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Authority official disputes newspaper account of water-asset transfer timetable
Summary
A representative of the municipal water authority said the authority never received a signed copy of a November resolution and disputed newspaper claims that the authority had been given 30 days to transfer water assets to the city.
A representative of the city authority that oversees local water assets told Lock Haven City Council during public comment that the authority never received a signed copy of a November resolution and denied claims that the authority was given 30 days to transfer assets to the city. The representative said newspaper reporting that authority members were “dragging their feet” and that a 30-day deadline existed was inaccurate.
The authority representative said the authority’s solicitor received a draft transfer agreement from the city’s counsel in September 2024 but that the authority did not receive the council-approved transfer agreement until February 2025 alongside a new resolution that does include a 30-day timeframe. “That resolution does contain a 30 day time frame,” the speaker said, adding the authority had received no prior guidance from the city on how to accomplish a transfer.
Why it matters: transfer of water assets is a complex legal and operational process that affects service, billing and capital responsibilities. The public exchange in council chambers highlights gaps in written communication between the municipal authority and city officials and demonstrates the limits of each body’s current coordination.
Council members and members of the public asked for clarification about past communications and a paper trail. A council member said they remembered seeing a document that referenced a 30‑day period but did not have it available at the meeting. The authority representative urged re‑establishing in‑person committee meetings and better direct communication to reduce animosity and resolve issues more quickly.
The authority representative also addressed costs and reimbursements tied to a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) filing, saying the city had paid $293,664.22 to date and had reimbursed the authority for $148,635.00; the speaker characterized the timing and documentation of those reimbursements as unclear. The representative repeated that the authority did not resist a city takeover and recognized the city’s statutory ability to assume ownership, but asked for clearer, direct communication on deadlines and procedures.
No formal council action on the transfer was recorded during public comment. Several council members said they would attempt to locate prior correspondence and suggested re‑starting the committee that had been discussing consolidation of the two systems.
The public comment segment closed with council and authority members agreeing to pursue meetings and clarify outstanding paperwork.
Ending: The council did not take a vote on transfer authority during the meeting; the exchange was recorded as public comment and a status update from the authority representative. Council members indicated they would follow up on the communication record and consider reestablishing committee meetings to move the process forward.
