Water authority employees to remain on board of directors
JEFFERSON – Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority officials decided Thursday that two board members who also work for the authority will remain on the board. Tim Faddis and Gary Filbey both are union employees of the authority and serve on the board of directors.
Jefferson Borough Council appointed Faddis last week, while Filbey has served as a board member since the Jefferson Township supervisors appointed him in 2000. Questions have arisen as to the legality of having two union employees serving as board members.
The board agreed that it was not up to the authority to decide the legality of the issue and handed the matter over to borough and township officials, who have deemed their appointments as proper.
“We are standing by the township’s decision,” said Joseph Simatic, the authority’s general manager.
In another matter, two of the Georges Township supervisors asked the board to install new water lines this spring.
Mike Bartock and Frank Churby said the village of Continental 3 has old lines that need to be replaced.
“The lines are very bad and need updated,” said Bartock, citing low water pressure in the area.
Bartock said the township is willing to supply a 6-inch water line, and the authority would be responsible for providing an 8-inch line if the authority determined one was needed in certain areas.
The project would take two years to complete and would begin this spring if the authority’s engineer approves the township’s plans.
Bartock said the project would cost the township $100,000 to $150,000 the first year and would be paid for by Community Development Block Grant funding. The $125,000 yearly grant is based upon population.
Simatic approved of the project and said he would be in contact with the township’s engineer.
Simatic said 4,000 feet of 8-inch water line might need to be installed along Walnut Hill Road in order to comply with safety codes for fire plugs.
In addition, the authority voted to write off $16,933.33 in unpaid bills.
However, the treasurer said the authority will keep the records on file, and will try to collect the money. The authority was able to collect about $700 of the $14,000 it wrote off last year.