SMETHPORT (EC) – The dispute between the McKean County Solid
Waste Authority and County Commissioners apparently could reach a
peaceful conclusion before the end of the year.

Chairman of Commissioners John Egbert said Friday that the
county’s Erie law firm is preparing a “draft agreement” that
apparently is based upon compromises acceptable to the
authority.

Egbert called the draft “simple and straightforward” and said
that he had discussed the draft with SWA Chairman Mike Holtz.

Commissioners had earlier sent Holtz a letter outlining
solutions for three points of contention, and Holtz tentatively
approved them

“I’m confident we are in position to reach agreement on
dissolution of the authority and other major issues,” Egbert
said.

While Egbert declined to reveal what the points of the agreement
are, they almost certainly include some agreement on money to be
refunded to the municipalities, as well as assurances that the
county will benefit from the terms of the sale agreement with
Rustick, even if the authority is dissolved.

Commissioners have long been adamant that the authority is
superfluous and should disband.

Commissioners earlier this week sent a letter to the authority
suggesting several dates when the two boards might meet
face-to-face to hammer out their differences, and a tentative
meeting date of Dec. 27 was agreed upon.

In light of Friday’s announcement, that meeting could become a
ratification session to make formal an agreement to end the dispute
over control of the money left over from the sale of the
landfill.

Egbert emphasized that the draft is an agreement in principle
and that many details and matters of language will still have to be
worked out, apparently with the help of attorneys.

Dec. 27 is also the date of the monthly commissioners’
meeting.