Middletown supervisors adopt resolution opposing sale of Bucks County sewer system to Aqua Pennsylvania
August 16, 2022 | Middletown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
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The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Aug. 15 adopted resolution 22-19 formally opposing the proposed sale of the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (BCWSA) sewer assets to Aqua Pennsylvania.
Township staff told the board the authority had given Aqua exclusive negotiating rights and that the anticipated purchase price is about $1,100,000,000. Staff and several supervisors raised concerns about the speed and transparency of the negotiation process and the potential impact on township residents’ rates and local oversight.
Chair (unnamed in transcript) moved for adoption after staff summarized recent municipal outreach and meetings involving BCWSA leadership and Aqua. The motion was seconded and carried 5-0.
During public comment, resident Ray Post told the board he attended recent public meetings and open houses and urged the township to oppose the sale, saying the county is not facing a fiscal emergency that would require such a sale. Post and other commenters cited reporting and analyses they said show Aqua customers can face substantially higher bills; Post referenced news reports and analyses estimating increases in some places in the range of roughly 80–85 percent compared with prior local rates.
Township staff noted municipal associations and grassroots groups have been active on the issue and that a number of nearby municipalities are considering or have adopted similar opposition resolutions. The board did not outline any binding action beyond the adopted township resolution; staff said they will continue to monitor county-level actions and meetings that include presentations by BCWSA and Aqua.
The board’s adopted resolution states the township opposes transferring BCWSA assets to a private, for‑profit utility. The resolution’s text is recorded in the meeting packet for public review. The board voted to carry the resolution 5-0.
Next steps cited by staff include continued monitoring of county proceedings and participation in municipal outreach; no county-level decision was recorded at the meeting.
Township staff told the board the authority had given Aqua exclusive negotiating rights and that the anticipated purchase price is about $1,100,000,000. Staff and several supervisors raised concerns about the speed and transparency of the negotiation process and the potential impact on township residents’ rates and local oversight.
Chair (unnamed in transcript) moved for adoption after staff summarized recent municipal outreach and meetings involving BCWSA leadership and Aqua. The motion was seconded and carried 5-0.
During public comment, resident Ray Post told the board he attended recent public meetings and open houses and urged the township to oppose the sale, saying the county is not facing a fiscal emergency that would require such a sale. Post and other commenters cited reporting and analyses they said show Aqua customers can face substantially higher bills; Post referenced news reports and analyses estimating increases in some places in the range of roughly 80–85 percent compared with prior local rates.
Township staff noted municipal associations and grassroots groups have been active on the issue and that a number of nearby municipalities are considering or have adopted similar opposition resolutions. The board did not outline any binding action beyond the adopted township resolution; staff said they will continue to monitor county-level actions and meetings that include presentations by BCWSA and Aqua.
The board’s adopted resolution states the township opposes transferring BCWSA assets to a private, for‑profit utility. The resolution’s text is recorded in the meeting packet for public review. The board voted to carry the resolution 5-0.
Next steps cited by staff include continued monitoring of county proceedings and participation in municipal outreach; no county-level decision was recorded at the meeting.
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