The sale of Chester’s water assets should go to whoever bids the highest, whether they’re a private or public entity, say the city’s retirees.
State-appointed receiver Michael Doweary, working to get Chester out of bankruptcy, has a plan to sell the city’s water assets to an outside vendor but limits them to public entities only, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.
The assets are currently controlled by the Chester Water Authority, the city’s Stormwater Authority and the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA).
The CWA considers itself to be independent from the city and has strongly opposed any plan to sell the water assets.
Limiting bidding to public entities is the “best way to address Chester’s financial issues while at the same time addressing the interests of all the parties involved,” according to Vijay Kapoor, receiver chief of staff.
The city’s largest creditor group, the Chester Official Retiree Committee, representing retired fire, police and office city employees, disagrees.
“If they’re going to monetize these assets, we want to make sure they get maximum dollars for this and we think they’ve limited themselves if they’re only looking at public entities,” said Chuck Bolgunas, retired battalion chief with the Chester Fire Department.
Read more about the ongoing reactions to Chester’s bankruptcy plan at WHYY.
