A handful of meetings will be held this week giving residents a chance to learn more about the potential sale of the Butler Area Sewer Authority.
Two meetings will be held tomorrow at St. Peter’s Parish Hall at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. And then another two will be held Thursday at the Butler Township Municipal Building, also at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Representatives from PA American Water will be there along with local officials including Butler City Mayor Bob Dandoy.
“There are many things that motivate what we’re doing. But primarily, and certainly for me, was this is going to be a massive improvement in the infrastructure for the facility and services that we’re able to give,” Dandoy said.
Officials say the improvements are necessary—citing an aging infrastructure. Around 50 percent of sewer lines serviced by BASA are more than 50 years old. Officials also estimate that 20 percent of the lines are in between 85 and 100 years old.
Pennsylvania American Water offered $231.5 million to acquire the Butler Area Sewer Authority.
“We’ve done our due diligence. We’ve asked other communities who have went through this process. We spent months on our end really working through what this would mean for our communities,” Butler Township Commissioner Dave Zarnick said.
Each local official noted that they believe Pennsylvania American Water has been good to their word in other communities. They expect it will be the same here.
“They’re investing $75 million of their own money in improvements over the span of five years,” Dandoy said. He also added that a committee will be formed that will help advise on projects for Pennsylvania American Water.