CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

                                                                     MINUTES

 

                                                               November 15, 2005

 

            The 194th   meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: Vincent Del Rossi Chairman, James J. Murray Vice Chairman, and Paul Linsen. 

            Absent: Anthony J. Cutrona, Treasurer

           

            Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Esquire, Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer, Garry Paul, CFT BOS and CFT Engineer James C. Kelly, PE.

 

            The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vincent Del Rossi, Chairman.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

$                      None

                       

PUBLIC COMMENT:

$                      None

           

MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the October 18, 2005 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved as written on a motion made and seconded (Del Rossi/Linsen). 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:

           

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $88,622.26                 

                        Receipts                                                                                          10,469.94

                        Balance                                                                                    $99,092.20

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $34,857.52

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                      0.00

                        Dividends                                                                                         137.57                 

                        Balance                                                                                    $34,995.09

 

            Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $237,337.86               

            Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                                     0.00

Dividends                                                                                          0.00      

                          Balance                                                                                  $237,337.86

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1.         2004 Audit - Mrs. Taylor distributed bound copies of the audited financial statements for the years 2003 and 2004.  She noted that, as required, a copy will be sent to the Department of Community and Economic Development.  A copy is also required to be filed with the Township.

2.         2006 Budget - Mr. Cutrona and Mrs. Taylor are working on a preliminary budget for 2006 and will have a proposed budget prepared for consideration at the December meeting.

 

3.         Tremonte Letter of Credit - Mr. Smith has recommended that Mr. Tremonte’s letter of credit be reduced by $52,000. 

 

4.         Holding Tank Maintenance Agreements - As requested by Mr. Jensen, the agreements for Currie and Cosabella hairdressing salons were signed by Chairman Del Rossi.  Discussion followed regarding the proper title for these types of holding tanks, which are permanent rather than temporary.  It was explained that the tanks are used to contain chemicals used by the hairdressing salons, and the contents of the tanks must be pumped and hauled away on a regular basis as described in the agreements.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

Responding to Mr. Murray’s question, Mrs. Taylor said there was one residential customer who usually pays that has not paid for three quarters this year.  She has sent them a letter requesting payment.

 

Mr. Mezzanotte said he would check on the status of the Rullo Assignment of Capacity Agreement.  Mrs. Taylor continues to send the quarterly billing to Mr. and Mrs. Rullo because the Assignment of Capacity Agreement has not been executed indicating the new owner of the capacity.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:      

Invoices for November 15, 2005 totaling $21,072.52 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $8,040.63 for Ridings Plant operating expenses, $13,031.89 for administrative and professional services.

 

After review, the bill list in the amount of $21,072.52 was approved for payment, by unanimous vote, on a motion made and seconded (Del Rossi/Murray). 

 

Chairman Del Rossi asked for clarification of the location of the pumps as listed on the PECO bills.  It was explained that Pump 1 is actually all the electricity used at the Ridings Plant.  The other three pumps are the pump stations.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

 

1.         RRE Phase II Easements - Mr. Mezzanotte has prepared agreements for the sewer easements as described by Kelly Engineers.  One property needs further research and Mr. Mezzanotte has requested a copy of the deed to verify ownership.  When that information

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1.is obtained, he will see that Chairman Del Rossi receives a copy of all the agreements.  Arrangements will then be made to hand deliver the agreements to the property owners and have them signed, notarized and recorded. 

 

Responding to Mr. Hall’s question, Mr. Mezzanotte said he would start the process of having those sections of the sewer easements shown on the plat plans for Mr. Hall’s and Mr. DiSabatino’s properties, but not needed for the sewer lines, removed from the plans.

2.         Water leak at CCMC - Copies of a letter from Cori Realtors to Mr. Mezzanotte explained that a plumber determined that the excessive water use for this property was caused by water leaks.  In particular, the water supply to one sink was not shutting off properly.  The water was running constantly.  The plumber noted that this would account for the very high water use over the last few months.  The Authority members said the water use for this property should be monitored closely for the next quarter to determine if this, in fact, was the cause of the unusually high water use.

 

3.         Raven Crest Homeowners Association Appeal -  It appears that a settlement between the Association and the Township has been reached. 

 

4.         Duffy/McCann - Mr. Mezzanotte explained to those present that the unsigned document sent to Chairman Del Rossi from one of the property owners does not obligate the Sewer Authority to make any repairs to the lateral even if the document was properly executed.

           

Further discussion followed regarding sewer line and access easements in that area.  Final subdivision plans of Ridings I will be reviewed to clarify where the easements are located

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

Before Mr. Smith reviewed his written report, Mr. Murray asked if he reads the copies of the lab reports from Applied Water Management showing BOD and TSS levels.  Mr. Smith said when the reports are received, they are filed.  Mr. Murray suggested that Mr. Smith should review the reports and notify the Board when they are outside acceptable limits.  Mr. Smith said he would do that. 

 

The written report was then reviewed by Mr. Smith.

•           Construction of Heyburn Road-Raven Drive sewers - Wexcon, the apparent low bidder, has secured the required performance and payment bonds and insurance documents, completed their portion of the Agreement, and returned them to SSM for review.  We have reviewed the documents and are delivering them to the Sewer Authority and John Mezzanotte for final review and signature. 

 

Mr. Smith said he recommends accepting the Agreement from Wexcon pending Mr. Mezzanotte’s review.  Paul Linsen made a motion to authorize Mr. Mezzanotte and Chairman Del Rossi to review the Agreement documents, and pending their approval,

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authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement.  The motion was seconded by Chairman Del Rossi and passed unanimously. 

 

Chairman Del Rossi said he had been asked about the location of the connections of the laterals to the sewer main.  Mrs. Taylor said in previous projects, stakes were given to the property owners to be placed where they wanted the connection to be.  Mr. Smith said he has a letter regarding this that can be sent to the property owners.  He will email the letter to Mrs. Taylor, who will put it on Sewer Authority letterhead and mail it to the property owners.

 

•           Tremonte - Sewer installation is complete, and is in the process of final testing of one manhole, and preparation of record drawings.  Mr. Smith authorized a reduction in the construction Funds Available for Withdrawal to $5,200 and a release of money from the cash account, so as to leave $1,600 available for engineering billings at completion.

 

•           Applied Water Management - The agreement submitted with the Applied Water Management proposal has been reviewed, and found to be in keeping with the engineer’s request, with a reasonable annual increase in costs from the existing contract.  The length of contract can be changed to one, rather that two years, with AWM knowledge and consent.  Mr. Mezzanotte was asked to review the latest revised documents.

 

•           AWWTP Inspections - SSM has inspected the treatment plants within the Township jurisdiction on September 22nd.   Copies of the reports were distributed.  Mr. Smith noted that the NPDES permits for the Ridings Plant and Springhill Farm Plant will be expiring and will need to be renewed.  He also noted that the plants at Pantos and Raven Crest will soon be decommissioned, and their flow will be directed to other plants.

 

•           Toll Brothers - SSM will continue to review developer submittals as authorized by the CFTSA. Toll Brothers has continued to request our participation in review of their project, and we will do so.

 

$          Ridge Associates - Mr. Smith has completed the required sections of the planning module for this project and it is ready for signing by the Authority.  After a brief review by Mr. Mezzanotte, the planning module was signed by Chairman Del Rossi. 

 

•           Ridings Plant Re-rating - In reviewing the flows for Ridings WWTP, the projections are for the plant to be approaching capacity within five years.  As a result of the continued growth in the service area, SSM recommends a preliminary investigation into plant unit processes to determine the potential for plant re-rating to accept additional flows.

            The process for having the plant re-rated was explained by Mr. Smith. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

$          Applied Water Management Contract - Mr. Mezzanotte explained some of the changes that were made to the revised contract.  After discussion, Chairman Del Rossi signed the contract on behalf of the Sewer Authority.

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$

$          Steward Property Sinkhole - Responding to Chairman Del Rossi’s question, Mr. Murray said he is sure the problem is with the water line and not the sewer line.  If this is the case and if there is a sinkhole, it would be Chester Water Authority’s responsibility not the Sewer Authority’s.  Chairman Del Rossi will follow up on this.

 

$          Manhole work - Chairman Del Rossi asked about the manhole on Smithbridge Road that needs to be raised and the one on Ridge Road that is to have a bolt-down cover installed.  Mr. Murray said the materials needed to do the work were purchased some time ago but the contractor has not done the work.  Chairman Del Rossi said he will call a contractor that said he could do both jobs and he will ask him for a price to do the necessary work.  Mr. Smith will see about getting any required Penn DOT permits that might be needed to do this work.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

$          Springhill Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant - A letter has been drafted to Springhill Farm Homeowners Association asking if they would be interested in discussing the possibility of Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority leasing or purchasing their wastewater treatment plant.  Chairman Del Rossi noted the letter just asks if they would be interested in discussing the possibility there is no proposal being offered.  Some possible revision to the wording was discussed.  It was agreed that the letter can be sent.

 

$          Tapping Fee for RRE Phase 2 - A workshop is planned to discuss the tapping fee for this project.   The tapping fee will have to be in conformance with the new Act 57 regulations.  Mr. Mezzanotte explained some of the points that will have to be considered.

 

$          Sand Filter Room at RWWTP - Applied Water Management has recommended that the sand filter room be relined.  Mr. Murray agreed that this needs to be done and Chairman Del Rossi said he would check for a price on this.  He also noted that a heater has been ordered and will be installed. 

 

OTHER MATTERS:

$          Woodland Pump Station Generator - The operator had called to say the oil needed to be changed and that the sight glass was unreadable.  Chairman Del Rossi said he authorized Applied Water Management to have the work done.   It was later determined that the contract includes this maintenance and authorization from the Chairman was not needed.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary