MINUTES
The
184th meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date
in the
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 John J. Mezzanotte, Esquire, Thomas R. Smith, PE, Garry Paul, CFT BOS, and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.
The
meeting was called to order at
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chairman
Murray announced that Mr. Cutrona has requested a change in the agenda order
for this meeting. Mr. Cutrona will not
be present until
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Marriette Tobin asked what the status is of the Ridge Road Extension Phase 2. Chairman Murray said there is nothing new at this time. He explained that the design engineering is done and a permit has been applied for, but a starting date has not been determined.
Responding to a further question from Mrs. Tobin, Mr. Mezzanotte explained that some of the homeowners in Raven Crest have filed an appeal of the approval that was received by the township to do the RRE Phase 2 project. The appeal is between the homeowners and the township, not the Sewer Authority.
2. Christopher
DiSabatino asked if there was a way to sewer those properties on
MINUTES:
There
being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the
SOLICITOR’S REPORT:
Mr. Mezzanotte reviewed:
1. Kids First -
Paul Tustin of Kids First has been assigned to see that the sewer connection is completed. He has told Mr. Mezzanotte that he does have the necessary paperwork to be completed and is aware of the agreement, relating to
class=Section3>the tapping fee and the reimbursement to Kids First, that needs to be executed.
Mr. Mezzanotte has been in contact with the attorney for Kids First regarding the agreement. The attorney has agreed to see that any remaining issues on the agreement are addressed as quickly as possible to finalize the connection.
2. Unconnected properties - Foreclosure on the liens has been proposed by Mr. Mezzanotte as a means of getting those property owners, who have not done so, to pay the tapping fee and connect their property to the public sewer as required by Township Ordinance. Mr. Mezzanotte reviewed this process for the board members. In anticipation of proceeding with foreclosure, Mr. Mezzanotte has asked for a title search to get mortgage information on these properties.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:
$ Responding to a question from Chairman Murray, Mrs. Taylor said she is currently charging 10% annual interest on all accounts receivable 30 days or more overdue. Mr. Mezzanotte said his research indicated this would be acceptable.
$ Mr. Rappucci has contacted Mr. Mezzanotte and said he would provide the names of the new owners of the two properties he sold recently. Assignments of capacity need to be prepared and executed for these two properties. Until the Assignments are completed, Mr. Rappucci is being billed for the quarterly user fees for these properties.
ENGINEERS REPORT:
Mr. Smith reviewed his written report.
1. RRE Phase 2 - Latest revised plans for the project, as submitted to DEP and DOT, were reviewed by Mr. Smith. Penn DOT has assured Mr. Smith that the application has been reviewed and approved and the permit is soon to be issued. He has not yet heard from DEP. Mr. Smith feels DEP will not issue a construction permit until the Act 537 appeal issue is resolved. He explained that the project could go to bid, but construction could not begin until the permit is received.
After further
discussion, Chairman Murray made a motion to authorize Mr. Smith to prepare bid
documents for the RRE Phase 2 Project and advertise for bids, with a bid
opening date of
The status of
the Tremonte development on
A motion to revise the RRE Phase 2 plans to eliminate, from the plan, the octagonal school house property on the western side of Heyburn Road made (Cutrona), seconded (Del Rossi) and tabled at last month’s meeting was brought to
class=Section4>the floor for a vote. Discussion followed. This previously tabled motion passed with a majority of three voting yes and Mr. Spoehr voting no. (Mr. Del Rossi was not present for the vote.)
Following discussion, the motion authorizing Mr. Smith to prepare bid documents for the RRE Phase 2 Project, as revised, and to advertise for bids with a bid opening date of February 4, 2005, duly made, (Murray) and seconded (Spoehr) passed by a unanimous vote.
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
nothing further on the wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Smith has received plans of the Sunset
Hill development and the sewer main along Route 1. He has reviewed these and made comments on
them. He also noted the plans lack
details and can not be considered complete as presented. Mr. Smith has contacted Mr. Kelly, township
engineer, and they agree that the pumping station should be a wet well mounted
station similar to the
Ownership of the collection sewers and pumping station needs to be determined. Mr. Smith recommends that the Sewer Authority own the sewerage system to provide for proper management of this public utility. It is understood that the township does not plan to take dedication of the roads in the development. Access to the sewer lines for repairs, etc. was discussed.
3. 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 with the Solicitor and Treasurer on the required development of new Tapping Fees, based on the new PA Act 57 regulations.
$ Letter to Mr.
Tremonte inquiring about his intentions regarding proceeding with his development
on
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:
General Fund Account
Beginning Balance $1,000.00
class=Section5> Receipts
12,126.42
Balance $13,126.42
Operating Account - PLGIT
Beginning Balance $30,424.32
Transfer from Wachovia General Fund 12,126.42
Dividends
51.43
Balance $42,602.17
Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -
Beginning Balance $324,196.67
Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia ------.--
Dividends
------.-- Balance $324,196.67
ACCOUNTS
PAYABLE:
Invoices totaling $13,107.48 were presented for payment. These invoices include $9,151.49 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $3,955.99 for administrative and professional services. After review, the bill list was unanimously approved for payment as presented on a motion made and seconded (Cutrona/Del Rossi).
OTHER MATTERS:
$ Mr. Kelly, Township Engineer, reviewed some items in the preliminary Toll Brothers agreements as they relate to the sanitary sewers. He noted that the sanitary sewers, including the collection and conveyance systems and pumping station, will be entirely owned by the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority. Mr. Kelly also explained that, although most of the streets in the Sunset Hill development will be owned by the homeowners association, the sewer authority will have easements to allow access for maintenance of the sewer lines, pump station, etc.
$ Potential financing for the RRE Phase 2 will be revisited.
$ Copies of the 2005 Preliminary Budget were distributed and reviewed by Mr. Cutrona.
$ Mr. Spoehr said he has received an estimate of $190 to have the window at the plant to be repaired. The work will be done next week.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary