Palmer Municipal Sewer Authority Members Honored

They had 111 years of service to Palmer Township among them.

The five members of the Palmer Township Municipal Sewer Authority had served on the board ranging from 10 years to 41 years.

"We didn't want to let them go unnoticed," Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver said. "So we wanted them to join us for a little celebration and a token of our appreciation."

The Board of Supervisors honored the former sewer authority members at a meeting earlier this year. The supervisors had disbanded the authority due to a lack of sewer system growth and to streamline municipal operations.

"The township made the change last year to dissolve the authority after 40-50 years," Colver said.

So officials honored: Richard Hai (10 yrs), Hans Hoeflein (13 yrs), Jack Corcoran (20 yrs), Harold Kist (27 yrs) and Bill Smolow (41 yrs).

Photos were taken, handshakes were made and each was given a clock in a wooden box as a keepsake.

"We're on a limited taxpayer budget so trips to Hawaii are not available this year," Colver joked.

Founded in 1964, the Palmer Township Municipal Sewer Authority was created to develop the sewer conveyance system that serves almost all of Palmer Township. 

The authority reviewed all sewer-related projects, borrowed money to build the conveyance system and made recommendations to supervisors. 

The authority was dissolved last June, with all functions combined with the township’s public utilities department.