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LEWISTOWN – The Granville Township Supervisors on Thursday sent a letter to Lewistown Borough Council regarding its feelings pertaining to the situation involving Council and the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Lewistown (MABL), which provides service to residents of Granville Township.
A copy of the letter, dated today, was submitted to The Sentinel for publication.
The text of the letter is included below and italicized:
Council Members,
Over the course of the past year, Granville Township and the other affected municipalities have been closely watching the actions undertaken by the Borough in relation to The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Lewistown (MABL). We have read, reviewed and conversed about the emails sent by Council President Shade.
We have monitored Council Member Campbell's comments on social media concerning MABL.
We heard and read that a major reason for withholding agreement to the County Authority is concern for neighboring municipalities. At no time has the Borough contacted those affected to ask for an open discussion. We are left wondering if the Borough is intentionally trying to alienate the majority of Mifflin County municipalities governmental bodies and residents.
We have read that MABL assets belong to the Borough because of the investment made by the Borough. What investment? What funds? Granville Township water customers paid for the construction of the lines in our township, not Lewistown Borough. The other municipalities water customers paid for the lines installed in the irrespective service areas, not Lewistown Borough. What money has the Borough actually expended from any of its accounts, not MABL's accounts but the Borough's accounts?
The recent appointments to the MABL Board are employees of the Borough. Are those employees being paid by Lewistown Borough to attend those meetings? Are they also being paid by MABL to attend? Are we to believe that those employees that are paid by you are allowed to think and decide independently without the threat of being fired if they don't carry out the Borough Council's wishes? As a sign of good faith and willingness to work with your neighboring municipalities, the Borough could have requested candidates for open positions from government leaders of those affected?
We have read and monitored responses to constituents raising questions and concerns over the current actions of Lewistown Borough. Many times the response is that those raising the concerns don't understand what it means to serve in public office. That excuse will not work here. We serve our constituents every day to the best of our ability.
We understand what it means to govern with our residents at the forefront each and every day. We understand what it means to budget with limited funds. We understand that it affects each and every one of our residents if we raise taxes. We take our jobs seriously and try to govern ethically and morally.
While we recognize some Council Members have supported the inclusion of neighboring municipalities, the majority have not. We all came to the table by submitting our members to the Mifflin County Municipal Authority. If the deal presented financially wasn't exactly what Lewistown Borough wanted, the Borough could have come to table by appointing members and continuing the discussion with MCMA and MABL. Lewistown Borough isn't willing to try and come to a mutually beneficial deal, according to President Shade's recent Lewistown Sentinel interview.
At one point Council President Shade said our actions moving toward a Countywide Authority would be considered hostile. Our actions are not hostile; our actions are trying to move toward a mutually beneficial system for all. We haven't refused to try to discuss the matter, we haven't been invited to discuss.
All municipalities in Mifflin County have worked well together historically. If another municipality requires aid, we are willing to supply it if we are able. We assisted Oliver Township with roadside ditching this past year, and they in turn helped us with our ditching. During the Blizzard of 1993, we provided snow removal assistance and cleanup to the Borough. For years, the Borough would borrow our chipper. The Borough Police utilize the Township impound yard for vehicle storage. We don't send an invoice; we don't ask for annual fees to be paid. We have done it to assist our neighboring governmental body. Is it the intent of the majority of Council to try and destroy the relationships you have with your neighbors?
Granville and Derry have supported DLI financially even though 99% of those funds are expended in the Borough of Lewistown through facade grants, sidewalks replacement and repair, improvements to the Five Points area, improvements to the Embassy Theater, etc. We have strived to support improving the Borough, with the thought it helps improve the entire County. Based on recent actions of the majority of Lewistown Borough Council, it would appear you don't feel improving, including or supporting your neighbors is important or necessary.
We respectfully request Council come to the table. Work with your neighbors. Let's come to a settlement that is best for Mifflin County. Let's strengthen and support our intergovernmental relationships, not tear them apart.
We are more than willing to host a discussion. We offer our meeting room and our Zoom platform for an open discussion with all those municipalities served by MABL.
Sincerely,
Granville Township Board of Supervisors
Mark M. Ellinger, Chairman
William W. Page, Vice Chairman
James A. Smith, Sr., Supervisor