Letter between Greencastle and Antrim water authorities spurs questions

Business was light for Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority Monday night. Attendance was also lighter, with manager Susan Armstrong and chairperson Bud O'Mara absent from the monthly meeting.

After an executive session for real estate and potential litigation matters, members Mark Divelbiss, Jason Gerhart, Joel Amsley and Greg Rock convened, with GAFCWA solicitor Jan Sulcove and engineer Rachel Govelovich also present.

Antrim Township personnel were in the audience, with municipal authority chairman Rodney Eberly, administrator Brad Graham, and public works director Carl Rundquist the only people out on the snowy night.

Eberly addressed GAFCWA during public comment. He wanted to make sure there were no misunderstandings about a letter ATMA had sent the Greencastle authority. He stated that ATMA solicitor Linus Fenicle had been told that all correspondence with Greencastle had to go through Sulcove. The three Antrim visitors had also not been aware that Armstrong and O'Mara would be gone, but they would have appreciated knowing.

Sulcove explained that because Antrim's legal representative had inquired about whether the letter would be on the Feb. 15 agenda, Greencastle's legal representative had to give the response.

Eberly asked, "Has the board given any thought to the letter we sent?" 

Divelbiss replied that the purpose of the public comment period was for the board to listen only, "but yes, we got it."

"It's going to be exciting," Eberly said as he left the podium.

"I hope not," said Divelbiss.

Eberly finished, "It will be, trust me."

Graham then spoke.

"Simply to ask if an item would be on the agenda, your (email) response seemed strong."

"The response was appropriate and ethical," Sulcove said.

The two sides verified that the letter had been about an agreement for a proposed bulk water sale from GAFCWA to ATMA. The topic was not on the agenda.