JEFFERSON TWP. - A joint work session between the Jefferson Twp. supervisors and sewer authority didn't seem to change any minds and ended after its solicitor shouted at a resident, leading a police office to escort him out of the Municipal Building through a hostile crowd.
"If people can't be civil, that's when this meeting will end," Supervisor John Patterson said at the beginning of the work session.
Throughout the meeting, supervisors and sewer authority members went back and forth with about 50 residents of Living Waters and Archbald Mountain roads. Residents complained about 26 houses being included in a $2.7 million plan that would require about 100 homes hooking up to a sewer system. Each property would pay about $3,800 in initial costs and annual fees of $600.
Jefferson Twp. supervisors have submitted the plan to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
After hearing resident and former supervisor Will Keating dispute total cost, sewer authority member Michael Hyduchak shouted at him. "I'm tired of your lying, buddy!" Mr. Hyduchak said.
Some residents pointed fingers toward sewer authority members. Authority member Carol Thomas walked out of the meeting, followed by her husband, Supervisor Paul "Jake" Thomas.
After resident Lynne Desando walked to the front of the room asking questions, sewer authority solicitor Robert A. Cecchini said he had heard enough.
"Shut up!" he shouted.
Mr. Patterson adjourned the meeting, though people continued to shout. After the meeting, Mr. Patterson said he continued to support the sewer plan sent to DEP.