Westmoreland water, sewer authority meet remotely as part of pandemic protocol

Low-interest rates expected to be set in response to the drastic stock market decline could be a boon to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County.

Board members, who met by phone Wednesday as part of an unusual meeting amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, approved the refinancing of up to $50 million in debt that could result in major savings expected to infuse as much as $4 million into the agency’s coffers.

“We won’t get a final (interest) rate until May, so the savings are not entirely known because of the changing market,” said authority Solicitor Scott Avolio.

Wednesday’s public meeting was based from the authority’s headquarters building in New Stanton, but only attended in person by Michael Kukura, the agency’s manager, and administrative assistant Pam Bocan. Board members and staff participated by phone.

Public participation was allowed although no one appeared to address the board or watch the meeting.

Board Chairman Randy Roadman said the remote meeting was part of the authority’s ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I know the management team is putting things in place to ensure the safety of our employees and the public in this difficult time. Just stay healthy,” Roadman said.

Despite the unique circumstances, board members quickly moved through a 151-page agenda in which contracts were awarded to buy supplies and materials such as valves, pipes, parts for water meters, iron fittings and the purchase of 23 replacement vehicles.

Those items are necessary to ensure daily operations of the authority that sells water to more than 121,000 customers in five counties and provides sewer service to more than 26,000 homes and businesses in the region.

Kukura said daily authority operations will not be impacted by the pandemic response. All pending shutoffs of water because of nonpayments have been indefinitely suspended, he said.

“We want to keep sanitary conditions, allow people to wash and take care of things like that,” Kukura said.

He also said the virus poses no threat to the water supply.

“We’d like to put customers fears and any concerns to rest, treatment techniques used in the water industry in this day and age, including the disinfection with chlorine is adequate to treat your water and is taking care inactivating those viruses,” Kukura said. “There is no issue with your drinking water. It’s definitely your best bet.”