Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority resumed its in-person monthly meetings March 18 in the public meeting room of the CWSA building, 3213 MacArthur Road, Whitehall. Social distancing protocols were in place.

Manager Dave Harleman reported the Eberhart Road pump station project was successfully completed Feb. 11 with training done Feb. 12. Everything is working great, it was reported.

Harleman also requested board authorization to join a joint bid between CWSA and Salisbury Township. This is being bid by Keystone Consulting Engineers to have 14 main segments lined manhole to manhole. The sewer mains to be lined are where known problems exist. The estimated cost, based on 2019 joint bid costs, is approximately $115,000. The motion to approve was unanimously approved by the board.

An email on file from Frank Clark on behalf of the township was read, which stated a $100,000 grant was received for the Summit Prospects sewer project. However, residents were not in favor of the installation of a public sewer as existing systems were functioning well.

Due to economic uncertainty and not wanting to burden local residents, the entire project was postponed. The county was notified and the grant was disbursed elsewhere. This will not prohibit the township from seeking these types of grants in the future.

After a lengthy discussion and visual presentation, a civil engineer representing a local Whitehall property owner gained approval for a diagonal sewer connection from a new construction at 760 Sixth St. to a manhole on Maple Street.

Also at the meeting, Matt Harleman announced a notice of award for the generator contract states the contract was sent to Diefenderfer Electrical Contractors for signature. This is an emergency repair at a cost of $98,600.

The monthly administrative reports for finances and invoices listed for payment were accepted and approved.

A motion to approve the sanitary sewer service agreement secured by CWSA attorneys for a property at 471 Catasauqua Ave. was approved.