SEVEN FIELDS — Members of borough council this week rejected an expansion at the Breakneck Creek Regional Authority, saying they want better representation on the authority board.

During a meeting Monday, council was asked to consider a resolution to support a $13.7 million project that would add two basins to the wastewater treatment plant on Mars-Evans City Road.

The expansion would give the authority six basins and increase capacity from 3 million gallons of water each day to 4.5 million. Upgrades would be made to the system's sludge dewatering process.

The project is part of an update to the authority's Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan for the communities it serves, which include all of Adams Township, Mars, Seven Fields and Valencia; portions of Cranberry, Forward and Middlesex townships in Butler County; and portions of Pine and Richland townships in Allegheny County. Approval of the resolution is being sought in those municipalities.

According to Tom Smith, Seven Fields' borough manager, the borough had asked for representation on the authority's board of directors. Smith said the board is composed of two representatives each from Adams Township and Mars, while Seven Fields sought one representative.

That request was denied, according to a letter from Michael Davidson, manager of the authority.

“As previously indicated by the incorporating municipalities of Adams Township and Mars Borough, the addition of another incorporating municipality is not desired,” the letter states.

Before voting on the resolution Monday, members of council said they did not understand why the request for representation was denied. Councilman Brian Trimble noted that about 18 percent of the authority's customers live in Seven Fields.

Smith said the denial was telling.

“I would suggest in an era when we've been advocating for regionalism in southwest Butler County, this doesn't bode well for that,” he told council. “To me, you have your answer. They seem like they're doing quite fine without us.”

Council opted not to approve the resolution.

Smith said in an interview Wednesday that he understands the view of the authority. Adams Township and Mars created the authority in 1989, floating the initial bonds for construction. Smith said that at that time, Seven Fields was in no position to play a role on the authority, having been incorporated in 1983 with roughly 400 residents.

“It wasn't prudent,” he said.

Now, however, the borough has about 3,200 residents and multiple developments, and Smith said it is larger in population and has a larger budget than Mars. Because of that, representation was sought.

“We do want to play well in the sandbox with others,” he said.

Smith added that the lack of a resolution to support the project has no impact on customers, and simply would have been a show of support for the authority.

The plan is expected to be considered further by the authority at its Dec. 18 meeting. Davidson said the plan will be submitted without Seven Fields' approval, and noted the borough also did not support the authority's last plan.