CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

February 18, 2003

 

            The 162th  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, Solicitor, Angelika B. Forndran, P.E., Engineer, Jim Shipley, Chairman CFT BOS and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

INTRODUCTIONS:

            Chairman Murray introduced, to those present, the two new members of the CFTSA, Garry Paul and Vince Del Rossi.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

            On February 3, 2003 members representing CFTSA and CFT met with their counterparts in Concord Township to jointly discuss sewer matters in the Route 202 area.  This was an information gathering meeting only and no decisions were made.          

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None            

 

MINUTES:

            The minutes of the January 21, 2003 CFTSA meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded. (Spoehr/Paul)

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $165,096.19

                        Receipts                                                                       29,500.00

                        Balance                                                                        $194,596.19

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $445,001.68

Receipts                                                                                                0.00

                        Balance                                                                        $445,001.68

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $10,949.34

                        Receipts                                                                       2,627.10                     

                        Balance                                                                        $13,576.44

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $54,689.21

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                     12,576.44

                        Void Check #447                                                         700.00

                        Dividends                                                                     52.80

                        Balance                                                                        $68,018.45

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $15,120.24

                        Interest                                                                          15.06

                        Balance                                                                        $15,135.30

 

            Mrs. Taylor reported on:

 

1.                    Budget for 2003 - This budget had been reviewed at the January 21, 2003 meeting but was not formally approved.   In response to a question from Mrs. Tobin regarding the amount of money designated for repairs of the plant, Ms. Forndran explained that the amount indicated did not mean that the plant was failing.  The amount set aside for replacement and repairs is to cover anticipated normal wear of components of the sewer system.  A motion was made and seconded to adopt the Operating Budget and the Capital Budget for 2003 as presented. (Murray/Spoehr)  The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

1.                  SSM Invoice for Act 537 Support - This invoice in the amount of $291.72 was presented to the Sewer Authority for approval before being submitted to the Township for payment.  The Township has agreed to pay invoices relating to the revisions to the Act 537 Plan which in turn will be 50% reimbursed to the Township by DEP.   The Sewer Authority members agreed that this invoice should be approved and passed on to the Township for payment.

 

           

3.                  Terre Hill Proposal - A proposal, dated February 13, 2003, for manhole repairs has been received.  The proposal will be discussed under the Engineer’s Report for this meeting.

 

4.                  Abbonizio - After review, Chairman Murray signed 4 originals of Payment Request #1.

 

5.                  19 Longview Road Tapping Fee - The members agreed to accept the property owners proposal, dated February 17, 2003, to pay the remainder of the tapping fee in three monthly installments of $200 each.

 

            Chairman Murray asked Mr. Paul, Mr. Mezzanotte and Mrs. Taylor to work on finalizing the remaining 5 properties that need to arrange payment terms for paying the tapping fee.

 

            The question regarding the possibility of using one checking account was raised once again.  Mrs. Taylor explained the method she uses to keep the Ridings Operating Account separate from the General Fund Account.  After a brief discussion, it was decided to wait to make a decision on this until the new members have had some time to review the advantages or disadvantages of considering this possible change.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

            Chairman Murray asked about an invoice received to review the plans for the proposed Tremonte subdivision.  Mrs. Taylor said that invoice will be deducted from the $3,000 escrow Tremonte Builders have on deposit with the Sewer Authority.  After review of the Abbonizio payment request, invoices totaling $184,125.25 were then approved for payment from the General Fund by a majority vote. (Spoehr/Paul)

 

            There being no questions, Ridings Operating Account invoices totaling $10,545.62 were unanimously approved for payment on a motion duly made and seconded. (Spoehr/Del Rossi)  

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            The invoice in the amount of $1,219.98 sent to The Brandywine Conservancy for reviews and inspections relating to the installation of holding tanks remains unpaid. 

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte reported on the following:

 

 

3.                  St. Cornelius Church Easement - A proposed easement agreement has been presented to the church for the easement needed for Phase 2 of the Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project.  As requested by Mr. Dunn, solicitor for the church, Mr. Mezzanotte has revised the description in the latest version of the agreement.  Mr. Dunn will review the latest revision with the church and will contact Mr. Mezzanotte soon. 

 

4.                  LAPA 1 - The executed Capacity Assignment Agreement has been received.

 

3.         Kids First -The difference between what the Authority feels is owed and what Kids First feels is owed has been reduced to about $3,500.  Mr. Mezzanotte has asked the attorney for Kids First to talk with his client to see if some agreement could be reached so that this matter might be concluded.

 

4.         Brandywine Summit Non-Residential Users - Mr. Mezzanotte has sent letters requesting that these three properties be connected within 45 days of the date of his letter.  He said that all three of the properties have contracted with a plumber to do the work.

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

 

            Ms. Forndran reviewed her written report:

 

1.         RRE - Construction began on January 20, 2003 and substantial completion occurred by February 14, 2003.  All pipelines have been tested.  Some of the restoration work, such as final paving and seeding, will have to wait for better weather.

           

Ms. Forndran noted that, to date, she has received no written complaints relating to the project.  There was one verbal complaint from a resident on Raven Drive regarding inconvenience during the construction, and one resident on Ridge Road said the contractor was very cooperative during this project.

 

 

2.                  St. Cornelius Elementary School Connection - Plans were received on February 6, 2003.  SSM review comments were sent out today.

 

3.                  RRSSE Tapping Fee - Cost analyses have been submitted to Chairman Murray for determination of tapping fee. 

 

4.                  Inflow and Infiltration - The confined space entry field inspection of manhole 1-26 has been done and it has been determined that it is structurally sound enough to allow proceeding with planned manhole lining to eliminate the inflow and infiltration. 

 

Chairman Murray was asked to sign the purchase order tonight so that the work on manhole 1-26 may proceed.

 

5.                  Ridings WWTP - It has been determined that the location of the sensor for the effluent pump flow meter is causing a biased reading.  Possible remedies for this problem, including the installation of a stilling well, were discussed.

           

            The grease problem at Barnaby’s and the impact of grease on the sewer system

and plant were reviewed.   The requirements for grease interceptors are spelled out in the CFTSA Standards and Details book.

 

Mr. Taylor, Planning Commission Chairman, said that the person planning to purchase Barnaby’s had come to the Planning Commission meeting with sketch plans for the property.  The Planning Commission advised him that there was a grease problem and a problem with the manhole, and that he should contact the Sewer Authority to see what needs to be done about these.  Mr. Kelly added that when the plans are reviewed it will be necessary for the developer to submit his plans to the Sewer Authority for review and approval before Township approval is effective.

 

6.                  Upcoming work - Upcoming items include:

 

c.                   Restoration work for Ridge Road sewer construction

d.                  Storm sewer modification

e.                   I and I rehab work

f.                    Review of the draft of the Act 537 plan

g.                   Scheduling of the inspection of the privately owned sewage treatment plants

 

Ms. Forndran explained that it has been suggested that a more detailed engineering inspection be done of the Springhill Farms and Pantos Wastewater Treatment Plants.  She said this could be done at a cost of between $2,500 and $2,800 for each.

 

Following further discussion, it was moved and seconded that Spotts, Stevens and McCoy be authorized to do the engineers detailed inspection of the Springhill Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant only at a cost not to exceed $2,800. (Murray/Spoehr)  The motion passed unanimously.

 

            The need to adjust the CFTSA fee schedule was reviewed.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

            Tapping Fee for Ridge Road Sewerage District - Chairman Murray said that despite the fact that the Authority planned to announce the tapping fee at this meeting, options relating to Phase 1 and Phase 2 need further review.

 

            After discussion, it was agreed to recess tonight’s meeting and reconvene on March 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Building for the purpose of deciding the tapping fee for the Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Project.   Mrs. Taylor will see that the date for the reconvened meeting is advertised.

             

RECESS:

            The meeting was recessed at 10:05.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary