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Resident urges Middletown supervisors to oppose sale of Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority
Summary
At the March 5 meeting, resident Tom Tostee asked the board to pass a resolution opposing a possible sale of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority to ACWA, warning of higher rates, reduced transparency and job losses; board members said the county commissioners would have a role and pledged to look into the authoritys legal structure.
A local resident told the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on March 5 that residents should oppose a prospective sale of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) to ACWA, urging the township to send a resolution to the county commissioners.
Tom Tostee of Oxford Drive told the board he has been contacting multiple municipalities to build opposition. He said privatization "usually" results in higher rates, worse service and job losses and cited a notice from Limerick Township showing sample customer increases if a private operator took over. He named Ben Jones as the BCWSA chief executive officer and said board member email addresses were not available in the authoritys materials.
Board members asked follow-up questions about why the authority would sell and whether a municipality could block such a sale. Officials clarified that the Bucks County Board of Commissioners would likely need to sign off on any sale and that BCWSA operates as a separate authority; the board committed to researching the legal authority and options and encouraged residents to contact county commissioners.
No formal township resolution or vote on the issue was recorded at the March 5 meeting.
