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Residents oppose potential sale after board moves to terminate agreement with Aqua
Summary
After an evaluation found sanitary-assets values lower than expected, North Versailles commissioners recommended terminating an agreement with Aqua; multiple residents spoke during public comment opposing any sale of sanitary assets.
North Versailles Township commissioners announced Aug. 15 that they would recommend terminating a previously discussed agreement with Aqua after an evaluation showed the township’s sanitary assets were valued “much lower than expected,” President Mike Bivins told attendees.
The announcement came before a scheduled presentation by Aqua and PFM Consulting on the sanitary authority evaluation, which the board canceled after terminating the agreement. The commissioners said the results of the evaluation prompted the recommendation to the North Versailles Township Sanitary Board.
During the public-speak-out session, 14 residents addressed the board to oppose any sale of sanitary assets. Residents who spoke against a sale included Debbie Nowakowski, Sherry Urban, Sean Boros, Janice Sheehand, Jan Kropczynski, Jim Doyle, Lisa Didiano, Sharon Otoole, Maty Anna Babich, Cathy Dernorsel, Jack Dernorsel, James Palko, Dennis Brant Jr., and Beverly Koch.
Speakers raised concerns about losing local control of sewer assets, potential rate increases, and transparency of the evaluation process. The record lists these individuals as having spoken in opposition; no direct quotes were supplied in the minutes.
Next steps: the commissioners said they would recommend that the North Versailles Township Sanitary Board terminate the agreement with Aqua. The transcript does not record a formal vote on that recommendation at this meeting; the Sanitary Board will consider the matter as a separate body.
