In a split vote Tuesday, the Butler Area Sewer Authority board of directors approved an agreement that gives Pennsylvania American Water Company 60 days to estimate the value of BASA's sewer system and assets and submit it to the board for consideration of a potential sale.

Board members voted 3-2 in favor of a confidentiality agreement submitted by PAWC. The agreement gives PAWC the exclusive right to assess the value of the system and assets for 60 days, said Michael Hnath, BASA solicitor.

PAWC is also planning to submit confidentiality agreements to Butler City Council and the Butler Township commissioners, which appoint members to the BASA board. The confidentiality agreements prohibit members of the BASA board, city council and township commissioners from disclosing the value determined by PAWC.

The three board members appointed by city council — Mavrik Goepfert, Lance Calvert and Steven Braden — voted in favor of the agreement. Both township appointees — Gerald Patterson Jr. and Paul Sybert — voted against the agreement.

Read more in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.