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No formal offers made for Mt. Jewett water system |
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Written by Publisher
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Friday, 19 June 2009 |
MT. JEWETT – Two private companies have yet to make formal offers to acquire the Mt. Jewett public water system.
By Ted Lutz
Republican Staff
MT. JEWETT – Two private companies have yet to make formal offers to acquire the Mt. Jewett public water system.
Pennsylvania American Water and Aqua America previously expressed an interest in taking over the Mt. Jewett system, which now is managed by the volunteer Mt. Jewett Borough Water Authority.
Both private companies have toured the Mt. Jewett water facilities and have looked at various documents, including financial statements. But the private companies have yet to come forward with formal offers, according to discussion Thursday at the monthly meeting of the water authority.
Pennsylvania American Water, which serves Kane, toured the Mt. Jewett water system about two months ago, it was pointed out. Aqua representatives came to town about three weeks ago to look at the system.
The seven-member authority adamantly opposes the sale of the public system to a private company. However, authority members have taken part in tours with representatives of the private companies and have answered questions. The authority also has provided extensive information to the private companies.
According to Christine Park, secretary for the authority, the private companies have not made any formal proposals to acquire the public water system.
In other business at the 74-minute meeting at the borough building, the authority:
•Voted 5-0 to accept the resignation of Norm Johnson as a member of the authority. Chairman Jim Troutman and board members Mike Park, Scott Sanders, Roger Roesch and Mike Mix voted to accept the resignation. Erik Olsson, also a board member, did not attend the meeting.
In a letter to the authority, Johnson said he is resigning due to "personal issues" and a "change in employment."
"I have enjoyed the many years that I have served on the board," Johnson said in his letter.
•Voted 5-0 to ask the Mt. Jewett Borough Council to appoint Bruce Sitler to replace Johnson as a board member. Sitler attended Thursday's meeting as an observer.
A nine-year resident of Mt. Jewett, Sitler resides at 7 Dayton St. with his wife, Laurie.
He is a 1989 graduate of Smethport High School. Sitler is employed as a professional photographer with Interstate Studio in Bradford.
•Discussed plans to possibly place concrete barriers to protect a small building at the water treatment plant off Route 6 east of Mt. Jewett.
A recent rainstorm caused a creek to overflow and flood the "backwash" building.
Troutman said it was "just like a river" when the stream overflowed and caused water to run on both sides of the building.
•Received notice that Utility Service has completed cleaning at the 250,000-gallon water storage tank on High Street. The tank was drained for the cleaning job.
The company also made a "visual inspection" of the adjacent 100,000-gallon water storage tank.
•Discussed a proposal to clean the "green sand" filters at the treatment plant. The filters are used for water pumped from six wells at the site. The wells supply water during the "dry" season when the natural spring is not capable of providing a sufficient water supply. Brett Morgan, water plant operator, said the spring still is in service at this time.
•Received notice that a new fire hydrant will be installed at McClellan Avenue and Main Street.
•Held a 33-minute executive session to discuss personnel.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 )
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