The annual Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority prior year review was held May 20. The insurance representative, accountant, solicitor and engineer for CWSA gave a brief review of 2020 during the meeting.

Paul Pugielli, with Brown and Brown Insurance, spoke about the market trends and the impact on rates. Trends affecting increases include COVID-19 claims and building material costs.

Some businesses in the area will see an increase of approximately 11 percent. However, due to CWSA’s good financial status and a decrease in workers’ compensation claims, CWSA can expect an approximate 1.4-percent insurance increase.

Public accountant Jeff Bobeck, with Buckno Lisicky & Company, gave a financial review, focused on the pending 2020 audit. This audit completion will be delayed for a few more months due to pension data not being reported. CWSA is on solid financial ground.

Attorney Andrew Schantz presented a legal review, saying currently there was not a lot going on with CWSA in the legal area, which is a good sign. There are no pending lawsuits.

Brian Lee, with T & M Associates, gave an engineering review, which included an update on the completed Eberhart pump station project and the upcoming Pennsylvania Department of Transportation-required work for the Northampton-Cementon Bridge replacement project.

In non-annual reporting news, Brian Ritter, with Jena Engineering, represented a client at 395 Mickley Road, where a new single-family residence is to be built. Currently, the sewer line does not extend to the property frontage. The original proposal was to extend the existing street line 10 feet to enable tie-in. Concerns were expressed about future subdivisions. The recommendation is to extend the line 20 feet and put a subdivision restriction on the owner’s deed.

Matt Harleman introduced himself as the new CWSA general manager as of November 2020. Harleman is a Penn State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering.

He replaced retiring Dave Harleman, who was thanked and applauded for his tenure.