CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

                                                                     MINUTES

 

                                                                February 21, 2006

 

The 197th   meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: Vincent Del Rossi, Chairman, Paul G. Linsen, Vice Chairman, Keith C. Klaver, Secretary, and Marc S. Altman.

 

Absent: Anthony J. Cutrona

 

Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Thomas R. Smith, PE of SSM, Garry Paul, CFT BOS liaison, and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

1.         On February 9, 2006, several Authority members met to discuss the format for setting the tapping fee at a later time.

 

2.         Responses have been received from Wachovia Bank, Sovereign Bank and Commerce Bank concerning a loan to refinance the current loan with Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority.

 

Responding to a question from the Chairman, Mr. Mezzanotte said the decision regarding the new loan, must be made at a public meeting. 

 

A brief history of the current loan was given in response to a question from Marriette Tobin.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

1.         Marriette Tobin, 190 Ridge Road, asked why the plan for RRE Phase II was changed.  Chairman Del Rossi and Mr. Smith, explained some minor changes that were made to the plan.  Mrs. Tobin viewed the current plan and was pleasantly surprised when she was told the cost of the required grinder pump will be part of the tapping fee, not an additional cost. 

 

Chairman Del Rossi said a mailing would go out this week with all the information regarding the grinder pump and if there are any questions, he or Mr. Smith would be happy to answer them.

 

2.         John Tobin, 190 Ridge Road, said he feels the extension of the Ridge Road Phase II

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2.project to his property is unfair and asked to whom he should appeal.  Mr. Mezzanotte responded that Mr. Tobin should consult his attorney about this.   

 

MINUTES:

The minutes, last revised February 21, 2006 (4:30pm), of the January 18, 2006 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Altman/Linsen).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

The Treasurer’s Report was read.  Account balances were reported as follows:

            General Fund Account

                                    Beginning Balance                                                                 $125,136.20

                                    Receipts                                                                                               7,506.50

                                    Balance                                                                                $132,642.70

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $5,499.87

                        Transfer from Wachovia ROA                                                  10,000.00

                        Transfer from PLGIT tapping fee - Wexcon #1                           8,049.38

                        Dividends                                                                                                   36.82

                        Balance                                                                                              $23,586.07

 

PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                            $239,650.70

Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                                   0.00

                                         Dividends                                                                           0.00

                        Transfer from Tapping Fee Account                                                      8,049.38

                        Balance                                                                                           $231,601.32

 

Mr. Klaver asked for an accounting of the money spent so far on RRE Phase II.  Mrs. Taylor said she would see that Mr. Klaver receives a copy of that information.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:       

Invoices totaling $20,784.79 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $11,770.98 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $9,013.81 for administrative and professional services.   After review, the bill list was unanimously approved for payment as presented on a motion made and seconded (Altman/Klaver).

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

No report for this meeting.                   

 

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SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

1.         Status of the Easements for RRE Phase II - These are all in place, but there are some details to be worked out with one property.  

 

2.         Tremonte Letter of Credit - Mr. Mezzanotte said he has received a call from Sovereign Bank regarding Mr. Tremonte’s request that his letter of credit be released.  Mr. Mezzanotte explained that there were still some contractual requirements before the letter of credit is released.  Mr. Smith said there are still some items remaining before the project is considered complete and reviewed what needs to be done.

 

3.         Gortian Assignment of Capacity - Mr. Mezzanotte presented Assignment of Capacity documents to be signed for the Gortian property.  He explained the capacity has been assigned and approved, the agreement has been signed by the property owners and now only needs to be signed by Chairman Del Rossi. 

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

1.         RRE Phase II - A preconstruction meeting was held on January 18th.  The low-pressure sewer system project is now underway.  Wexcon, Inc. of Mohrsville is the Contractor.  SSM inspector Gerry Weinsteiger is inspecting the work.  Mr. Smith noted the contractor is boring under some driveways which should save some on repaving. 

 

2.         Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant - The monthly report for December shows the maximum daily flow at 0.066 MGD; average daily flow 0.038 MGD, with no permit exceedences.  An automatic sampler has arrived on-site.  The motive pump was sent out for repairs, and the spare pump was installed on January 28,2006.  The front gate has been repaired.  Drywall panels in the sand filter building, and electrical outlets on the catwalk have been repaired.

 

3.         Toll Brothers/Turner’s Mill - At the January 5, 2006 meeting with Toll Brothers, a scenario was presented wherein flow from the development would be temporarily pumped and hauled to Manhole I-43 for the wastewater to be treated in the Ridings Plant.  This practice would discontinue once the Turner’s Mill Plant comes on-line and has sufficient flow to establish its own biological treatment.  SSM is working to develop the necessary pump-and-haul Agreement.  Responding to a question regarding financial arrangements for the proposed pump-and-haul, Mr. Smith said that would be part of the Agreement.

           

4.         Toll Brothers - SSM is performing Inspection Services for Toll Brothers sanitary sewers, and performing other tasks to review developer submittals as authorized by the CFTSA.

 

RIDINGS WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT:

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Safety issues at the Ridings WWTP were discussed and Chairman Del Rossi noted that drum switches to reverse the motive pumps will be installed tomorrow.   The electrician will also install additional  receptacles and check out the problem with the decant pump.  An electric heater will also be repaired tomorrow. 

 

The report of the plant operator indicates the potable water at the plant is in poor condition.  Chairman Del Rossi has contacted someone to replace the current filtering system with a self cleaning Lakos separator. 

 

TAPPING FEE:

Mr. Smith attached to his written report for this meeting, a revised Construction Cost Estimate for the RRE Phase II Project.   In response to questions regarding the tapping fee, Chairman Del Rossi gave a brief review of some of the costs to be considered in calculating the tapping fee.  It was also noted that the $110,000 grant from DEP is approved but the Authority does not have the money yet. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

$          Mr. Linsen expressed his concerns over what the Sewer Authority’s obligations are regarding the recent amendments to The Municipal Authorities Act.  Mr. Mezzanotte reviewed the two amendments which relate to general powers and tapping fees.     

 

NEW BUSINESS:

$          A draft of the cover letter to be sent to the residents with information for plumbers regarding the E-One grinder pump was reviewed.   Information on the Delaware County Housing Rehabilitation Program 0% loan and a list of plumbers who have done satisfactory work in the township will also be included in the mailing.

 

$          Refinancing of the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority Loan was discussed.   Mr. Klaver made a motion that Chairman Del Rossi be authorized on behalf of the Sewer Authority to review the proposals from various lenders and conclude as to which is the most appropriate and begin finalization of commitment to refinance.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary