Borough seeking bids for potential MABS sale
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
SHENANDOAH – The borough of Shenandoah approved a recommendation from the Pennsylvania Economy League to solicit bids for the potential sale of its municipal authority, which serves the borough and portions of surrounding townships, at its regular meeting on Monday.
“Basically, what it is is a free appraisal of what our assets and the value of our plant is,” said council president Leo Pietkiewicz after the meeting.
The motion approved the Pennsylvania Economy League to distribute a request for proposals for the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah, using grant money from the PEL’s early intervention program.
“Receipt of proposals will not obligate the borough or MABS to accept any offer or proposal,” Pietkiewicz said in the motion.
Shenandoah Heights resident and owner of Ateeco Inc., based in the borough, Tom Twardzik asked council, “Is that ultimately to sell the authorities?”
“It potentially can be,” said Pietkiewicz.
“What are the other options, if it’s not a sale?” asked Twardzik.
”We’d have to look for grants and funding to upgrade the facility,” Pietkiewicz said. “We’re just getting a feeling on how much it’s valued at.”
Matt Domiles, an advisor from the Pennsylvania Economy League, was present at the meeting and explained why the organization recommended the action.
“They’re doing due diligence. They can either keep it and invest money into it, they can do a concession and rent it to somebody and get it back after so many years, or they can sell it,” said Domiles.
The proposal, Domiles said, will see if any entity is willing to acquire the authority, and from there, the borough can evaluate the proposals versus the cost to operate the authority themselves.
“We want to look at both options. Is it worth selling, or can we find the funding to improve it,” Pietkiewicz said.
About Author
