The big news at Slatington's Water/Sewer/Highway Workshop Committee meeting Monday night was the introduction of the borough's new consulting engineer, specifically appointed to handle its oft-troubled wastewater treatment facility.

Sewer Chairman Bob Steets introduced Karl E. Schreiter Jr. of Schreiter Engineering Associates Inc. of Doylestown, noting he had been appointed at council's Nov. 10 meeting, and asked him to give a brief summation of his recent visit to the sewer plant."I found that there are some things that do have to be addressed," Schreiter said. "The first thing (is that) your digester system is in very bad shape ... it needs work of some kind. We'll have to see if it's worth bringing up to current codes to make a safe environment to work in or just getting rid of it and disposing of the sludge in another way.""What the right answer is, I don't know at this time," he said, "because I have to do a cost analysis. It's going to come down to money."He said his company, which has specialized in water and wastewater management for the past 40 years, just went through something similar in Catasauqua, having to retrofit the entire digester system, and that it had cost $1.5 million to $2 million."We could be in the same ballpark here for the work that has to be done," Schreiter said, noting he needs more time to be certain.He said he also wants to "look at the compliance history to see how you're doing" and also visit the plant within the next week or two to have in-depth discussions with the staff to "find out exactly what's happening" and become familiar with the facility and the system.He assured the committee his first focus will be the digester, which he said constitutes a real problem because "it's not really safe."Council members said they understood and invited Schreiter to visit the plant as often as he feels is necessary.Schreiter said once a week should suffice for now and that he will "try to be cognizant ... to keep costs down."However, Vice President Gwyneth Neff told him "the gate's open" and that he should feel free to visit as often as need be.Solicitor Ed Healy asked council to clarify if Schreiter was to be the engineer for the entire wastewater collection system and treatment plant or limited to the treatment plant.Steets said it is the committee's intention that Schreiter be the engineer for the sewer plant.In other news, council approved Lorah Excavating of Walnutport to handle the First and East Washington streets' curb sidewalk tie-in for $2,200.Council members reviewed a portion of the 2015 preliminary budget, noting they will continue to review it, and possibly adopt it, at 7 p.m. Monday.The final budget will hopefully then be up for adoption at council's Dec. 8 meeting, which actually begins at 6:45 p.m. due to the scheduled public hearing, at which public comment will be taken regarding Slatington's proposed intention to help form the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority together with Walnutport and Washington Township.