PENN TWP — Multiple residents of Penn Township expressed concern over increases in their sewer bills at the township’s monthly supervisors meeting on Tuesday night, Dec. 12.

The higher bills are a result of recent rate increases by the Saxonburg Area Authority, which provides sewer services for much of Butler County, including Penn Township.

The rate increases — the first in 10 years — took effect for the billing period starting Nov. 15. Customers who are billed by flat rate will now be charged $79 per month for sewer service, an increase of $9 over the previous rate.

Fran Lunz, the first to speak on the issue, said the rate increases would have a detrimental effect on those who were retired and living on fixed incomes.

“I'm not here speaking just for myself, but for the retired, the elderly that are on fixed incomes ... the people like myself, who are staring down retirement in just a few short years,” Lunz said. “I think at least a 25% decrease would show that Penn Township’s board is looking out for retired elderly people on a fixed income ... people that are struggling to buy groceries at Walmart.”

Keith Weisenstein expressed skepticism that the rate increases would stop here.

“We’re not going to win,” Weisenstein said. “Saxonburg wants to raise it $10 this year, $20 three years from now, $50 five years from now, you’re not going to stop them. None of us are.”

One man — who spoke from his seat without giving his name — took issue with the fact that not all residents in the authority’s coverage area are paying the same rate for sewer service. While most residential customers are paying the flat rate, others, along with non-residential customers, are charged a metered rate, which can come out to far less even with the rate increase.

“I know for a fact that not everybody in the Saxonburg Sewer Authority pays the same rates,” the speaker said. “I know that in Saxonburg they're paying $42 a month. Yes, they did get a notice of an increase, but is it going to be up to the same amount?”

Speaking in defense of the authority, township supervisor Douglas Roth, who is also on the authority’s board, said rates could not be kept where they were due to inflation.

“Since the pandemic, I'm sure you're aware that there's been a lot of increases in costs,” Roth said. “They can't operate anymore at rates that were in 10 years ago. We talked about doing it last year and we held off for a year.”

Roth said a rate decrease was not on the horizon, stating it was impractical.

“They can’t function right now. If we didn’t do the increase this year, then they’d be in the red,” Roth said.

Roth also said he is aware of the discrepancy that may exist between the sewer rates of municipalities, and said he has brought it up at the authority’s meetings.

“I said we're being overcharged. I’ve said that at meetings, and they recognize that,” Roth said. “They're trying to close the gap. They do recognize that.”

Roth invited all interested parties to the Saxonburg Area Authority’s next meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19.