Photo by J.W. Johnson Jr.

ZELIENOPLE — Borough council unanimously approved Western Butler County Authority’s $64 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade during a meeting Monday night.

But not without first hearing from a group concerned about the financial impact to taxpayers.

Harmony and Lancaster Township already had approved the proposal as of June 27, but Jackson Township and Zelienople had yet to make a decision.

Jackson Township’s vote will take place next week.

Council tabled the Act 537 Plan, a document that outlines proposed changes to the authority’s wastewater treatment plant at its June 27 meeting due to the concerns of some residents, who questioned whether the plant improvements would be the most cost-effective means of increasing sewage capacity, as well as whether the upgrade is fair to the borough’s residents.

To alleviate the respective queries of Zelienople and the three other municipalities the WBCA serves, the authority assembled a steering committee comprised of two representatives from each municipality.

The steering committee process lasted from November 2021 to March 2022 and convinced Mary Hess, Zelienople council president — who said she initially was one of the biggest critics of the proposal — that approving the plan would be the right decision.

Other administration members shared Hess’ change of heart Monday night.

“We were a thorn,” Don Pepe, city manager, said of the council’s initial skepticism of the proposal. He said he, too, is now confident in the council’s decision to approve the plan.

Hess said the steering committee examined every concern and question and made only minor modifications to the initial proposal.

At Monday’s meeting, Hess spoke of her approval of the plan and residents’ remaining concerns.

“We feel we have fully vetted this process,” Hess said.

On the contrary, members of Zelienople Residents in the Know were adamant in their disagreement with the council’s decision. The community group expressed concerns for the financial burden the plan could place on residents, among other dispute points.

Government grants were one suggestion Residents in the Know made to relieve the community of the plan’s costs.

In response to the public’s concern, Hess made a short remark on behalf of the council and steering committee.

“What may seem like fluff or extras are actually essential,” Hess said. “The 537 Plan is part of the process in being able to get grant money.”

While Hess said she appreciated the concerns of those who spoke at the meeting, some said they were upset about Hess' suppression of public comment.

After council vice president Andrew Mathew made the first motion, and member Doug Foyle seconded, Hess made no call for public comment even after meeting attendees tried to speak.

Other business on the agenda were less contested and focused on bills to be paid in July, special event permit applications, an outdoor seating request and pay estimates for construction contracts.

The council approved a special event permit applications for The Gathering at the Park and Fisher’s Bar and Grill Zelie Idol event and outdoor seating for Sips & Sweets Shop, 133 S. Main St.