Commissioner Dennis Reinaker cast the lone dissenting vote.
"It disappoints me that my colleagues are going forward with this tonight," Reinaker said. "There's no reason we can't wait."
The vote authorizes township officials to enter a sales agreement with LASA for the township's sewer system.
LASA will pay $25.5 million up front for the township's 160 miles of sewer lines and six pumping stations, plus another $6.2 million to be paid over 20 years.
Smith said selling the system to LASA is in the best interest of sewer customers in the township because the system needs expensive upgrades that LASA will pay for while guaranteeing to freeze sewer rates in the township for the next 20 years.
"We've got a promise on a piece of paper here saying there will be no increase in rates, and I'm telling you we're going to raise rates next year if we keep it," Smith said.
Some residents who attended Monday's meeting pleaded with the commissioners to delay a vote on the sale because financial details of the transaction had just been made public on Aug. 25.
"The contract has not been made available to the public," said Larry Gagnon of Santa Barbara Drive. "In order for you to be sure you have the will of the people, you should allow us to review the contract before you vote."
Former commissioner Nelson Rohrer said the sale of the sewer system is the largest transaction the township has ever handled.
"Why not make sure you have it right before you act?" he asked.
Rohrer later questioned why the board believes it cannot run the sewer system effectively, but believes that it should start a miniature golf business to generate revenue for the township.
"You're getting out of an essential service and getting into a leisure service," he said. "What makes you think you'll be any better at (miniature golf)?"
The township recently decided to build a municipally owned and operated miniature golf course on township land along Fruitville Pike.
There was considerable public opposition to that project.
Township resident Larry Downing, running unopposed in the November general election for a seat on the board of commissioners, told the board he could think of no better buyer for the township's sewer system than LASA.
Downing, however, asked the commissioners to delay a vote on the sale so that people in the community could study the information released Aug. 25.
Gordon's vote on the sale surprised several residents in attendance Monday.
On Aug. 25, Gordon said he would abstain from voting because he represents the township on LASA's board of directors.
After the vote, however, Gordon said he changed his mind because Commissioner Harry Ritter was not able to attend Monday's meeting.
"I decided to vote to show the majority position of this board," Gordon said.
"A 2-1 vote would not have shown that majority position as well as a 3-1 vote."
Gordon said he asked LASA solicitor Kathleen Gray for an opinion on whether or not a vote by Gordon would constitute a conflict of interest since Gordon serves both LASA and Manheim Township.
Gordon said Gray informed him in writing that he could vote without creating a conflict because he would not benefit personally or financially from the transaction.
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