At recent public meetings and in the local media, much has been discussed about the pros and cons of Columbia Borough selling the assets of its current sewer system to the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority. At the May 27 Columbia Borough Council meeting, the matter was again discussed, and the final report of the borough's ad hoc wastewater management committee was presented.
In summary, the committee recommended "moving forward with an asset purchase by LASA."
(From the committee's report)
The committee's final report can be found HERE.
This blog will present further information (and opinion) on this matter over the next few days.
Those residents wanting to talk about LASA at the borough meeting waited patiently for that opportunity on Monday evening. After 2 hours they had a chance to voice their opinions, unfortunately the gavel dropped to cut off comments. At other meetings, residents have been permitted to ramble on and on about various topics. Council simply does not want to hear the truth. One member of council could not control her eye rolling and body language during public comments. She appeared to be annoyed. They are seated in that position to treat all citizens equally and with respect. Not every person is able to attend every meeting, so this could well be their only opportunity to be heard. I personally wish that I could get several people to attend and comment. Let council sit through 50 public comments. Several years ago ( I will look up the date and comment later) George McGinness was escorted out of a meeting because he refused to yield the floor, even though those in attendance pleaded with council to let him continue to speak. He was talking about the tax increase. Again, council did not want to hear it. I have the news article written by Tom Knapp about this particular meeting.
ReplyDeleteAccording to my records, I believe the meeting where Mr. McGinness was escorted out by the police, was on December 9, 2002.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that info.
DeleteIf you pay a sewer bill in Columbia, the outcome of the LASA offer will directly effect you. It's time to educate yourself about this situation and let your opinion be heard. Talk to your neighbors about it and encourage them to attend upcoming meetings during this crucial time.
ReplyDeleteNot only did the ad hoc commitee reccomend LASA , but so did several consultants who the council hired to advise them which option to choose. Now its just a matter of will council listen to these experts & do what's right for the customers of Cola sewer, or will they throw away common sense ,& make a decision that further sinks this town into despair.
ReplyDeleteI'm approaching retirement age and if the decision is made to keep the current sewer operation in place, I will put my property on the market. Someone can buy it and rent it. I will look to live in West Hempfield. The taxes and sewer bills will simply be too high for someone on social security. Soon thereafter Columbia will be a borough of rental properties. Many good projects are finally unfolding here, it will be sad if the ship sinks now.
ReplyDeleteWhere the hell are you at. The borough has so many section 8"s its been over! So, why not keep the sewer plant, it still makes money!
ReplyDeleteIf it makes money, why are we borrowing $12m to upgrade it. And if it is making money, why are my rates so high
ReplyDelete