WATSONTOWN — Borough Council members agreed Monday night to consider joining the Pennsylvania Municipal Power Agency, a new organization whose goal is to help member municipalities find ways to lower the cost of wholesale electricity.
Jeffrey Stonehill, Middletown borough manager, spoke to the members about the agency. He said many of the 35 municipalities that purchase electricity from AMP Ohio as part of the Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association consortium have decided to join forces and find ways to invest funds and make money. Pennsylvania law states that AMP Ohio cannot make investments on behalf of Pennsylvania member municipalities.
So far, 11 of the 35 members of the consortium have joined the power agency, which will be governed by a board of directors who will adopt bylaws and research investments.
Though he said there is no pressure on the borough to join, he said he hopes the members give the option serious consideration.
“This will give you a chance to make some money … not just spend it,” Stonehill said. “Adding things to our portfolio gives us options and will hopefully lower electric bills for our residents.”
The group’s goal is to have the first meeting of the board of directors by October. If Watsontown does decide to join the board, Stonehill said there is no financial commitment.
“Just because you are a member doesn’t mean you have to spend any money,” he said. “You can opt in or out of projects. The only commitment right now would be your time.”
Stonehill said he would like to have a decision from municipalities by the end of the summer.
The council also accepted several written reports, including ones from Police Chief Dennis Derr and Mark Burrows, chief of the Warrior Run Area Fire Department.
Derr said that in May, the department responded to 186 calls for service. Curtis M. Loudenslager, of Mill Hall, was hired as a full-time officer. Burrows reported that last month, there were 184 incidents with an estimated fire loss of $75,000.
In other business:
-- The council voted to purchase two trees for the cemetery to match the donation made by former councilman Robert Yannaccone. The trees will cost about $200.
-- The members voted to buy a Taser gun and a police bicycle for the police department. The bike will cost $938 and will be used for special events ands during regular shifts.
-- The members approved a request from the Watsontown Area Business Association to hold a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27.
-- The council awarded a $22,500 contract for a street sweeper to Penn-Hazle Equipment, of Hazleton.
-- Members voted to purchase a heat pump and air conditioner for the borough building from Buck’s Plumbing and Heating, of Watsontown, for $7,660.
-- Jerri Brouse is a freelance writer who lives in Lewisburg. E-mail comments to scoop@ptd.net.
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