The Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority approved the 2014 budget at its Dec. 19 meeting.

While the $3.4 million budget amounts to $50,285 less than last year, there are no sanitary sewer increases proposed for 2014.

The 2014 capital improvement line item collects $1.8 million in income from fees and loans. The capital budget will also expend $1.6 million on improvements, with the biggest project in 2014 slated as the relocation of collection system lines to allow for the expansion of Route 22.

David Harleman, CWSA plant manager, explained a request from Allentown for a sewer connection to the CWSA assets. In a prior session, the board agreed that a connection by Allentown to CWSA sewer lines along the Lehigh River for Allentown's waterfront development was not in the best interest of CWSA's ratepayers.

Harleman presented a new proposal that uses a secondary line for connection. The secondary line, which CWSA owns, does not present any of the engineering challenges of the initial proposal. Both lines are located near Furnace Street.

Attorney Jack Stover explained that allowing the tie-in to the secondary line could present CWSA with some negotiating tools for the primary line.

"We would want to look at protective covenants that we need," Stover said.

According to Stover, the primary line is in an older easement and does not offer some of the legal protections that are negotiated with newer easements for sewer lines.

The board agreed to permit Stover to enter into negotiations with Allentown.

Stover also indicated there is a verbal consensus for an agreement in a long-standing disagreement between CWSA and Allentown over waste water fees. Stover will present the details at the next meeting.

Also during the meeting, Darryl Jenkins, CWSA's engineer, reported the project to rebuild sewer lines on Rauch Street is complete.

"The laterals are all connected and everything is flowing freely," he said.

Rauch Street sewers were rebuilt to reduce maintenance problems on the lines and reduce the potential of a sewer backup for homeowners served by the line.