Little transpired at the Oct. 14 Water Authority meeting aside from some timber sales, but Executive Director Stephen Repasch shared news of a recent change in the board membership.

Longtime Board member Vaughn Gower resigned Sept. 10, having served since being appointed by Mayor John Callahan to replace David DiGiancinto in March of 2007. Gower was one of the board’s financial experts who helped negotiate some of the authority’s most significant accomplishments during his tenure, including the Atlantic Wind Energy License and lease, the PennEast Pipeline license agreement, the TNC Conservation agreement, the Working Woodlands carbon credit program and the 2014 water system debt refinancing

Vaughn also served as the authority board chair for two years in 2013 and 2014. Gower had been the CFO of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network before retiring. Repasch said Gower has left the authority financially and administratively stronger, while Gower himself said, “My time on the Authority Board was very rewarding. However after over 14 years it’s time for new energy and ideas.”

Gower is now fully retired.

His replacement, Carlos Almeida, was appointed to the board by Mayor Robert Donchez Sept. 21. Almeida comes to the authority with a financial background, having spent 34 years in financial management with Air Products and Chemicals Inc. before retiring in 2013. Carlos was born in 1955 in Portugal. Following an undergraduate degree in accounting and business admin in Portugal, Carlos received an MBA from Lehigh University in 1979.

The next meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at city hall.