Heeding a call from fellow municipalities in the county, Richland Township has signed on to a resolution that is designed to create a new entity, toward protecting water and sewer ratepayers from significant price increases that are understood to result from private takeovers of public water and sewer systems.
The action was taken as a unanimous vote of the board of supervisors at its April 10 meeting.
Richland Township officials were among those who were especially active in the successful, multi-municipality effort mounted last year against a proposed sale of Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority’s sewer system to Aqua Pennsylvania. Now, in a proactive move, the township aims to be a part of a new consortium being organized by the Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO).
The new entity is to especially target state legislation deemed as troublesome, including but not limited to the already-passed Act 12, by working “toward amending Act 12, and opposing future water and sewer infrastructure legislation that would negatively impact Bucks County ratepayers and township residents.”
The new consortium is to be independent of both BCATO and the Bucks County (managers) Consortium. In particular, it is to “keep members informed about legislative challenges and opportunities for calls to action.” An annual fee of $250 per township is to be levied toward offsetting costs. By signing on to the resolution, Richland agrees to “consider” any further proposed costs.
The resolution calls for the amending of Act 12 of 2016, which “permits private, for profit utilities to purchase water and sewer assets for a far greater amount than was permitted before its adoption.” It adds the need for opposition to other legislation, that is being supported by those private utilities, that would “impose burdens on public water authorities that are not imposed on private utilities, putting them at a competitive disadvantage.”
To start, Doylestown Borough is to act as the lead agency for the new consortium, with its borough manager, subject to approval of a majority of the members, entering into contracts to retain appropriate experts, consultants, and legal counsel as are deemed needed. An alternative lead agency could be selected by a majority of the members.
The new consortium is to meet “at least quarterly,” and at its first meeting, adopt bylaws, including the election of officers. It is to sunset on May 1, 2026, unless terminated earlier, or extended, by a majority vote of the members.
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