Questions posed by the Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority (CWSA) about the possible lease of Allentown's water and sewer services have not been answered adequately.

CWSA Chairman John Schreiner reported during the July 18 meeting he, Vice Chairman James Roth and Community Affairs Officer Joseph Marx recently attended a meeting at Lehigh County Authority (LCA).

"We don't have a clue as to how they want to proceed," said Schreiner. "We keep waiting. We think some of this may hinge on the arbitration hearing."

CWSA has opposed the lease of city water and sewer services since the plan was presented a few years ago. CWSA previously passed a resolution encouraging the city to put the issue to a referendum.

Marx said the LCA is a trifold entity, consisting of the LCA itself, LCA as a signatory and the city of Allentown.

"Not only are they a signatory, but they are an agent," said Marx.

Regarding billing from the LCA, Marx said he received confirmation Coplay and Whitehall will be billed in a timely manner and, if a dispute does occur regarding rates, arbitration figures will be used to settle the dispute.

"We're not going to roll over and I think they're (LCA) starting to understand that," said Schreiner.

In other business, CWSA General Manager Dave Harleman presented the specifics of a recently submitted application from the Coplay Quarry Reclamation Project. The project, Harman said, involves extending 2,100 feet of sanitary and sewer services up to Beekmantown Road.

"Everything appears consistent with our regulations," Harman said.

If approved, the developer would have to dedicate all necessary easements and meet the necessary EPA regulations, he said.

The board unanimously approved the project, conditioned upon the developer consenting to an agreement with the CWSA, the granting of easements and meeting EPA requirements.

Also during the meeting, CWSA Engineer Darryl Snover reported the Coplay Interceptor Project has been completed.

"Everything is flowing downhill," Snover said. "The principal project is complete."

The next CWSA meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 in the public meeting room of the CWSA, 3213 MacArthur Road.