During Thursday night’s meeting, Washington Township’s reorganized board of supervisors discussed the possibility of rescinding the township’s Act 537 plan update approved in November 2009.

                Both supervisors who voted to approve the plan, Michael Krestynick and David Moyer, had terms that expired on December 31, 2009. Tonia Bauer, currently serving as supervisor chairperson, had voted against approval of the plan in November.

                According the Department of Environmental Protection web site, Pennsylvania Act 537 requires that all municipalities statewide submit a written plan for approval before expanding or altering existing sewage systems.

                In August 2009, Stuart Rosenthal of the professional engineering consulting firm Gilmore and Associates gave an overview of the update during a regular Board of Supervisors meeting. The new plan consists of a $4.7 million expansion, including the WTMA treatment plant located on Niantic Road, the Swamp Creek Pumping Station, and the possible purchase of additional capacity from Bally Borough.

                Close to 50 residents had attended the November meeting, many to voice opposition to the submission of an expansion plan while the authority struggles to repay existing debt.

                The two new township supervisors, James Roma and Ernest Gehman, gathered along with Supervisor Chairperson Bauer on January 4, 2010 for an annual organizational meeting. During that meeting, Daniel Becker, Esquire, was appointed as township solicitor and was subsequently asked to explore the possibility of rescinding the ACT 537 plan, which has been submitted to DEP for review.

                Becker reported Thursday night that the board could, in fact, rescind the plan by passing a resolution to that effect. Becker further reminded supervisors that some costs could be incurred through the process of resubmitting the plan.

                “But we’re talking millions of dollars here, additional costs to the township at a time when we don’t know if that’s the best bet,” Supervisor James Roma stated.

                Roma proceeded to ask for a motion to rescind the plan but received no second. After discussion, supervisors stated they would allow the township engineering firm and solicitor to more thoroughly review the plan before making the decision next month.