The absence of the Pennsylvania-American Water Co. at the State College Borough Council meeting Tuesday night left a hole in the council's agenda.

The Pennsylvania-American Water Co., based in Hershey, had originally offered $24.5 million to $26 million to acquire the water authority that serves 47,500 people in the Centre Region.

But council members received a letter from Pennsylvania-American stating that after their most recent work session, it was decided that neither the water company nor the borough council were at a point in their discussions to negotiate.

The borough's water authority, which now serves State College and portions of Patton, Ferguson, Harris and College townships, charges $17 a month to customers using 5,000 gallons of water per month. Under operation by the Pennsylvania-American, those customers would be charged $27 a month, with the increases being phased in throughout several years.

Council President Jean McManis said at a work session before the council's meeting that she is anxious to get the matter resolved. And Ruth Lavin, a council member, agreed because she said the water authority staff will be concerned until some agreement is reached.

At the work session, the council decided to discuss the water authority matter at their next work session.