MINUTES
The 185th meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer
Authority was held on this date in the
Present: James J. Murray,
Chairman, Vincent Del Rossi, Vice Chairman, Anthony J. Cutrona, Treasurer, Paul
G. Linsen and newly appointed member Frederick B. Hodapp. Also in attendance were
The meeting was called to order
at
Chairman Murray began the
meeting by recognizing the importance to the township of volunteers such as
Frederick B. Hodapp was then
introduced as the new member of the Sewer Authority. Mr. Hodapp’s term runs through
Angelika B. Forndran, PE, former
Authority Engineer, has sent a planter to Chairman Murray in recognition of his
years of service to the Authority, most recently as Chairman. Chairman Murray has indicated he would not
accept chairmanship of the Authority during this, the final, year of his
current term. Ms. Forndran had
telephoned Mrs. Taylor earlier in the day and asked her to read aloud, at
tonight’s meeting, the card sent with the planter. Mrs. Taylor read, “Congratulations! You walked through muck and mire, and
challenged the contractors for hire. You
devoted your time night and day. May
your next endeavor be rewarding in every way.”
The card was signed, Angelika Forndran.
REORGANIZATION:
Chairman Murray nominated
Vincent Del Rossi as Chairman. There
being no other nominations, the nominations were closed and Mr. Del Rossi was
elected Chairman by unanimous vote.
Mr. Del Rossi assumed the
Chairmanship and nominated the following:
Vice
Chairman - James J. Murray
Secretary
- Frederick B. Hodapp
Treasurer
- Anthony J. Cutrona
There being no other nominations
for these positions, the nominations were closed and those
nominated were elected by
unanimous vote.
The following appointments were made by unanimous vote:
Solicitor -
Engineer -
Thomas R. Smith, P.E. of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy at an annual retainer fee of
$2,300 billed monthly, and hourly rates for services as stated in the SSM 2005
Municipal Rate Schedule.
Secretary/Treasurer
- Sabina J. Taylor at a rate of $20 per hour.
Depository
for Funds - Wachovia and PLGIT.
Auditor -
Merves, Amon and Barsz (No fee set for the 2004 Audit.).
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
MINUTES:
There being no additions or
corrections, the minutes of the
TREASURER’S REPORT:
The
Treasurer’s Report was read. Account
balances were reported as follows:
General Fund Account
Beginning Balance $1,000.00
Receipts
38,774.76
Balance $39,774.76
PLGIT Account - ROA
Beginning Balance $29,494.69
Transfer from Wachovia
ROA 38,774.76
Dividends
51.30
Balance $68,320.75
PLGIT/Plus
Account - Tapping Fee Account
Beginning Balance $324,196.67
Receipts - Transfer from
Wachovia 0.00
Dividends
1,463.52
Balance $325,660.19
Mrs.
Taylor noted that the PLGIT Tapping Fee Account is currently paying 2.02% in
interest.
Financial
Statements for the year 2004 were distributed to each member. They are to be filled out and returned to
Mrs. Taylor to be kept on file as required.
Signature
cards for PLGIT and Wachovia checking accounts were updated with current check
signers names and signatures. The
Resolution naming Wachovia as a depository for Authority Funds will be
presented for consideration at next month’s meeting.
2003 Audit - Mr. Cutrona
distributed to the members bound copies of the completed 2003 Audit. The Authority is now current regarding the
annual audit. Mr. Cutrona explained that
the 2004 Audit may need to be done earlier than the usual July 1 deadline. The audit of 2004 financial records may be
required by the bank if the Authority needs to seek financing for the RRE Phase
2 project. Mr. Cutrona explained the
type of financing discussed with Commerce Bank several months ago was a short
term construction loan to be repaid with tapping fees. When it is determined whether or not
financing will be necessary for this project, further discussion will be
necessary.
2005 Budget - Adoption of the
proposed budget for 2005 was tabled until next month’s meeting.
ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE:
Mrs.
Taylor reviewed the outstanding accounts receivable. She pointed out that late fees are being
added to all overdue accounts.
It
was noted that Mr. Rappucci has not completed the Conveyance of Capacity to the
new owners of the two recently sold properties on Wilmington-West Chester
Pike. Mr. Mezzanotte will get in touch
with Mr. Rappucci regarding this.
ACCOUNTS
PAYABLE:
Invoices totaling $20,200.51 were
presented for payment. These invoices
include $4,196.66 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $16,003.85 for
administrative and professional services.
After review, the bill list was unanimously approved for payment as
presented on a motion made and seconded (Cutrona/Murray).
SOLICITOR’S
REPORT:
1. LSWSS -Residential Tapping Fee Not Paid
- In anticipation of proceeding with foreclosure on the lien the Authority has
placed on this property, a judgement and
1.mortgage search has been done. A copy of the report has been sent to Mr.
Murray, former Sewer Authority Chairman.
2. Kids First - A revised agreement
has been sent to the attorney for Kids First.
It is anticipated a Kids First representative will sign the agreement
and return it to Mr. Mezzanotte, within the next few days, for Sewer Authority
signatures.
In
response to a question, Mrs. Taylor said she completed the paperwork necessary
for Kids First to apply for a connection permit and Mr. Jensen issued the
permit. It is not known whether or not
the facility is actually connected as of this date.
Mr.
Murray asked about the decommissioning of the holding tanks. Mrs. Taylor said Mr. Jensen provided
information regarding this to the person representing Kids First. She said she believes Mr. Jensen or someone
from Kelly Engineers will be the person to do the required inspections.
3. Letter from Applied Water Management
- At Mr. Murray’s request a retraction letter has been received from Applied
Water Management relating to a letter sent to the Authority dated
In
response to the letters, Mr. Mezzanotte will draft a letter to Applied Water
Management indicating that a hoist is on site and is to be used when
necessary. Reversing of the pumps by
potentially unsafe electrical practices is not to be done. Chairman Del Rossi and Mr. Murray plan to
look into having drum switches installed to reverse the pumps when they become
clogged.
4. Eckman Pump Station - To help eliminate some of the I & I at
this site, it has been suggested that the top of the manhole needs to be raised
and the area graded to divert water away from the manhole. Mr. Murray suggested he meet with the
Eckmans, after a plan is prepared, to discuss the work to be done. The board members agreed with Mr. Murray’s
suggestion.
5. Bluehouse Antiques - The tapping
fee has been received, but it has not been determined if capacity has been
purchased. Mr. Mezzanotte has notified
the owner of the property of the obligation to purchase capacity.
ENGINEERS
REPORT:
Mr.
Hood distributed copies of Mr. Smith’s written report. The report was then reviewed.
1.0
Work Progress
$ RRE Phase 2 - A Part II Construction
Permit SEW#2304402 was issued by DEP on
$
$ Toll Brothers Project - During the
past month SSM has reviewed the plans for the sewer main along Route 1. There is no information on the pumping
station within Camp Sunset Hill, nor on the connection to the Pantos WWTP. Toll Brothers has called a planning meeting
scheduled for Friday, January 21st at Kelly Engineers offices to
discuss toll Brothers request to DEP for a modification of the discharge
requirements at the planned WWTP.
2.0
Action Items for SSM
$ Chapter 94 Report - SSM requests
authorization to prepare the DEP required Chapter 94 Annual Municipal Waste
load Management Report. A Memorandum of
Understanding was attached to the Engineer’s Report describing the scope of
work and an estimated fee of $2,000.
Mr.
Hood explained some of the additional information DEP is requiring in the
annual reports. As an example, he noted
they are putting more emphasis on what is being done for better I & I
control. On a motion by James Murray,
seconded by Tony Cutrona, Spotts, Stevens and McCoy was authorized to prepare
the Chapter 94 report at a cost not to exceed $2,000. The motion passed unanimously.
$ Tapping Fees - Upon future
authorization, to work with the Solicitor and Treasurer on the development of
new Tapping Fees, based on the new PA Act 57 regulations. This work must be completed by June 2005.
$ Tremonte - To meet with Tremonte
developers for a pre-construction conference, and provide full-time inspection
services as needed during the installation of sewers in that development. Payment for this work is provided as part of
the construction escrow in the Developers Agreement.
$ Raven Crest WWTP - Upon future authorization,
to prepare a written plan to shutdown and abandon the Raven Crest WWTP, as
required by the DEP Part II Permit.
OLD
BUSINESS:
St.
Cornelius meter calibration - Mrs. Taylor said she had inquired about the
required calibration and the church secretary said she believed it was done
today. If a report is not received
within the next week, Mrs. Taylor will check again.
None.
OTHER
MATTERS:
$ Mr. Paul reported that the final plan
for the Toll Brothers development will be presented for approval at the
February
$ Mr. Mezzanotte commenting on the RRE
Phase II DEP Permit that has been issued, asked how the condition stating that
the Authority provide details for shut-down and abandonment of the Raven Crest
Wastewater Treatment Plant is to be done.
Mr. Hood responded that a written plan would be prepared indicating how
the plant is to be shut-down. He also
noted that the cost to shut the plant down would be at the current owners’
expense. The same procedure will also
probably be appropriate for shutting down the Pantos Plant.
ADJOURNMENT:
The
meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary