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I attended the March 20 meeting of Harveys Lake Borough Council because of the rumors about council members making decisions regarding our sewer system and switching to Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority.

My concern is based on the fact the borough has already taken steps to ensure our sewer and run-off systems have been separated and that we are ahead of the future requirements.

I, along with other residents of Harveys Lake, raised several questions about the impact of this change. At the time I raised my concerns, council President Clarence Hogan said there would not be a vote at this time. Many other residents, after hearing that a vote would not be occurring, saved their questions and comments for a future date.

Unfortunately, to everyone’s shock including several council members, a motion was made to vote on the WVSA proposal.

A 3-3 vote resulted with the Mayor Carole Samson breaking the tie in favor of agreeing to sign with the WVSA.

Councilman Thomas Kehler said that at the work session prior to this meeting the borough’s engineer advised the council to wait at least a year before voting. Technically, the requirements for this plan does not go into effect until 2020.

We elect government officials to work for the people. Three of our council members and the mayor have decided to look at their own agendas and ignore the majority. Why would we need to pay an additional $3-$4.50 a month for something that we already have in place and that we do not need to do right at this time?

If our council and mayor had the best interest of our community in mind, they would have waited until more information was gathered and presented it to the residents in a public forum. The way this decision occurred was not democratic to say the least.

Shame on Hogan, Samson, Daniel Blaine and Chad Flack.

It is clear you do not have the residents of Harveys Lake in your best interest.

Jack Davis

Life-Long Harveys Lake Resident

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