Details concerning its Jan. 10 purchase of the Tri-Valley water system were the main topics of discussion at Tuesday night's Bowmanstown Borough Water Authority meeting.

The stand-alone, well-fed water system, previously owned by Greg Sander, currently services Stone Ridge Manor. And though that housing development is just next door to the borough, it is actually located in Lower Towamensing Township.Therefore, an intermunicipal agreement is needed between Bowmanstown and that township in order for the borough authority to be provided an extension and be able to supply water to the 53 residences located there.Solicitor Neil Ettinger told authority members that the intermunicipal agreement the authority hopes to enter into with Lower Towamensing Township was unanimously agreed on last Tuesday by that township's board of supervisors for advertising for adoption. It will likely be passed by them next month.In addition, he said Tri-Valley last month asked for another 30-day escrow extension in regard to money it owes to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. However, he clarified that the Department of Revenue told him it will release the lien it currently has on the Tri-Valley buildings purchased by the authority and instead place it on other property owned by Sander. Thus, Ettinger said, the authority's title is now good.He noted that it was his understanding that the authority has set an April 1 deadline for Sander to have vacated the buildings.Engineer Mark Bahnick gave members a map showing the two points of connection, at Oriole Drive and Towhee Drive, proposed for where the borough's current water system will connect in Stone Ridge Manor with the Tri-Valley Water System.At last month's meeting, Bahnick had said that though "one composite system" was not immediately necessary, it would be better for water quality, circulation, and service to customers."So we're fine right now, operating as a stand-alone system, but it will be much better once we tie it all in," he said.Chairman Jerry Hall later said that a permit to operate the system was granted March 7 and that they hope to have the connections completed and the composite system operational sometime this spring.In an executive session lasting more than half-an-hour, the authority said it also discussed employee matters and security camera quotes.Last month, water plant operator Craig LaBarre had expressed concern about a recent break-in attempt at the Bowmanstown sewer plant and noted that borough council would like to obtain quotes for security cameras/alarm systems on borough water buildings.