Center and Summit Townships have jointly filled an appeal against the sale of the Butler Area Sewer Authority due to potential of rate increases from the sale.
Both townships have residents that are Butler Area Sewer Authority members, but both municipalities will not be receiving any funding from the sale of BASA to Pennsylvania American Water.
Michael Gallagher is the solicitor for both Center and Summit and he believes that the appeal can prevent the sale due to a previous case in Commonwealth Court.
He said there is previous precedent when the PUC approved the sale of another sewer system in southeastern PA, but a consumer advocacy group filed an appeal and the Commonwealth Court reversed the PUC’s decision.
“Based on that 3-2 decision, it is our hope and our anticipation that the Commonwealth Court would overturn the decision,” Gallagher said. “And it’s not a done deal until the Commonwealth Court speaks.”
If Butler Township and Butler City close the sale and the case is overturned by the higher courts, according to Gallagher the money would have to be returned. The appeal could take six months or longer before a decision is made.
