CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

                                                                     MINUTES

 

                                                               December 20, 2005

 

            The 195th   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, Anthony J. Cutrona Treasurer and Paul Linsen. 

            Absent: None

           

            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 November 15, 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                                                                     $97,600.46                 

                        Receipts                                                                                          4,252.58

                        Balance                                                                                    $101,853.04

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $17,021.81

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                      0.00

                        Dividends                                                                                         86.63                  

                        Balance                                                                                    $17,108.44

 

            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.  2005 Audit - A proposal has been received from Merves, Amon and Barsz to audit the financial records of the Sewer Authority for the year ending December 31, 2005.  The proposal states they would expect to begin the audit on approximately May 1, 2006 and to issue a report no later than June 30, 2006.   The proposal is to complete the audit at a cost not to exceed $6,000.  The proposal will be reviewed and considered for acceptance at the January 18, 2006 meeting. 

 

If the proposal is accepted, Mrs. Taylor said she will have the materials to be audited to Merves, Amon and Barsz prior to May 1, 2006.

 

2.  Delinquent Account - Mrs. Taylor informed the board members of a seriously delinquent residential account.  She explained that the owners of the property had paid faithfully for several years, but the last payment received was posted on January 8, 2005.  After discussion, the board members agreed that Mr. Mezzanotte should send a letter requesting payment.  Mrs. Taylor will provide Mr. Mezzanotte with the names and address of the property owners.  

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

No discussion

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:      

Invoices for December 20, 2005 totaling $12,401.54 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $4,313.04 for Ridings Plant operating expenses, $8,088.50 for administrative and professional services.

 

After review, the bill list in the amount of $12,401.54 was approved for payment, by unanimous vote, on a motion made and seconded (Del Rossi/Murray). 

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

 

1.         Raven Crest Homeowners Appeal - Mr. Mezzanotte noted that he received an order from the judge acknowledging that he understood the matter had been resolved and that he’s giving the parties until some time in January to get formal paperwork to him.

 

2.         RRE Phase II Easements - The agreements for the easements are prepared and are ready for signatures. 

 

3.         Wexcon Contract - Mr. Mezzanotte said that Mr. Smith and Jim Carr of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy have been very responsive in answering his questions regarding the contract.  After some minor wording changes, suggested by Mr. Mezzanotte are made, everything appears to be in order and the contract will be ready for signatures.

 

4.         Hall’s Easement - Because the easement for sewer lines shown on the subdivision plan appears to be much more than will be required for the sewer line, relinquishing that part not needed was discussed.   Mr. Mezzanotte said, because the easement is shown on a subdivision plan, and was granted at the request of the township, the township should probably sign off on any relinquishment.  After further discussion, Mr. Mezzanotte said if

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4.someone could get the legal description of the easement area to him, he would prepare the paperwork necessary to get the adjustment made.   Chairman Del Rossi said he would call Kelly Engineers and ask for the legal description.

 

            Following his report, Mr. Mezzanotte noted this was the last report he would be giving in the presence of Mr. Murray as a board member.  He said he hoped he has an opportunity later to say a few words regarding Mr. Murray’s service as a Sewer Authority member.     

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

 

The written report was reviewed by Mr. Smith.

 

•           Construction of Heyburn Road-Raven Drive sewers - SSM has received and reviewed the documents from Wexcon and will make any changes in the contract that Mr. Mezzanotte suggests.

 

•           Ridings Plant - Responding to a request from Mr. Murray at last month’s meeting, Mr. Smith will include in his monthly report, a review of the records of the plant.  In reviewing the November flows for the RWWTP, the maximum daily flow was .068 mgd, average daily flow was .035, all less than the permitted .080, with no exceedences.  The Chapter 94 projections are for the plant to be approaching capacity within five years.  Mr. Smith said it might be in order to consider a re-rating of the plant. 

 

$          SSM 2006 Rates and Chapter 94 Report - Attached to Mr. Smith’s report, was the rate schedule for 2006.  Mr. Smith also said the preparation of the Chapter 94 Report for 2005 would be billed the same as last year, with the 2006 published rates, but a not-to-exceed budget of $4,654.

 

$          Developers’ Submittal - SSM will continue to review developers’ submittal as authorized by the CFTSA.

 

$          Ridge Associates - Another copy of the Planning Module for this project has been received by Mr. Smith and Mrs. Taylor.  It appears to be the same as previously received copies.

 

$          Composite Sampler - Chairman Del Rossi said the sampler at the Ridings Plant is not working properly and needs to be replaced.  He asked Mr. Smith if the plant needs the composite sampler.  Chairman Del Rossi said it will cost approximately $1,500 to repair the current one and $1,600 for a new sampler.  Mr. Smith said he would check it out and email Chairman Del Rossi what is required.

 

$          RRE Project Phase 2 - Mr. Linsen asked how soon construction will begin.  He expressed concern regarding cash flows.  It was explained that cash will be required as the project progresses.  It will not all be needed at one time. 

 

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            At this time Mr. Murray turned over to Chairman Del Rossi the keys to: the sewer plant, the electric meter at the Woodland Pump Station, the two inside gates at the Ridings plant, and a uniform key as well. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

$          Meeting dates for 2006 were reviewed.  Sewer Authority meetings will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of each month except January and September.  The dates for those months are January 18 and September 20, 2006.  Any other changes will be advertised as required. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

$          Letters planned to be sent to the property owners in the RRE Phase 2 area were discussed.  Mrs. Taylor will prepare a draft to be reviewed before being sent out.

 

$          Mr. Mezzanotte, responding to a question regarding the State Grant approved to be used for the RRE Project Phase 2, suggested the best way to apply the funds would be to adjust the tapping fee.

 

JAMES J. MURRAY:

            Chairman Del Rossi thanked Mr. Murray for his help and presented him with a plaque recognizing his twelve years of dedicated service to the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority.  Mr. Murray thanked everyone and said he enjoyed his years serving on the board.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary

 

            Following the meeting, a surprise coffee and cake reception was held to honor James Murray for his many years of volunteered service to Chadds Ford Township.  Those attending included current members of the Sewer Authority, Mr. Mezzanotte, Mr. Smith, former SA Engineer Angelika Forndran, several former members of the Authority who served on the board with Mr. Murray, members of the CFT Board of Supervisors, CFT Engineer James C. Kelly, Code Enforcement Officer Richard Jensen, CFT Secretary/Treasurer Maryann Furlong and other friends from the community. 

 

            Garry Paul CFT BOS liaison to the Sewer Authority presented Mr. Murray with an engraved award commending Mr. Murray for his longtime service to Chadds Ford Township.  Mr. Mezzanotte honored Mr. Murray with several humorous comments.