CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

                                                                     MINUTES

 

                                                               November 16, 2004

 

            The 183rd meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: James J. Murray, Chairman, Vincent Del Rossi, Vice Chairman, John Spoehr, Secretary, Anthony J. Cutrona, Treasurer and Paul Linsen. 

            Absent: None

           

            Also in attendance were Thomas R. Smith, PE, Garry Paul, CFT BOS, and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

            The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by James Murray, Chairman

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

            None

                       

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None

 

MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the October 19, 2004 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Del Rossi/Cutrona).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:

           

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                      $1,000.00                  

                        Receipts                                                                                          8,365.14

                        Balance                                                                                     $9,365.14

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $40,673.65

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                      8,365.14                     

                        Dividends                                                                                         44.47      

                        Balance                                                                                    $49,083.26

 

 

            Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $324,196.67

            Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                              ------.--

                 Dividends                                                                     ------.--                    Balance                                                                                         $324,196.67

class=Section3>

Mrs. Taylor reported:

1.         Revisions to Account Balances - Additions and corrections to the revised Treasurer’s Report were explained.

 

2.         St. Cornelius School Meter Calibration - There has been no response regarding the annual re-calibrating of the water meters as required.

 

            Chairman Murray discussed the need to include late fees on all outstanding balances in Aged Accounts Receivable.  Mrs. Taylor explained that overdue quarterly user charges always were included a late fee but she would begin to add the 10% annual interest to all invoices not paid when due.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:      

            Invoices totaling $18,658.94 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $13,980.26 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $4,678.68 for administrative and professional services.   After review, the bill list was unanimously approved for payment as presented on a motion made and seconded (Cutrona/Spoehr).

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte was not present at tonight’s meeting.  Chairman Murray reviewed:

1.         Kids First - A date is to be set for connecting this property to the public sewer.   Kids First owes the Sewer Authority a tapping fee for this 1 edu connection and the Sewer Authority owes Kids First for the construction of the sewer line in the easement through their parking lot.  The agreed upon amount will be paid from the Sewer Authority tapping fee account.

 

2.         Tremonte Developer’s Agreement - The Developer’s Agreement includes a revised escrow amount based on the actual quote from the contractor.  Mr. Smith explained that once the agreement is signed a pre-construction meeting will be scheduled with Mr. Tremonte to discuss the construction schedule, submittal, etc.

 

1.         Unconnected properties - The status of the properties in the Longview, Woodland Summit Extension area that have not connected to the public sewer was reviewed.  Mr. Smith is preparing to have these properties connected, and it was noted that the property owners will be responsible for all costs relating to the connections.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            At Chairman Murray’s request, Mrs. Taylor reviewed the Accounts Receivables.  Mrs. Taylor was advised to add interest to all aged accounts receivable. 

            Mr. Cutrona suggested that letters regarding the transfer of capacity for the two recently sold Rappucci properties be sent to all parties involved.

            The letter from Mr. Moyer relating to the payment due for the annual inspection of the Raven Crest Wastewater Treatment Plant will be referred to Mr. Mezzanotte.

class=Section4>

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mr. Smith reviewed his written report.  

 

1.         RRE Phase 2 - In accordance with the board’s direction at last month’s meeting, a modified application for permit and a new set of documents showing only Alternate 1 have been submitted.  Alternate 1 shows a complete low pressure sewer system for the Heyburn Road-Raven Crest sewer collection system extension.

                       

                        An additional $400 permit fee is required for DEP and a $210 fee is required for          

Penn DOT.  Mr. Smith has prepared a new schedule for the project showing construction To start on March 3, 2005.  Construction is dependent upon a satisfactorily resolution of the legal action by the Raven Crest Homeowner Association and approval for a Construction Permit by DEP.  The importance of the timing of the Tremonte development was explained. 

                       

The status of the residents’ appeal of the DEP approval of the Act 537 plan revision was discussed.   Mr. Paul asked if DEP has put a hold on the project plan review.  Mr. Smith said he doesn’t feel they will give approval for the plan until the citizens’ appeal is settled.  It is understood that the permit review should not be stopped unless a supercedeas is filed.  Mr. Smith said, if he has a feel that DEP does not plan to proceed with the plan review in a timely manner, he will contact Mr. Mezzanotte. 

 

Mr. Spoehr reminded those present, if the Ridge Road Phase 2 project does not stay on the projected time line, the tapping fee will very likely increase.

 

2.         Toll Brothers - There has been no activity since last month on the Toll Brothers

Turners Mill Wastewater Treatment Plant.  DEP has indicated the nitrogen and phosphorous requirement will be higher than can be obtained by conventional activated sludge plant and will probably require a tertiary treatment plant of some type.  The exact treatment process, equipment and tankage necessary will be designed by Toll Brothers, and reviewed and approved by SSM.

           

            3.         Chadds Ford Village - Mr. Smith asked if a copy of the aerial plan of the Chadds Ford Village, done some time ago, was available.  Mr. Murray said he had not been able to reach Mr. Heisler, but he would try again.

 

3.         Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant - Due to the impact that excessive flows have on the plant capacity and the reporting requirements of Chapter 94, Mr. Smith asked the Authority to consider an investigation of the treatment plant, to include the feasibility of modifications to the weir and effluent configuration to eliminate stream backup into the plant and to investigate the feasibility of a

class=Section5>

3.holding or equalization tank for influent surges into the plant.  This work will be considered when working on the 2005 budget.

 

4.         St. Cornelius School - Mr. Smith has drafted a letter to notify the church of water meter calibration requirements for measuring flows for billing purposes.  Mrs. Taylor will include the manufacturers’ name and address for each meter when she sends the letter.

 

5.         Action Items -

 

$                                  Continue to assist in investigations into the quantity and quality of wastewater entering Ridings WWTP.  Provide specifications for manhole and sewer maintenance and improvements.

 

$                                  Work on the required development of new Tapping Fees, based on the new PA Act 57 regulations.   Mr. Cutrona asked if this will impact the budget for 2005.  Because the new information is not available at this time, it was decided that the current figures would be used for the 2005 Budget.

                                   

$                                  Work with solicitor to install a laterals at two properties in the LSWSS area as authorized and required by ordinance.

 

$                                  Prepare to meet with Tremonte Builders for a pre-construction conference and provide inspection services during the installation of sewers in the development.

                       

OTHER MATTERS:

$                      Mrs. Taylor reminded the Board that she believes there are three or four properties in the LSWSS Extension area that have paid the tapping fee and pay the quarterly user fees but have not connected their properties to the public sewer system.  After discussion, the Board asked Mrs. Taylor to contact the Sewage Enforcement Officer to determine if the properties are connected and, if not, to enforce the Township Ordinance that requires the property owner to do so.

 

$                      Mr. Cutrona asked for an explanation of why the RRE Phase 2 plan shows one house on the western side of Heyburn Road connected to the system.  Chairman Murray said he too wondered why and would suggest that it be removed from the plan for this project.  Mr. Smith said it would be an expensive connection for just one property, but the plan, originally prepared by the previous engineer showed this property to be included.  To include the plan would require 2 easements and a road crossing and would not be cost effective.  Mr. Cutrona made a motion to revise the plans to eliminate this property from the RRE Phase 2 plan.  Mr. Del

class=Section6>

$Rossi seconded the motion and discussion followed.   Mr. Smith was asked to call Mr. Kelly to see if the Authority would be obligated to include this plan due to inclusion in the Act 537 plan revision for this project.  Mrs. Taylor was asked to call the Sewage Enforcement Officer to inquire if he has any history of sewage problems at this property.  Following discussion the motion was tabled until next month’s meeting.

 

$                      Chairman Murray recommended that the Board begin working on updating the specifications for the Operation and Maintenance Contract for 2006.  The current contract will terminate the end of 2005.  Mr. Linsen and Mr. Del Rossi volunteered to work in this project.

 

$                      Mr. Spoehr was asked to see about having the broken window at the plant repaired.  He agreed to take care of this.

 

$                      Mr. Paul reviewed the status of the state grant application.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary