.com
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This is what appears to be a very disturbing story. How fast our freedoms vanish.