CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

December 16, 2003

 

The 172nd  meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: James J. Murray, Chairman, John Spoehr, Vice Chairman, Paul Linsen, Secretary, Garry Paul, Treasurer and Vince Del Rossi.  Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Angelika B. Forndran, PE, James C. Kelly, PE, CFT Engineer, and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.             November 17, 2003 - Chairman Murray, Angelika B. Forndran, PE, James C. Kelly, PE and Richard Jensen, CFT Code Enforcement Officer met to discuss septic tanks and sewage pumps in the Ridings collection system.

 

2.                  December 8, 2003 - The new contract provisions for the operation and maintenance of the Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant were discussed with representatives of American Water Services and members of the CFTSA.

 

 

2.                  December 9, 2003 - Submitted to DEP the Planning Module for Minor Act 537 Update Revision and CFT Resolution regarding Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension-Phase II.

 

            Discussion followed relating to the time a response could be expected from DEP.  Mrs. Taylor said the documents were sent to DEP by Priority Mail on December 9, 2003.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

 

MINUTES:

There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the November 18, 2003 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Del Rossi/Spoehr).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $14,717.18

                        Receipts                                                                                                       4,091.00

                        Balance                                                                                                $18,808.18

 

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $362,482.83

Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                                        0.00

                                         Dividends                                                                  0.00

                        Balance                                                                          $362,482.83

 

            Ridings Operating Account - Wachovia

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                       $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                                              6,280.77                       

                        Balance                                                                                                $7,280.77

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                                $36,980.37

                        Transfer from Wachovia ROA                                                            6,280.77

                        Dividends                                                                                             26.91

                        Balance                                                                                                $43,288.05

 

            Mongiovi Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                        $15,249.45

                        Interest                                                                                                    9.95

                        Balance                                                                                                $15,259.40

 

Mrs. Taylor reported:

 

2.                   Concordville Nissan - Invoice for reimbursement of engineering services has been paid, but the invoice for edus held has not been paid.  Mr. Mezzanotte will contact Mr. Stivale regarding this.

 

3.                   2004 Budget - Some minor adjustments to the proposed 2004 Budget were explained by Mrs. Taylor.

 

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:     

 

RIDINGS OPERATING ACCOUNT - Invoices totaling $11,424.47 were presented for payment from the Ridings Operating Account.  Electric bills for the Woodland Pump Station were discussed.  Following the discussion, the bills to be paid from the Ridings Operating Account were unanimously approved for payment, as presented, on a motion duly made and seconded (Paul/Del Rossi).   

 

GENERAL FUND - Invoices totaling $1,935.77  were presented for payment from the General Fund.  A motion was made and seconded (Spoehr/Del Rossi) to approve payment of the invoices as presented.  The motion passed unanimously.

2004 BUDGET:           

The 2004 Budget presented for consideration was reviewed.  Mr. Spoehr noted that the $13,000 allocated for the annual audit is actually for two years.  It is planned that the audits for the years 2002 and 2003 will both be completed and invoiced during 2004.  There are also  new GASB 34 requirements that will probably increase the expense for the 2003 and future audits.  Mr. Paul explained that in talking with Mr. Mezzanotte and Mrs. Taylor it appears that an annual audit is not mandatory and it is a large expense considering the amount of activity involved in the Authority’s accounts.   He suggested that there may be a way to obviate this with pending Sewer Authority personnel appointments for 2004.   Mr. Mezzanotte, in response to a request from Chairman Murray, agreed to prepare a memorandum for the Authority members explaining audit requirements.  Chairman Murray said after the members receive Mr. Mezzanotte’s comments the audit question can be decided at next month’s Authority meeting. 

 

Mr. Spoehr asked for some details about the line item budgeted for extra visits to the plant.  Chairman Murray explained how these extra visits are documented in the log book kept at the plant.  He further explained that invoices can be matched with what is entered in the log book.  It is also hoped that some of the measures taken recently and planned will help eliminate some of these extra visits. 

 

On a motion by John Spoehr, seconded by Vince Del Rossi the 2004 Budget for Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was adopted by a unanimous vote.    


 

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

 

2.                   CCMC - Mr. Mezzanotte said today he received the sign-off from CCMC offering for sale the 3 edu of excess sewage capacity they own.  Mrs. Taylor has provided them with the names of the three non-residential property owners currently in need of purchasing capacity. 

           

Discussion regarding the Lafferty property followed.  There is a question as to what the current use of the property is, residential or non-residential.  In either case, the property must now be connected to the public sewer system.  The Sewer Authority may need to seek the help of the Township Code Enforcement Officer in determining the current use of the Lafferty property to invoice the property owner for the correct tapping fee amount.

 

Ms. Forndran asked if the Authority has been receiving water consumption reports for Kids First.  The reports will be needed to be sure 1 edu will be sufficient for their use of the property.  Mrs. Taylor said Kids First has been included in the reports she receives from Chester Water Authority. 

 

            After further discussion, it was decided that Mr. Mezzanotte will follow up on the status of

the Kids First property connection and the capacity purchase by Dr. Mongiovi.  After contacting Mr. Jensen regarding the Lafferty property use, this connection will be addressed.  

 


The request from CCMC for a billing credit regarding the 3 edu excess capacity offered for sale was reviewed.  After review, the Authority members agreed to extend a credit of $250 for the excess 3 edu offered for sale.  Mrs. Taylor was advised to apply this credit to the billing for the second quarter of 2004. 

 

3.                   Reflections Holding Tank Agreement - Mr. Mezzanotte has reviewed the revised agreement and indicated that, although a Sewer Authority Holding Tank Agreement is not required for this type of holding tank, it is appropriate for Chairman Murray to sign the document as presented.

 

4.                   Accounts Receivable - Mr. Mezzanotte was requested to send a letter to the property owners who have an outstanding balance of over $1,000 in user fees.   Ms. Forndran is addressing those properties that have not paid tapping fees. 

 

5.                   Laskas Capacity Owned - It was explained that Dr. Laskas owns 1 edu plus 95 gallons of sewage capacity.  As per CFTSA Resolution, he pays the quarterly fixed cost for 2 edus.  It was suggested that Dr. Laskas be encouraged to sell his 95 gallons.  Mr. Mezzanotte will remind Dr. Laskas that he will not be charged for 2 edus if he offers the excess 95 gallons of capacity for sale.  It was noted that there are other owners with increments that may be combined to equal whole edus. 

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

Ms. Forndran distributed copies of her written report.  The report was then reviewed.

 

 

1.            Infiltration & Inflow reduction            

            a.            Smithbridge P.S. overflow tank lining work to stop excessive inflow of groundwater budgeted for 2004.

            b.            Temporary flow metering of subbasins, videotaping of sewer lines in identified high flow areas planned for next year to identify where excess I & I is originating.

 

            c.            Quarterly report due to DEP by mid January 2004.                       

 

 

2.                   Ridings WWTP

            a.             Filamentous control feed, draining and cleaning of SBR tank #1 completed and both tanks were back on line the day before Thanksgiving.          


 

            b.         Motive pump and Actuator for aerator orders in progress.

 

c.                                           Reviewed October discharge report.

 

d.                                           Reviewed O and M Agreement for AWM.  One page of comments provided.  Paragraph regarding assignment referred to Solicitor for review.  

             

 

3.                   Developer review

a.            Tremonte - Reviewed revised plans dated 10/30/03.  Final review letter completed and distributed.  Revisions address Authority issues.  The remaining item of the easement for the shared gravity line is being referred to John Mezzanotte for legal review.   Ms. Forndran has recommended that the shared gravity line be dedicated to the Authority and the common easement agreement be with the Authority instead of the three property owners.  Mr. Tremonte’s attorney is to contact Mr. Mezzanotte regarding the Easement Agreement language.  Mr. Mezzanotte said he had not heard from the attorney as of today. 


 

b.                                           Enzo’s South - Review has been completed.  Findings of easement review pending.  Chairman Murray gave a brief history of the sewer easements on the property.

           


 

4.                   RRE Phase 2 Planning Module for Minor Act 537 Update Revision for DEP

 

a.            Submitted Planning Module to DEP 12/09/03. 

            b.         Refined cost opinions for concept options

 

c.                                           Final compilation of public comments, responses included in Module submission available for public review at Township Building.

 

 

5.                   Springhill Farm WWTP scope of work items for Township Act 537


 

            a.         Completed items for submission to Township Engineer by 12/11/03           

b.         Meeting scheduled 12/18/03 to review information for Chadds Ford Township and Concord Township DEP submittal.

           

OTHER MATTERS:

 

1.              Pending Connections

 

a.             23 Raven Drive - Ms. Forndran has been in contact with the owner of this property and he has made a decision regarding the rerouting of the sewer line from his house.  He has indicated he is now prepared to move ahead with the connection.  


 

b.         Other Unconnected Properties - Ms. Forndran is compiling a list of local plumbers to be contacted by the Authority regarding quotes for connecting the remaining properties.

 

In response to a question from Mrs. Taylor, Chairman Murray said the Sewer Authority has a policy that all property owners are to be charged the quarterly user fee when the sewer line is available for connection.

 

 

2.                   Operation and Maintenance Contract

The proposed contract was reviewed and there were questions regarding the name change and the difference in figures from the proposal.  Mr. Mezzanotte said Mr. Czop from American Water Services called and said that Applied Water Management is a subsidiary and is basically the same company with the same people doing the same servicing as American Water Services.  BOD and TSS testing requirements were discussed.  The proposal amount was $19,200 per year, but the contract amount shows $22,050 per year.  After further review and discussion, it was agreed to ask American Water Services to provide two revised originals of the contract which need to include the corrected annual charge of $19,200 and noting the three pump stations to be serviced.  The contract with these revisions made was unanimously approved on a motion by John Spoehr, seconded by Garry Paul.

 

Mrs. Taylor was advised to see that the $150 credit promised by American Water Services is shown on the O and M invoice for the month of December.  This credit is to reflect the new monthly contract rate.  The previous contract expired on November 30, 2003.  The new contract will take effect on January 1, 2004.

 

3.                   Route #1 Feasibility Study

The importance of implementing some of the suggestions in the study was discussed. 

 

4.                   Generator for Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant

Because Mr. Paul will be leaving the Authority to accept a position as Township Supervisor, Chairman Murray asked Mr. Spoehr to assist Mr. Del Rossi to form specifications for a generator.  Chairman Murray stressed the importance of having a generator available.

 

             

ADJOURNMENT:   

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary

 

Following the adjournment, Mr. Paul submitted his letter of resignation from the Authority due to his appointment as Chadds Ford Township Supervisor to fill an unexpired term.   He thanked Chairman Murray for his leadership during the year and the Authority members and professionals for their help and guidance.