Sewer sale vetting process continues

TOWAMENCIN >> No decisions are quite ready yet, but work is continuing behind the scenes on research needed for the possible sale of Towamencin’s sewer system.

Supervisors Chairman Chuck Wilson gave an update on that process last week, including next steps toward vetting possible buyers of the sewer system.

“We have asked PFM to provide us with a monthly report we can read at each meeting, and post on the website, along with other materials as they become available,” said Wilson.

Talks began last fall on a possible sale of the Towamencin Municipal Authority, the entity that runs a sewer plant on Kriebel Road, and outside firm PFM Financial Advisors was assigned in

January to proceed beyond an initial valuation and develop a request for qualifications to hear from potential bidders. Township officials have said a sale could bring in proceeds for other infrastructure needs across the township while removing the long-term obligations to keep up with growing regulations, and residents have warned that doing so could make customers more susceptible to rate hikes while removing

accountability by eliminating the TMA’s public oversight.

In February, Wilson reported that the township had set up a dedicated page on the township’s website with facts, figures, a full cost study, and monthly updates from the firm, including a March 19 update Wilson read, detailing steps taken since the month before.

“The township and team are continuing its due diligence, and continues to add relevant documents to the township’s virtual data room,” Wilson said, referring to the online portal for interested bidders.

On Feb. 24, the supervisors voted to retain Dilworth Paxton LLP as special legal counsel, and on March 12 the township received “multiple responses” to the request for qualifications seeking interested bidders, according to Wilson.

“The township received several responses, from all of the firms who provided their indications of interest, as required in the RFQ,” Wilson said.

On March 17, township officials met with the respondents to review their indications, and “ultimately the township decided to pre-qualify all of the interested

firms, allowing them to continue the exploration process,” he said.

The next day, PFM began contacting those firms to schedule formal pre-bid meetings and tours of the plant, which are scheduled to begin in early- to midMay, according to Wilson. Next steps include adding more information to the virtual data room for those interested, and gathering information for those pre-bid meetings.

Towamencin’s supervisors next meet at 7:30 p.m. on April 14; for more information visit www.Towamencin.org.