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An Authority is an independent agency
created by a governmental body to carry
out a certain enterprise function.
The Bucks County Water and Sewer
Authority was created by the County
Commissioners in 1962 under the
Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act
to assist local municipalities with the
installation of water and sewer service
in the State of Pennsylvania.
There is no tax money involved in the
operation of an authority. All income is
derived by billing the people who use
the services. As a result, anyone not
using the service does not pay toward
it. This is known as "user pays."
By the same token, this is why tax money
can not be used to help offset the cost
of sewer installation as some people
have suggested.
When the cost of a project is
determined, the Authority borrows the
money by floating a bond issue and then
pays off the bonds through the fees
charged to the customers for
installation and use.
And here is the good news. An Authority
charges the customers only what it costs
to operate the service. It is a
non-profit agency carrying out an
enterprise function thereby giving its
customers the best service at the lowest
cost.
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The Authority Board establishes operating and service policies,
approves the annual budget, capital plan, contracts, and performs
other responsibilities typically resting with a board of directors.
The extensive experience of the Board members, including general
business, finance, utility operations, management, corporate affairs,
and community service has provided knowledgeable guidance for the
Authority. A biographical sketch of each Authority Board member is
presented below.
Norman F. "Pete" Stainthorpe, Jr. - Chairman
Mr. Stainthorpe is currently the founder and president of Evergreen Marketing Group, a multi-service marketing firm specializing in publishing, marketing services and sales consulting. Over the past several years he has served on the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors in several capacities, including liaison to the Planning Commission and liaison to the Zoning Hearing Board. He has also been a member of the Board of Supervisors’ Pension Committee and Regional Traffic Planning Task Force. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Stainthorpe holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University.
Joseph J. Ryan - Vice Chairman
Mr. Ryan holds an Associate's degree from Temple University College of Engineering. He is a retired construction field engineer of Philadelphia Gas Works, after 34 years of service. He is a former member of the Bensalem Township Board of Supervisors, Bensalem Township Planning Commission, and Bucks County Board of Health. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Temple University Alumni Association. He is a former President of the Eastern State School Advisory Board.
Jeffrey Bennett - Secretary
Jeffrey Bennett was appointed to the Board in January 2006. Mr. Bennett is an attorney with Bennett & Doherty in Doylestown Township and is also the owner of a title company. In addition, Mr. Bennett is an adjunct professor at Delaware Valley College. Mr. Bennett is currently a member of the Bucks County Committee for Oktoberfest and a member of the Bucks County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Youth Leadership Institute, a Bucks County Non-Profit Organization. Mr. Bennett received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College and his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law. He has been a Doylestown resident for the past seven years and is married with three young children.
Dick Weaver - Treasurer
Richard Weaver is a retired corporate vice president, having held management positions with RCA Corporation, American Cyanamid and the New Jersey Hospital Association. Mr. Weaver is very active in public service, serving on the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors; the Economic Development Council; the Business Development Council; the Joint Municipal Planning Council; and the Financial Planning Commission. In addition, he serves on the Board of Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BACTO) where he serves as chairman of their educational committee. Also active in community service, Mr. Weaver is a Board Member for Good Friends, Inc. and the YMCA Growth and Expansion Board. Mr. Weaver holds a B.S. in Business Administration from LaSalle University and served in the United States Marine Corps. He and his wife Marguerite reside in Newtown.
Dennis Cowley - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Dennis Cowley was appointed to the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority’s Board of Directors in January 2008. Mr. Cowley has more than 35 years experience in the building and construction industry. In 2000, Mr. Cowley became the Organizer with Sprinkler Fitters Local 692. In addition to his service as the Organizer, Mr. Cowley also serves as the Recording Secretary and is on the Joint Apprentice Training Committee for the union. He is a member of the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, and attends meetings with various unions in the Philadelphia area. Presently, he resides in Bucks County with his wife and four children.
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