The time has come to consider a final decision on LASA. It's not an exaggeration to say that the future solvency of the borough may be at stake. Simply put, the ad hoc committee's final report recommends selling Columbia Borough's sewer system assets to the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (LASA). I hope the council will abide by the findings of the report - which it commissioned - and vote for the sale. I hope any council person voting against it will explain why, publicly. I don't understand why the council would commission a report only to ignore it (if that, in fact, proves to be the case). Doing so would be a waste of taxpayers' money.
I won't rehash all the facts and figures here. That information is contained in the final report, which I posted previously HERE.
I won't rehash all the facts and figures here. That information is contained in the final report, which I posted previously HERE.
In regard to rates, we are competing with LASA, which comprises seven other surrounding municipalities. This is a competition we cannot win and which may pull us under financially.
The borough's debt, the empty storefronts, the property taxes that continue to go up and up and up are evidence enough of the need to regionalize and share costs. Selling to LASA could be the beginning of that process. Columbia can't continue to bind itself to yesterday's ideas in the foolish and outdated belief that we are self-sufficient. Let's face it: it's not the same town it was even 50 years ago.
The borough's debt, the empty storefronts, the property taxes that continue to go up and up and up are evidence enough of the need to regionalize and share costs. Selling to LASA could be the beginning of that process. Columbia can't continue to bind itself to yesterday's ideas in the foolish and outdated belief that we are self-sufficient. Let's face it: it's not the same town it was even 50 years ago.
Regionalizing does not mean losing our identity. We're talking about selling a sewer plant. That's all. We'll still have our rich history. Nothing can take that away.
We should cherish our history but look to the future. We are now at a crossroads, and the outcome of this decision will affect generations to come. Let's affect them positively. Let this be the point where we turned things around for Columbia.
We should cherish our history but look to the future. We are now at a crossroads, and the outcome of this decision will affect generations to come. Let's affect them positively. Let this be the point where we turned things around for Columbia.
With all that in mind, I, a lifelong Columbia resident, respectfully ask council to do the right thing. Look to the future. Sell the plant.
(Citizens can make their voices heard at the Municipal Authority meeting this coming Thursday, June 19 at 4:30 p.m., when a vote by the Authority on the LASA sale is expected to take place.
Citizens may also speak at the Committee of the Whole meeting this coming Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m., when a vote might take place.
Both meetings will be held at the Borough Office, 308 Locust Street.)
(Citizens can make their voices heard at the Municipal Authority meeting this coming Thursday, June 19 at 4:30 p.m., when a vote by the Authority on the LASA sale is expected to take place.
Citizens may also speak at the Committee of the Whole meeting this coming Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m., when a vote might take place.
Both meetings will be held at the Borough Office, 308 Locust Street.)
