MABS board names chair, approves HVAC bids, remembers lost employee

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah Offices.

RAVEN RUN – The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah (MABS) board now has a chairperson, after Thursday’s special meeting at the authority’s office near Raven Run.

The board named its newest member, James Rusin, as chair. Leo Pietkiewicz nominated him for the post with John Szczyglak seconding. Rusin was elected via a 3-0 vote, with Pietkiewicz, Szczyglak, and Brian Dillman voting for. Board member Gary Wood was absent.

Szczyglak was named to the vice-chairman post, with Pietkiewicz nominating him as well, with Dillman seconding.

The board was without a chair since the first meeting of the year, when, with four members attending, the board deadlocked.

Thursday’s meeting opened with a moment of silence, remembering Anthony Testen, a plant operator for MABS, who passed away at his William Penn home Wednesday.

MABS also approved a bid for a project to rehabilitate the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at the water treatment plant and office.

Leibold Inc., from the Cressona area, was awarded the project at a base bid cost of $435,000. Nine bids were received at an average price of $523,050.44.

The authority also hired two employees, a full-time distribution employee — Rick Geist — and a relief operator — Mike Williams.

Szczyglak also extended thanks to Union Township Supervisor David Briggs for cleaning up litter and debris the authority’s property in his township and keeping an eye out for those who’ve dumped it.

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