DUBOIS – Plans for Sandy Township and DuBois City to form a joint municipal authority are “effectively dead,” announced Supervisor Kevin Salandra at Monday night’s township meeting.
The authority was recently proposed in an effort to remedy costs Sandy Township has been facing from the operations of its water and sewer systems.
The municipalities had plans to merge ownership of their WASS under an independent authority, which would’ve had appointed members.
Additionally, if Sandy Township and DuBois City were successful, township officials had plans to extend authority membership to Falls Creek and Sykesville officials.
According to published GANT News reports, the previous plan consisted of either selling the WASS to DuBois City or Aqua PA for $12 million.
However, it was learned Aqua PA had plans to increase rates and to purchase water from DuBois City. Their plans also included paying the city to manage the township’s sewage.
Salandra read a statement from the joint committee. It indicated that members had studied the feasibility of a joint authority and reached a unanimous decision.
It went on to explain that the costs involved would dramatically increase bills for WASS customers in both Sandy Township and DuBois City.
The supervisors subsequently approved the committee’s new goal to establish an affordable, long-term agreement that would allow the township to retain ownership of its WASS.
It was noted that this would require approval from the Pennsylvania Utility Commission. Also, exact rates would be pending completion of DuBois City’s Act 537 plan.
The supervisors also voted to move Trick-or-Treat night to Saturday, Oct. 27. It will take place from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., following the parade.