A retired financial professional has investigated compensation schedules of local water utility boards.

He says one stands out as needing drastic change.And if that change were made, says Lansford's Len Sniscak, every family in Coaldale and Lansford would have about $68 more in their pockets to use for food and other basic needs.Sniscak told Coaldale Borough Council members at Tuesday's regular meeting held at town hall that the Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority board is raking in compensation at a level far beyond any similar entity in Lehighton, Panther Valley and Tamaqua areas.To emphasize his point, Sniscak produced a matrix for the sake of comparison. His data shows Summit Hill water authority members receiving $4,000 in annual compensation.In Tamaqua and Nesquehoning, it's $4,500. Lehighton is a bit higher at $10,500. But in Lansford-Coaldale, it's $138,121."The cost is $134,000 more than any other place. It's time for change. It's ridiculous," said Sniscak, who served 20 years in the accounting and finance field at AT&T.Sniscak said the five members of the LCJWA board receive salaries that range from a low of $6,278 to a high of $48,085 plus a stipend of $2,250 for each member.In addition, three members receive paid health care coverage totaling $38,228, plus pension benefits. With salary and benefits combined, total compensation for the highest paid member is $58,910, said Sniscak.Sniscak wants to know why the service provided in Lansford-Coaldale would be 34 times more complex than neighboring peers."Legal yes." he said. "But ethical?"Sniscak chose Tuesday night to present his findings because the board was scheduled to act on an open LCJWA seat.It's Sniscak's belief that the only way to correct the situation is to start putting new blood on the board.But he feels such change doesn't seem to happen, sometimes because vacancies aren't necessarily advertised.In fact, Sniscak said, he recently offered his services on the board at a cost of $100 a month.Instead, the incumbent was reaappointed at a $35,000 yearly salary, negating an "opportunity to save $34,000 for the very people that voted them into office the LCJWA customer," Sniscak said."You're the gatekeepers," Sniscak said, imploring council to review his suggestions and take action on what he calls "disproportionate compensation."Specifically, Sniscak's recommendations for the utility board and council's review include having the LCJWA board partner with Tamaqua, Nesquehoning and Summit Hill boards to find out how they can provide seamless delivery of the board functions at a cost to customers of $4,000-$4,500.He also advocates limiting board terms and adopting a policy addressing nepotism.Sniscak believes market forces should come into play and the cost of providing the service should be competitive and in alignment with similar efforts in other local towns.He also would like to see everybody benefit by the savings and wise decisions."The $68 for an average family could be spent on food at Boyer's, better than for nonvalue added activity," he said."I'm only doing this for the good of the people," Sniscak told the TIMES NEWS in an interview immediately following his presentation.Council will review the recommendations.