Council eliminates water system sale to LCA as an option
By CORRINE DURDOCK
cdurdock@tnonline.com
Continuing to whittle down the options being considered by the Water Committee on its study of Emmaus' water and sewer system, Emmaus Council Monday night voted to eliminate the option of selling the water system to the Lehigh County Authority.
Council had previously eliminated a sale of the water system to private companies as an option.
This leaves three options, going to the Public Utility Commission for a rate increase, abandonment of services to outside clients, or establishing an Emmaus Utility Authority, still to be considered in order to fund the maintenance and repair costs of the system which staff have said will possibly cost in the millions over a 10-year period. The system's revenues have not covered the costs adequately over the past few years, said officials.
Councilwoman Susan Schmidt was reluctant to consider Councilman Brent Labenberg's motion of taking a sale to LCA off the table in Councilman Roger Whitcomb's absence. Schmidt said Whitcomb was a member of the Water Committee and she believes in following the committee process, which council has historically followed.
Council President Craig Neely said he also is a “stickler for process,” but “it is appropriate to move in this case without the process....we won't offend Roger...this is not blindsiding...since Roger knows how I stand on this issue.”
Councilwoman Joyce Marin and Schmidt voted in opposition to the motion to eliminate the sale to LCA. Councilmen Dennis Gouldy, Neely, Labenberg and Councilwoman Lee Ann Gilbert supported the motion. Whitcomb was absent.
The Water Committee will meet Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to discuss the other options.
cdurdock@tnonline.com
Continuing to whittle down the options being considered by the Water Committee on its study of Emmaus' water and sewer system, Emmaus Council Monday night voted to eliminate the option of selling the water system to the Lehigh County Authority.
Council had previously eliminated a sale of the water system to private companies as an option.
This leaves three options, going to the Public Utility Commission for a rate increase, abandonment of services to outside clients, or establishing an Emmaus Utility Authority, still to be considered in order to fund the maintenance and repair costs of the system which staff have said will possibly cost in the millions over a 10-year period. The system's revenues have not covered the costs adequately over the past few years, said officials.
Councilwoman Susan Schmidt was reluctant to consider Councilman Brent Labenberg's motion of taking a sale to LCA off the table in Councilman Roger Whitcomb's absence. Schmidt said Whitcomb was a member of the Water Committee and she believes in following the committee process, which council has historically followed.
Council President Craig Neely said he also is a “stickler for process,” but “it is appropriate to move in this case without the process....we won't offend Roger...this is not blindsiding...since Roger knows how I stand on this issue.”
Councilwoman Joyce Marin and Schmidt voted in opposition to the motion to eliminate the sale to LCA. Councilmen Dennis Gouldy, Neely, Labenberg and Councilwoman Lee Ann Gilbert supported the motion. Whitcomb was absent.
The Water Committee will meet Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to discuss the other options.
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