Members of the Butler Area Sewer Authority board on Tuesday discussed the possibility of hiring an engineering firm to advise the board.

John Mowry with KLH Engineers of Pittsburgh attended the meeting and gave a brief presentation on the services his firm can provide to the board.

The board voted in July to invite KLH to a meeting at member Mike English’s request. Currently, the authority uses Chester Engineers of Pittsburgh.

English said he wants an engineer that would act as a consultant to the board.

“We need a good consultant that has our interests in mind,” English said.

He said Chester does not give the board any alternative options for projects.

“All we have to go on is what is handed to us, ready to go, regardless of cost,” English said.

Board member George Shockey said he did not know exactly what English was asking for. He asked English if he wanted the board to take on KLH to provide professional services. English said yes.

“Well, let’s put it up (for vote),” English said. “I don’t feel comfortable with Chester Engineering for a variety of reasons.”

However, neither English nor any other board members made a motion for any action and no vote was taken.

English said he would like to see the board have its own engineer.

“We do,” Shockey said, saying that Chester is the board’s engineer.

English said he wants another engineer to act in an advisory capacity to the board.

“What does Chester do that they don’t advise us?” asked board Chairman Jerry Patterson.

English said Chester does not give the board any options and forces the board to make last minute decisions on projects.

He said the board should be able to choose any engineering firm it wants on projects and to have more than one option for projects.

However, Patterson said the board already can select what engineer it wants to use for any project.

“We have that option,” Patterson said.

English said he only wants to have an advising engineer for the board to oversee what other firms do.