Gilpin supervisors authorize outreach to MAWC, other systems over township authority

Gilpin Township supervisors voted to authorize township officials to reach out to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) and other local water and sewer systems to solicit proposals related to the possible dissolvement or transfer of the Gilpin Township Municipal Authority.

Chair proposed the measure after supervisors described an authority budget that would require higher rates and at least two staff to operate. The board discussed whether the township could maintain the authority in‑house but concluded sustaining operations with minimal staff would be impractical. As the chair put it, "So So do we wanna entertain a motion to authorize necessary officials to reach out to MAWC and other local systems to entertain potential offers for the water and sewer systems." The motion, recorded as coming from Chris and seconded by Kevin in the meeting record, carried after a brief discussion.

Supporters of the motion said outreach could identify options ranging from interim maintenance agreements to full transfer, and they asked staff and the solicitor to coordinate contacts. Several supervisors warned the authority’s lack of employees and limited lead time make an in‑house takeover infeasible; the board asked officials to evaluate proposals and report back at upcoming meetings.