Pennsburg officials said this week they'll be investigating claims that the Upper Montgomery Joint Authority (UMJA) is requiring borough businesses to purchase additional capacity through its sewer operation at a cost of thousands of dollars.

        Mayor Vicki Lightcap said during the April 5 council meeting that three small businesses in the area reached out to the borough, stating UMJA was "requiring them all of the sudden to get additional EDUs (equivalent dwelling units)."  

        "One is a local church and then we had three small businesses in Pennsburg that are having this issue.  Nothing has changed with the water usage of each of these businesses yet UMJA is requiring that they spend up to $10,159 for each EDU," she said.  "I think maybe we could have Glenn [Quinn, UMJA executive director] explain why…We have asked how much does Pennsburg have in EDUs and we have gotten that our EDUs are kind of combined with everyone else's and we have to really watch them.  And now UMJA's out there selling them."

        Lightcap said she also received information from one of the business' lawyers stating that, upon contacting UMJA, the cost of those EDUs could be negotiable.

        "I fell it's extremely important that we talk to the executive director about this.  Because to go to small businesses and our local church, who does all these special things for the community…All of the sudden now they're being gone after to get additional EDUs that they would have to purchase, that puts a lot of pressure on our businesses. 

        "We have a lot of doors and buildings that are empty we need to get business in.  If we don't help our businesses in the area we may lose them.  I'd like for him to come in and talk with us."

        Council directed Lightcap to ask UMJA Executive Director Glenn Quinn in writing to come out to an April 19 meeting to talk about the issue. 

        But Quinn, when contacted Wednesday about the issue, said the businesses involved have all been operating above their allowed EDU capacity.  He said usage is determined using water meter readings for each building.

        "An EDU is a certain amount of capacity (gallons).  You are either required to bring that capacity down or purchase additional EDUs," he said.

        Quinn said UMJA gives customers up to two years after their usage is first clocked above the allowed amount and they are sent a notification letter, to check for leaks in the system, which could explain higher than normal levels, or to purchase more capacity.  He also said the customer is given reminder notices that they need to come back into compliance with their usage with each high reading.   

        "Everyone has allocated capacity and we can't give more than they pay for," he said, referring to the requirement as "normal business" that had nothing to do with the plant's planned $25 million upgrade.

         In other borough news, officials voted to purchase the first components of a security system for the borough office at 76 W. 6^th Street.  The package, purchased from Kriebel Security, would include a keypad for the door, a motion detector, panic buttons and other devices at a cost of $295.  A $28 monthly monitoring fee will also apply, officials said, noting they are still looking into additional security measures like cameras to view visitors coming into the building. 

        Councilman Bruce Lord also announced the borough will hold its annual planting day at the Nature Preserve on E. 5^th Street.  Council approved the purchase of plants not to exceed $800 and invited the public to come out April 23 from 9 a.m. until noon to help beautify the space.

        Council also briefly discussed a community garden initiative for borough land near Pennsburg Manor, called "The Green Project," which is in the planning stages.  More information will be available at a later date, officials said.