The Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority is asking the City of Allentown to let voters decide whether the city should lease its water and sewer operations.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has proposed a lease in order to raise funds for pension obligations.

At its meeting Jan. 17, the seven-member CWSA board unanimously approved a resolution supporting a group of Allentown residents who want to place the question on the May primary ballot.

"The board of the Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority supports the ballot question which would require the registered electors of the City of Allentown to approve any sale or lease of city land or assets valued in excess of $10 million," reads part of the CWSA resolution. "The board of the Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority further resolves to urge city council to take no action on the mayor's proposal to lease the City of Allentown's water and sewer operations, but rather to defer any such action to the registered electors of the City of Allentown for their determination in the election."

CWSA is one of several signatories who send wastewater to Allentown for treatment, per an agreement dating to 1981.

Allentown Solicitor Jerry Snyder, who addressed Coplay Borough Council in November, said the lease will not result in rate hikes and that Allentown will require any lessor to abide by the terms of existing agreements.

However, CWSA Chairman John Schreiner has said CWSA doesn't understand why anyone would invest millions of dollars in Allentown's treatment plant without receiving a return. He fears a rate hike is the only way for an investor to make money.

CWSA, the Whitehall Township commissioners and Coplay Borough Council also have expressed frustration with their inability to get answers from city officials. In November, Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said, for example, he learned about Pawlowski's proposal from the media rather than directly from city officials.

Schreiner told Coplay Borough Council Jan. 8 that Allentown had contacted CWSA and Hozza earlier this month, asking for a meeting. The meeting was then canceled, leaving the authority without answers it had been promised in November. He also expressed frustration over the fact that Allentown invited Hozza but did not invite Coplay Mayor Joseph Bundra or any members of council.

When following up on Schreiner's comments, The Press learned that Snyder is out on medical leave.

CWSA Solicitor Jack Stover said Jan. 17 he had been unaware of Snyder's absence.

Mike Moore, Allentown's communications coordinator, said the meeting with CWSA had been called to discuss issues relating to the proposed lease and was postponed due to a scheduling conflict.

Moore was unable to provide any further information. Calls to other city officials were referred back to Moore.

At last week's CWSA meeting, Whitehall Commissioner Philip Ginder thanked the authority on behalf of the township.

"At Monday's meeting, I was asked to extend a huge, heartfelt thank you ... for what you have done and will continue to do for the ratepayers of Whitehall Township," he said.