MABS hires special counsel to handle union grievance; tables transfer of property to borough
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah Offices.
SHENANDOAH – The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah board of directors has hired special counsel to handle a union grievance as they continue to wind up their operations.
Though they no longer have a water system to manage, the authority still has post-closing obligations to meet, including the transfer of some easements.
At a public meeting Thursday afternoon at borough hall, the board approved the retention of Ballard Spahr, of Philadelphia, to handle a union grievance received by the United Steelworkers Union, which formerly represented MABS employees.
The grievance was received on August 8, MABS solicitor Matthew Rossi said.
“To this day, we have not received any demands from the union nor any specific information they’re requesting directed to MABS,” Rossi said. “However, I do anticipate this is going to be something of a negotiation.”
Rossi suggested the retention of special counsel, and said that a union grievance was anticipated during the sale process and suggested retaining Ballard Spahr, which represented MABS during the sale.
“They’ve already prepped this issue and are prepared to go forward as special counsel,” Rossi said. “To catch up another law firm on these issues, it wouldn’t make sense.”
The board also tabled a resolution to divest the remaining real estate and vehicles they own to the borough.
That real estate includes land atop Locust Mountain where the Locust Ridge Wind Farm was constructed, as well as the breached Kehley Run dams and Fetter Pond. The land was not included in the sale and was not necessary to operate the system.
“Sooner, rather than later, we’d rather get those transferred out of MABS,” Rossi said.
Rossi also said that the MABS board will continue to exist until post-closing requirements are completed, and meetings will be held as needed.
“It’s going to be a little while,” Rossi said.
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