Seneca push to re-align sewer authority meets opposition

A move by Seneca to re-align the makeup of the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority that could award the city, the largest customer, with stronger voting clout met opposition yesterday from those who represent the smaller users, Walhalla and Westminster.  Seneca’s Scott Moulder introduced the idea and, as chairman, entertained a vote that split the commissioners in half.  With Westminster’s Leigh Baker departed from the meeting to attend to an electric power problem in his city, the commissioners’ 4-4 vote proved inconclusive.  But the matter won’t rest, as there was consensus to have sewer attorney Larry Brandt study the by-laws and render an opinion.  Moulder explained his intent is to align the policy-making board to meet the loads from the authority’s three municipal customers, saying his city accounts for 64% of the wastewater treated and, thus, pays the largest bill.  However, Moulder’s plea met with stern opposition from Walhalla’s Lamar Bailes who warned Moulder that a change could disrupt the peace and harmony with which the tri-city authority has conducted business for 40 years.  Bailes told the meeting re-alignment amounted to giving Seneca control.  Currently, the commission is a nine-member board consisting of four Seneca members and five representing Walhalla and Westminster.