Exeter Township SD discusses joining PUC evidentiary hearing on PA American Water rate request

Board members reviewed the PUC's notice of an in‑person evidentiary hearing related to PA American Water's proposed rate increase and the district's earlier complaint. Brian Fike described the administrative burden and potential costs and estimated the district's exposure at about $200,000 annually. "Like 200,000," Fike said when asked for a ballpark figure. Solicitor Sharon Montaigne said the district or the township would have to send an attorney to present evidence and that the attorney would present witnesses and testimony; she warned the commitment could require fact witnesses (including district staff) to attend.

Mont aigne told the board she had entered herself on the docket to monitor the process and stressed that if the district does not send evidence to the hearing, it likely will have no record to rebut the rate request. "If you don't send anybody, you're not submitting any evidence and they'll rule accordingly," she said. Montaigne also said some private parties submit only written comments and do not attend, but government parties generally must appear by counsel and can be called upon to present live testimony.

Board members discussed logistics and costs, including the possibility of coordinating representation with Exeter Township to share legal fees and to avoid sending multiple attorneys; one board member said he had contacted the township manager to discuss combining representation. Montaigne said that representing the district at the hearing involves presenting evidence and calling witnesses; she also said counsel may not be required to stay for all three hearing days if testimony is presented on the first day.

The committee agreed to gather more information about solicitor rates and to consider moving a formal authorization for the hearing to the Feb. 18 voting meeting to preserve timing for the PUC schedule.