Lansford Borough Council tabled a reappointment to the Lansford/Coaldale Joint Water Authority Wednesday night after one councilman expressed displeasure at the salaries paid to the members.

Chris Ondrus was the authority member up for reappointment.In addition to Ondrus, five other people applied for the position, which has an annual salary of $6,278 plus health insurance benefits.A motion was made to reappoint Ondrus, but it was rejected on a 5-2 vote.Council members Colin Jones and Rose Mary Cannon voted yes. Council President Martin Ditsky, and members Tommy Vadyak, Mary Soberick, Joe Butrie and Samantha Yasson voted no.Vadyak said despite what the authority sets as its rate of pay, appointees should receive only $75 per month $50 board member fee and a $25 stipend. In addition, they should not qualify for health insurance.According to a salary schedule distributed at the meeting, Superintendent John Surma receives a salary of $48,085; board chairman Toby Krajcirick receives $15,884; secretary Bob Demyanovich is paid $8,316, and treasurer Richard Pogwist is paid $8,316. All received an additional stipend of $2,250.Ondrus and Pogwist have not been receiving the health insurance.The authority pays $15,483 each for health insurance for Krajcirik and Demyanovich. It pays $7,262 in health insurance for Surma.All the members receive pension contributions.Vadyak said in comparison, the superintendent of the Summit Hill Water Authority is paid $800 annually. In Tamaqua and Nesquehoning, the superintendent is paid $900 in each municipality.Board members receive $800 per year in Summit Hill and $900 each in Tamaqua and Nesquehoning. In Lehighton, the board chairman is paid $2,700; the board secretary is paid $3,000, and the treasurer and right to know officer are paid $2,400 each, according to Vadyak.Summit Hill is in the process of dissolving the water authority and establishing a water department under the auspices of the borough.Vadyak said he has been fighting the salaries of the Lansford/Coaldale Joint Water Authority since 2003.He said he feels it is illegal to pay for health insurance for part-time representatives, but was advised he would have to take the complaint to the state auditor general."What are they doing to earn that money?" Ditsky asked.Cannon responded, "I don't think that's something for discussion now."Ditsky said, "I think it is."Vadyak said the total paid in salaries and benefits for the authority during the year is $138,121.Applying for the position besides Ondrus were Len Benek, Joseph Horvat, Ryan Turner, Charles Knepper and Edward Horowski.Only three people applied for a vacancy on the borough's sewer authority, which has a set rate of $75 per month.John Tucker was appointed. Others who applied were Len Benek and Bryan Turner.