CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

February 17, 2004

 

The 174th  meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

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

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

None.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None

 

MINUTES:

There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the January 20, 2004 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Del Rossi/Spoehr).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Chairman Murray suggested that the Authority consider the use of  purchase order numbers for future purchases.  It was also suggested that, if purchase order numbers are used, it would be for  purchases only, not for utilities and other routine services.  It was the consensus of the members present that this is a good idea and Mrs. Taylor was advised to begin using purchase order numbers.  Because Ms. Forndran had used PO #CFTSA11 and CFTSA12 for orders recently placed, it was proposed that future purchase order numbers continue with that sequence.

 

Due to Treasurer Mr. Cutrona’s absence, the discussion regarding the 2002 audit, which was tabled at last month’s meeting, was postponed until next month.

 

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

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $2,939.53

                        Receipts                                                                                                       43,491.68

                        Balance                                                                                                $46,431.21

 

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $363,327.73

            Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                                              22,476.68

                                         Dividends                                                                              0.00

                        Balance                                                                          $385,804.41

 

            Ridings Operating Account - Wachovia

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                       $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                                              11,117.40                       

                        Balance                                                                                                $12,117.40

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                                $46,970.50

                        Transfer from Wachovia ROA                                                            10,423.92

                        Dividends                                                                                             25.70

                        Balance                                                                                                $57,420.12

 

            Mongiovi Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                        $15,271.13

                        Interest                                                                                                 10.64

                        Balance                                                                                                $15,281.77

 

Mrs. Taylor further reported:

1.                   PECO - A phone call was received from PECO noting that they had not received a check for the invoice due in January 2004.  Mrs. Taylor said the check was mailed on January 23, 2004 and it is assumed to be lost in the mail as it has not cleared the bank as of today.  The members advised Mrs. Taylor to reissue the check for that month and to not bother with a stop payment because of the bank charge involved and the fact the check is made out to PECO. 

 

Chairman Murray noted that some of the pump stations have not had an actual meter reading in almost a year.  He further explained that it is impossible to use the electric usage graphs for any sort of monitoring of the pump stations because the figures are all estimates.  Mr. Del Rossi offered to give Chairman Murray the phone number of a contact he has at PECO to arrange to have all four electric meters read.

 

2.                   Concord Nissan - A check was received from Concord Nissan for the quarterly invoice for edu held.  After discussion, since it was determined there is no sewer line adjoining, adjacent or within 150 feet of their principal building, Mrs. Taylor was advised to return the check to the issuer.  Mr. Mezzanotte will send a letter to the attorney representing Concord Nissan explaining the reason for the check being returned.

 

3.                   Applied Water Management Invoice - Mrs. Taylor explained why $222.75 for disposal was deducted from the invoice.  The charge was for wastewater removal from the Woodland Pump Station when it was cleaned and was paid directly to W. McGovern, Inc. by the Authority.  After talking to Mr. Czop from AWM, it was determined that the invoice was paid by both the Authority and AWM.  Mr. Czop said the Authority should remove the charge from the AWM invoice and he would get a refund from McGovern, Inc.

4.                   Act 537 Invoices from SSM - Two invoices for Act 537 work were presented for review.  One was for the last part of SSM work relating to the Springhill Farms Wastewater Treatment Facility.  The other invoice includes work on the Ridge Road Phase 2 submittal to DEP.  After reviewing the invoices, the Chairman initialed them and they were passed on to the Township for payment.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:     

 

RIDINGS OPERATING ACCOUNT - Invoices totaling $10,419.25 were presented for payment from the Ridings Operating Account.  Chairman Murray asked for a clarification of the SSM invoice for I and I work.  Ms. Forndran explained what work the invoice covers.  She also noted that it is for work done during a two month time period, December 2003 and January 2004.  I and I expenses as they relate to the 2004 budget were discussed.  After 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 (Spoehr/Del Rossi).

 

In response to a question from Mr. Linsen, it was explained that the money in the tapping fee account, at this time, will be used to pay the contractor for the Ridge Road Phase 2 Project.  The construction will not begin until after DEP approves the plan.  The submission was received by DEP on December 11, 2003 and, if not acted on by April 9, 2004, will be considered deemed approved. 

 

GENERAL FUND - Invoices totaling $7,462.45 were presented for payment from the General Fund.  A motion was made and seconded to approve payment of the invoices as presented (Del Rossi/Linsen).  The motion passed unanimously.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

 

The properties required to be connected to the public sewer but which are not yet connected were discussed.  Mr. Mezzanotte said he has begun the lien process on these properties and Ms. Forndran said in the spring, when the weather improves, the installation of the laterals to the unconnected properties will begin.  All costs involved in this process, in addition to the tapping fees, will be charged to the property owner.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

 

 

1.                   Liens - Mr. Mezzanotte has reported on the status of the liens earlier in tonight’s meeting..

 

2.                   Kids First - Due to vacations, Mr. Mezzanotte has not been in contact with the attorney representing Kids First.

 

3.                   Dr. Laskas - Mr. Mezzanotte is now able to give Dr. Laskas the ENR adjustment on the purchase price of sewage capacity.  Dr. Laskas will then be able to sign up for making the excess sewage capacity he owns available for resale.

 

4.                   Lafferty Property - Mr. Jensen, Code Enforcement Officer for Chadds Ford Township, will be asked for a determination on the use of this property.

 

5.                   Tremonte Subdivision - Some proposed easement agreements have been received from the attorney representing Mr. Tremonte.  Mr. Mezzanotte said he needs to know what the Authority would like regarding the scope of the easement.  Chairman Murray said the Township has strongly recommended that the Authority not take dedication of the sewer line that goes up the private driveway that serves the three properties in the proposed subdivision.  After discussion, it was agreed that the Authority does not want dedication of this sewer line.  Mr. Tremonte’s attorney has asked for confirmation on how the Authority prefers sanitary sewer service be provided to the Tremonte subdivision.  To summarize the Authority’s response, Mr. Mezzanotte said the Authority is willing to let sewer service be provided through the developer’s connection to the Authority’s sewer main.  The connection would be built to the Authority’s standards.  It would be owned and maintained by the property owners subject to the right of the Authority to inspect and require maintenance be effected with an easement to go on the property to carry out these rights.  Ms. Forndran said she will discuss with Mr. Kelly who should own the piece of sewer line that goes under Ridge Road.    


 

 

Mr. Mezzanotte will draft a response letter to Mr. Tremonte’s attorney.  He will see that Chairman Murray has a chance to review the letter before it is sent.

 

ACT 57:

Chairman Murray will contact Township officials regarding the previously proposed meeting with Mr. Mezzanotte on this subject.   He noted the subject of tapping fees will be very important as proposed new development occurs with potential connection to the Ridings Sewage Treatment Plant.  

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

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

 

 

1.            Infiltration & Inflow reduction            

            a.            Steps have begun to implement the flow monitoring scope of work approved at last month’s meeting.              

            b.            The flow meters are ready and on stand-by for installation.  Possible locations for meter installations were noted.

 

 

 

2.                   Ridings WWTP                    


 

            a.               The December 2003 report showed non-compliance for CBOD due to reduced detention time during high flows which occurred around the last two weeks of December.                         


 

            b.                    Electrical actuator for blower valve has been installed and is operating.  Check for payment to Tyco has been sent.

 

c.                                           Motive Pump order in progress.  J.T. Seeley inspected installation and recommended an impeller less prone to clogging.  This would add $389 to the cost of the motive pump.  Ms. Forndran recommended the Authority accept Mr. Seeley’s recommendation.  Chairman Murray and Ms. Forndran explained the effect sand from the sand filter has had on the pumps.  The members agreed to include the alternate impeller as recommended by Ms. Forndran.   The plant operators will be able to install the new pump.  Ms. Forndran will get an estimate from AWM for installation time and cost.

 

d.                                           Upgraded influent pump order is in progress.  The installation information from the pump installed in 2001 is being reviewed.  It is recommended that the old galvanized rail guides be replaced with steel.  Also recommended is stainless steel cable in place of the current chain used to bring out the pump.   The replacement of the 2 pumps will be considered capital improvements.   Chairman Murray said the members must be mindful of the budgeted amount of $15,000 for capital improvements for the year 2004. 


 

            e.               No further information on emergency generator alternatives.           


 

f.            Draft of Chapter 94 report in progress.  Plan to have draft compete in time for review by members at next month’s meeting.  Report to be submitted to DEP by March 31, 2004.

 

3.                   Developer reviews

a.            Enzo’s South construction has started.  Sewer construction inspector from SSM has been to the site.  Manhole 1-45 has been replaced.  The other new manhole is to be installed and tested. 


 

b.                                           Enzo’s South Easement modifications - Distributed markups of existing easements and required easement.  Township Engineer to review with owner and surveyor to determine why there are some property line differences.

c.                                           Tremonte Easement and Deed of Dedication - Discussed earlier in tonight’s meeting.

d.                                           Review has been prepared of Parkside Association preliminary plan submittal of January 20, 2004.  Comments have been prepared and will be sent out.  Chairman Murray suggested that the pump station on the Pileggi property should be added to the other annual inspections done by the Authority. 

                       


 

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

a.            A copy of the document submitted to DEP including the public comments and responses is available for public inspection at the Township Building.  It has been confirmed that DEP received the submittal on December 11, 2003.  John Veneziale is currently reviewing the documents.

 

b.          Survey flyover has been completed. Base topographic plans require about 4 to 6 weeks to complete.  It is requested that SSM be authorized to start preparing the base plan as delays will affect the proposed schedule and construction would not be done this year.  Ms. Forndran explained what all the base plan survey would include and answered the members questions.  Concerns were expressed regarding committing to the $18,000 expense before DEP approval has been received.  It was explained that it was not likely that DEP would not approve the plan, but would possibly make some changes to it.  Following a lengthy discussion, the members unanimously agreed on a motion duly made and seconded to authorize Ms. Forndran to begin preparation of the base plan at a cost of $18,000 as proposed (Spoehr/Linsen).

 

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

            a.         No further update.

 

6.                   Collection System Issues

a.            Updated with Bonnie Taylor status of properties not connected.  

 

 

6.                   Items for Next Month

            a.              Planning system inspections for septic tanks in connected areas.

 

b.                                           Install flow meters and monitor a rainfall time period

c.                                           Prepare recommendations for plant outfall improvements

d.                                           Meeting to review Act 57 of 2003.

           

OTHER MATTERS:

 

Chairman Murray said the water usage of St. Cornelius School must be watched to be sure they have not exceeded the edu for which they have paid the tapping fee.  Ms. Forndran suggested it would be helpful if monthly reports could be obtained.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary