MAWC approves upgraded security at New Stanton campus

The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County will spend about $350,000 to upgrade security at its New Stanton headquarters.

Officials announced the plan last week that includes upgraded surveillance cameras and a gate to prevent unsupervised access to the water and sewer agency’s garages and warehouse.

“Over the years we’ve had some minor security issues, but nothing crazy,” authority business manager Brian Hohman said. “There are millions of dollars of materials sitting there, so this is mainly for after-hours protection.”

The authority’s large garage and warehouse structures, which house the agency’s vehicles along with pipes, valves, hydrants and other materials, will be gated. New key fobs for staff use will be installed throughout the complex, including the main office building at the front of the campus for administrative staff and customer service personnel.

Hohman said it’s the first major security upgrade since the building was erected in 2008.

Those upgrades are expected be completed in two phases. The first phase, budgeted for $250,000, includes the purchase and installation of security cameras and a gate. Work is expected to be completed in about two months. A second phase will be completed at a later date, Hohman said.

The public will continue to be able make in-person payments at drive-thru customer service windows.

Public access to administrative offices has been largely restricted since 2020.