CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

May 20, 2008

Meeting No. 223

 

The 223rd meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: Chairman Vincent Del Rossi, Secretary Paul Koch, Treasurer Keith C. Klaver, Member Roland Martin. Not present: Vice-Chairman Marc S. Altman.

 

Also attending were J. Michael Sheridan, Esq., Authority solicitor; Joseph DiMatteo, Delcora foreman; Michael DiSantis, Delcora director of operations and maintenance; Evan Andrews, Authority engineer; and Mary J. Walter, asst. secretary/asst. treasurer.

Chairman Del Rossi called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.      A meeting was held among representatives of Delcora and Dutchland, Mr. Del Rossi, Mr. Klaver, and Mr. Martin to discuss the Turners Mill plant operations.

2.      The Board held an informational meeting on Friday, May 16, with the Authority solicitor and Authority engineer to discuss the Ridings plant operations and the disc filter.

3.      The flocing tank has been delivered to Delcora.

 

DISCUSSION:

1.      Several residents of the Ridings development attended the meeting to discuss with the Board the request to remove the holding/septic tanks that were determined to be located on the their respective properties. Mitchell Kaminski, a member of the development’s homeowners’ association board, distributed a letter signed by the affected residents. The residents’ main concern was that they were to be held financially responsible for the decommissioning of the septic/holding tanks even though the tanks were connected to the Authority system and the corresponding pumps were installed based on the advice of a contractor the residents thought was a township-appointed contractor. The residents stressed that they were not against the idea of decommissioning the tanks and disconnecting them from the system; they were opposed to being held financially responsible for doing so. Mr. Del Rossi said he would confirm his understanding that the contractor was not working for the Township but rather for the original developer when the connections through the septic/holding tanks were configured. (This was subsequently confirmed.)

 

Mr. Sheridan explained that the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Act was amended to allow Township authorities to adopt ordinances to combat the serious problem of I&I into collection systems. Any ordinances enacted were to be deemed not as retroactive, but to apply to any connections that were not

 

CFTSA Board Minutes

Meeting of May 20, 2008

Page 2

 

to code specifications as of the date of the Township ordinance. Mr. Del Rossi noted that under the ordinance, the connection from the sewer main at the street to the house is the responsibility of the property owner.

 

Several residents noted that they did not know the pumps installed at their properties were the wrong pumps until they failed and that they did not know the homes were incorrectly connected to the Authority system until there were sewage backups into their homes. Mr. Klaver stressed that as more users have connected to the Authority system, the amount of I&I has increased. The Authority is identifying any and all properties that do not have direct connections to the system due to concerns expressed by the DEP. The Ridings area has been identified as a primary source of the I&I to the Ridings plant.

 

Mr. Del Rossi and Mr. Evans reviewed the process of installation and inspection and possible costs for the new connections. Mr. Kaminski requested that another letter with more details of the Township ordinance, a list of contractors, the requirements for the new connections be sent to the affected homeowners; and that a list of the affected property owners as well be sent to him. Mr. Klaver said a member of the Board would attend a meeting of the residents if asked.

 

The Board continued the discussion after the Ridings residents left the meeting. Mr. Del Rossi noted that the original letter sent to the residents specified a time frame for which the tanks must be decommissioned.

 

On a motion from Mr. Klaver and a second from Mr. Koch, the Board authorized Mr. Sheridan to send a letter to the seven identified homeowners requiring abandonment and restoration of their properties’ septic/holding tanks, outlining the requirements of the Township ordinance and specifications for the new connections, and notifying that the appropriate connections be made to the Authority sewer system within 45 days. (subsequent to the meeting, the resident of 3 Ridings Way indicated to Mr. Klaver that his property never had a septic/holding tank. Mr. Klaver indicated that a representative of the Sewer Authority would visit the property to confirm.)

 

MINUTES:

The minutes of the April 15, 2008 meeting were approved as amended by Mr. Klaver at the meeting on a motion by Mr. Del Rossi and a second by Mr. Martin.

 

 

CFTSA Board Minutes

Meeting of May 20, 2008

Page 3

 

DELCORA/RIDINGS WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT:

Mr. DiMatteo reviewed his written report.

1.      In April 2008, the plant processed an average of approximately 37,000 gallons per day. Three violations in total suspended solids were reported for the month.  In Delcora’s opinion, all of the violations are directly attributable to the performance of the disc filter.

2.      The sand filter was brought online again on April 25 and is handling approximately one-third of the flows to the plant. Mr. DiMatteo noted that sand must be added to a certain, pre-determined level to insure the sand filter is running efficiently. Using the sand filter in tandem with the disc filter and making continued adjustments to the process are achieving compliance with the DEP permit requirements. Delcora also is hauling and wasting sludge more frequently than previously. 

3.      Mr. DiMatteo reviewed with the Board a chart of sampling results for April. The Siemens Disc Filter was in operation for the whole reporting period. Grab and composite results indicate Total Suspended Solids levels of approximately 13 mg/l above the 10 mg/l compliance limit and the 5 mg/l efficiency limit stipulated in the Siemens contract. A review of the process through microscopic particle size revealed that a majority of the particle sizes are less than the media membrane, proposing that a majority of the solids are passing through the unit.  Process alternatives have been requested by Siemens along with the request to alter the aluminum sulfate chemical feed system from its existing feed location at both SBR Tanks to the front end of the Disc Filter to try and increase floc particle size.  Siemens representatives were on site throughout the month and DELCORA assisted in chemical feed installation and review of process control.

Mr. DiSantis reported that at this point the disc filter is not contributing to permit compliance. The sand filter is now working more efficiently than previously only because there is a small, continuous flow to the sand filter because of the dividing of the flow between the sand filter and the disc filter. As previously determined, the sand filter apparently was not designed to process batch flows, so it is now working better with the continuous flow. As he previously noted in communication with the Board, Mr. DiSantis reiterated that he believes that with the installation of the floc tank, the disc filter may produce effluent that will meet the permit standards; but as designed, the disc filter will not meet the contract specifications regardless of any process changes that are made at the plant. Mr. DiSantis confirmed that the floc tank has been delivered, but Delcora has not been notified as to the name of the contractor who will complete the installation. He pointed out that installing the floc tank would result in increased chemical and electrical costs for which the Authority has not planned. Mr. DiSantis believes that Siemens must supply a filter that is larger than the current disc filter and that has multiple filters that can handle particles from larger to smaller sizes.

CFTSA Board Minutes

Meeting of May 20, 2008

Page 4

4.      In relation to Mr. DiSantis’ comments, Mr. Andrews reported that he is exploring alternatives to the disc filter and that further testing and investigation is being done at the plant to determine if those other alternatives can meet permit compliance if plant processes and particle size continue. He noted that Siemens previously did say during conference calls they would

provide a smaller membrane for the disc filter, but Siemens has not confirmed that the new membrane is being manufactured. In relation to conference calls, Mr. Koch and Mr. Martin both requested that minutes be kept and distributed to all involved in the conference call to confirm what has been discussed and what commitments have been made by both Siemens and the Authority.

 

After much discussion on the possible alternatives to the disc filter, plant process and infrastructure changes, consequences of the physical plant and design of the Ridings facility, financial implications, the Siemens warranty and contract for the disc filter, deadlines, and effect on the DEP consent order, the Board approved the following:

1)      Mr. Sheridan compose a letter for the chairman’s signature and express the Board’s desire to continue to work with Siemens to obtain a solution with them in accordance with their contractual agreements; the Board’s expectation that the floc tank be installed within 15 days from the date of the letter; the Board’s expectation that within 15 days after the installation date of the floc tank to be in recurrent compliance with the DEP permit; the Board’s expectation that 30 days after the recurrent compliance deadline, that the disc filter would be in compliance with the contractual performance requirements; the Board’s expectation that any incremental operational and chemical costs incurred by Delcora during this period be reimbursed by Siemens (Klaver/Koch);

2)      Mr. Andrews develop a process to identify alternative solutions to the Siemens disc filter and report back to the Board at the June meeting so the Board can authorize going forward with a bidding process in the event that the Authority is unsuccessful in finalizing the transaction with Siemens (Klaver/Del Rossi).

 

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Mr. Andrews reviewed his written report.

  1. An agreement has been reached with the developers of the Brandywine Summit II project to pay the tapping fee immediately upon purchase of the property, rather than when the building is constructed.
  2. Based on the Chapter 94 report, the DEP is investigating possible hydraulic overload/surcharging in the collection system during wet weather. Preliminary metering results indicate the issue may be I&I between manholes 42 and 43 between Longview Road and Olde Ridge Village.

 

CFTSA Board Minutes

Meeting of May 20, 2008

Page 5

 

  1. Mr. Andrews will revise the Chapter 94 Report based on the Ridings plant rating as 140,000 gallons per day. He also will resolve the issue of how many EDUs are based on 265 gallon vs. 217 gallons per day.
  2. A “Pre-Dedication Meeting” was held at the Township Building on May 2, 2008. The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate the transfer of the Turners Mill WWTP to the Township as smoothly as possible. Scheduled transfer date is August 25, 2008, 6 months after plant start-up. Representatives of the Township, Authority, and DELCORA participated, as did Dan Furtek of Toll Brothers and representatives of Yerkes Associates, Dutchland and MGK. Topics covered during the Pre-Dedication Meeting included current plant operations, punch list, SCADA installation, action items, and other related discussions. If necessary, a follow-up meeting will be scheduled. The Authority Engineer will monitor the progress of the identified action items.
  3. A proposal for the rate study will be ready for the June board meeting. Mr. Klaver believes that the Authority will know the fixed operating costs for Turners Mill to be used for a rate study. He reported that Mr. Furtek of Toll Brothers would provide monthly operating costs for Turners Mill during the 6-month start-up. Mr. Klaver reiterated that he would like the rate study completed this year so that a possible change to the user rates may be considered for January 1, 2009.
  4. A Pennoni treatment plant operator visited the Ridings plant on April 10, 2008 to review the plant and its current operating condition to identify possible process adjustments that might improve the disc filter performance.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

  1. Liens have been executed as requested by the Board at the May meeting.
  2. The letter has been sent to the Ridings Way resident advising him that he may not enter Ridings plant property without written permission from the Authority and without being accompanied by a member or representative of the Authority. Board.
  3. Mr. Sheridan discussed for how many EDUs the Authority may charge Parkside Associates now that the Ethan Allen store is constructed. He will further review the Municipal Authorities Act and the Authority’s agreement with Parkside Associates. At present, Parkside Associates has been billed for user fees for the full 28 EDUs that have been reserved for the property on which Ethan Allen now is located.
  4. The closing date for the Pennvest loan has been set for September 17, 2008.
  5. Mr. Sheridan received a new draft consent order from the DEP.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

  1. Mr. Klaver noted that income before depreciation does not include the Yerkes bill for the preparation of the Part II permit and any fines assessed by the DEP.

 

CFTSA Board Minutes

Meeting of May 20, 2008

Page 6

 

  1. The treasurer’s report and the accounts payable report including monthly bills of $27,361.74, Quickbooks costs of $138.97, debit card purchases of $352.71, ACH payments for Verizon and PECO of $1793.06, ACH payment for the Sovereign Bank loan $6378.69, ACH interest payment for the DVRFA loan of $448.74, payroll of $1163.68, and payroll liabilities of $131.07 were approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Klaver/Koch).
  2. The Board reviewed the proposed billing policy as revised based on discussion at the April meeting. Mr. Sheridan noted that under the proposed policy, property owners would not be subject to a lien until they are one year in arrears. He questions whether waiting that long to place the lien will serve as a deterrent or incentive for a property owner to pay. The Board agreed to send a 60-day letter after an account is two quarters in arrears; and, if no response or payment is received after the 60-day letter, a 30-day letter indicating that a lien will be placed will be mailed. As well, the Board agreed that the chairman or treasurer may waive finance charges individually de minimus. On a motion from Mr. Klaver and a second from Mr. Del Rossi, the Board approved the billing policy as revised at the meeting. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

1.      On a motion from Mr. Del Rossi and a second by Mr. Klaver, the Board voted to cancel its August 19 monthly meeting.

 

At 10:40 p.m., the Board moved into Executive Session (Del Rossi/Klaver). The public meeting resumed at 11:40 p.m. Mr. Del Rossi announced that the Board discussed the draft DEP consent order during the Executive Session.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

                       

ADJOURNMENT   The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 p.m.   (Del Rossi/Klaver)

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary J. Walter, Asst. Secretary/Asst. Treasurer