At its Dec. 15 meeting, Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority approved its 2023 budget, which includes a 10% increase. Residents will see this in their April 2023 quarterly bill. The average increase will be about $5 per month per home.

The major factor in this increase is the KISS (Klein Island Sewer System) project, as associated costs are to be reimbursed through existing intermunicipal agreements and by city customers.

UGI Senior Project Manager Brianan Roeder spoke before the board regarding UGI’s requirement to install a new gas line on Parkway Alley near Jordan Circle. The new line will run parallel to an existing line, as well as a CWSA sewer line. This is required for the replacement of an exposed gas line across the Jordan Creek. The board will review this as the final project plan is drawn up.

Justin Strahorn, W.B. Homes project manager, presented his request to use a 30-foot-wide CWSA easement to tie in to the sewer for a new development. This development will have 115 homes between Rural Road and Brynwood Drive near Fellowship Community.

CWSA General Manager Matt Harleman mentioned the easement was put in place in 1992 for future use and, to date, has not been used. The board suggested a minimum of two tie-ins.

This will be reviewed again as the final project plan is completed and approved.

Harleman reported the CWSA building’s new roof has been completed. T&M Associates will do a final inspection before the invoice is paid.

Motions were approved for a Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System revision to the Minimal Municipal Obligation group work sheet, $100 donation to the Lehigh Valley chapter of the National Football Foundation, a source reduction plan draft drawn up by Harleman and the changing of the CWSA monthly board meeting from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Board members approved 2023 appointments for solicitor Davison and McCarthy Law Firm, engineer firm T&M Engineering and accountant Buckno Lisicky and Company. The solicitor fee will increase 9% in 2023. The others will remain the same.