Duane L. Howard

The meeting included the reorganization of the Municipal Authority for the year 2026, including the election of officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer). Appointments were confirmed for the Solicitor (Picardi Philips & Ottaviano), Engineer (Entech Engineering), and Auditor (Cherry Bekaert), along with the establishment of Administrative, Financial, Wastewater Plant & System Operation & Maintenance, and Water Plant & System Operation & Maintenance committees. The treasurer's report for the prior month was approved, and authorization was granted to file a lien for non-payment of sewer and water charges. Operational reports detailed activities at the sewer and water plants. The Board authorized the execution of an engagement letter with Cherry Bekaert for the 2025 audit. Pay rates for a full-time operator and the office secretary were established. Pay applications for the Water Storage Tank Project were approved, and the project was confirmed as placed in service. The Board also authorized the Solicitor to file a lien and discussed pursuing grant monies. Finally, a conditional employment offer was extended to a candidate for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator and Water System Operator, pending satisfactory background and drug checks.

The regular meeting addressed several operational items. The board approved the minutes from the meetings held on December 8, 2025, December 15, 2025, and December 29, 2025, with corrections, and the minutes from January 5, 2026, as presented. Key reports included the police department report for December 2025, noting the upcoming retirement of Chief Ray Serafin, and the road department report, leading to a motion to engage LTL Consultants for a feasibility study regarding the Main Street road project, considering drainage and guiderail concerns. The DEP approved the GP-11 permit for Yoder Road bridge repairs. The board appointed Michael Meredith and Brian Colon, Jr. as Fire Police for 2026 and reviewed the Ambulance Chief's report. Several sanitation, rubbish accumulation, and inoperable vehicle code violations were discussed for various properties, including scheduling a hearing for the Stuart Synder property and noting progress on the Bertolami property fine. The board also discussed next steps for terminating a ground lease with Harold Hetrick and agreed to work with the solicitor on developing a franchise agreement with Kinetic for fiber optic services. They also reviewed financial reports, approved paying bills and salaries, and addressed a Stormwater Controls Agreement from Daniel Laudenslayer.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the adoption of Ordinance #396, which amended traffic regulations by designating the intersection of Spook Lane and Oley Furnace Road as a three-way stop. The Board authorized the removal of several large dead trees along Moravian School Road. Several property maintenance violations concerning sanitation, rubbish accumulation, and inoperable vehicles were addressed for properties on Mill Road and Carriage Circle. The Board also exonerated specific individuals from collecting 2022 through 2025 per capita taxes. Furthermore, the 2026 draft budget was reviewed and adopted. The Supervisors authorized the post-enactment legal advertisement for recently approved zoning and land development ordinances. Decisions were made regarding the upgrading of information systems, including the purchase of laptops and SharePoint access for Supervisors. Finally, the financial report was accepted, bills and salaries were authorized for payment, and a transfer of funds was approved from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund for future bridge projects.

The regular meeting involved the approval of the treasurers report, which detailed balances for the Sewer Fund and Water Fund accounts. Operational reports were given for the sewer plant, noting repairs needed for heat trace and the digester drain, and for the water plant, detailing pumping volume and hydrant flushing. Key actions included the adoption of resolutions to increase sewer and water rates effective January 1, 2026, and the adoption of the 2026 budgets for both systems. Updates were provided on several infrastructure items, including a water main replacement consideration near Well #1, repair of a heater thermostat at pump house #3, and progress on the new water storage tank project. The Authority also approved Pay Application #13 for the Water Storage Tank Project and authorized payment for numerous sewer and water system bills.

The meeting included discussion of the treasurer's report, past due bill accounts, and reports on the operation of the sewer and water plants. The committee reports covered administrative matters, finance, wastewater plant updates, and water plant operations, including an estimate for generator transfer switch replacement. Updates were provided on collection system extensions, the water storage tank project, and a request to extend public sewer service. The SCADA/water control system upgrade status was reviewed, and water issues on St. Paulia Lane were discussed. The connection to the public water system for Dennis Hoshall was addressed. Various bills for the sewer and water systems were presented and approved for payment.