CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

January 21, 2003

 

            The 161th  meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

            Present: James J. Murray, Chairman, Paul G. Linsen, Treasurer and John Spoehr, Secretary.  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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

                        Chairman Murray announced that two new Sewer Authority members have been appointed by the CFT Board of Supervisors.  Garry Paul has been appointed for a full 5 year term and Vincent Del Rossi has been appointed for one year to replace Jerome S. Heisler.  The new members were not present at tonight’s meeting due to prior commitments. 

            Before the reorganization, Mr. Murray introduced the current members of the Sewer Authority.

 

REORGANIZATION:

            The following positions were filled by unanimous vote after motions duly made and seconded..

            Chairman - James J. Murray     (Spoehr/Linsen)

            Vice Chairman - John Spoehr (Murray/Linsen)

            Secretary - Paul G. Linsen (Murray/Spoehr)

            Treasurer - Garry Paul (Murray/Spoehr)

Solicitor - John J. Mezzanotte, Jr, Esquire of Barnard, Mezzanotte and Pinnie       (Murray/Spoehr)

            Engineer - Angelika B. Forndran, P.E. of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (Murray/Spoehr)

            Secretary/Treasurer - Sabina J. Taylor at a rate of $20 per hour (Spoehr/Murray)

            Depository for Funds - First Union/Wachovia and PLGIT (Linsen/Spoehr)

            Auditor - Fischer, Cunnane and Associates - Linda Balmer ( Linsen/Spoehr)    

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None            

 

MINUTES:

            The minutes of the December 17, 2002 CFTSA meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded. (Spoehr/Murray)

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $138,035.31

                        Receipts                                                                       31,193.08

                        Balance                                                                        $169,096.19

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $443,266.60

Receipts                                                                                                1,735.08

                        Balance                                                                        $445,001.68

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $1,564.20

                        Receipts                                                                       30,638.03                   

                        Balance                                                                        $32,202.23

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $47,784.58

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                     20,559.41

                        Dividends                                                                     55.92

                        Balance                                                                        $68,399.91

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $15,104.47

                        Interest                                                                          15.77

                        Balance                                                                        $15,120.24

 

            Mrs. Taylor reported on:

 

1.                  19 Longview Tapping Fee - There has been no response to the letter sent by Mr. Mezzanotte to the property owners on October 31, 2002.  After discussion with Mr. Mezzanotte, the members present agreed that another letter should be sent before legal action is considered.

 

 

1.                   Cummins Invoice - The last invoice was received on December 12, 2002 and Mr. Murray noted that the service person who responded to the call for the Woodland Pump Station agreed that the service call should be covered under the warranty.  The Sewer Authority does not intend to pay this invoice and, if necessary, will state that in a letter.

   

 

2.                  Budget for 2003 - Copies of the proposed Operating and Capital Budgets for 2003 were provided to the Sewer Authority members.  Chairman Murray explained some of the work that went into these documents which are being considered for approval tonight.  He noted that the line items have prefix numbers which helps to track income and expenses.  Chairman Murray asked if the members present had any thoughts on combining the Ridings Operating Bank Account with the General Fund Bank Account.  He commented that the Sewer Authority must guard against crossing any other business activities with the Ridings Operating Budget.  Mr. Shipley asked for some clarification of what are considered General Fund expenses and what are considered Ridings Operating expenses.   It was noted that basically the only funding for the General Fund is from a grant from the Township.   Mr. Mezzanotte suggested that this question be tabled until next month when the new Treasurer is present.  After discussion, a motion was made to table this subject until the February 18, 2003 meeting.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.  (Linsen/Spoehr)

 

3.                  CFTSA Members Financial Statements for 2002 - The statements were distributed to the members and Mrs. Taylor reminded everyone that the forms are to be completed with information pertaining to the year 2002.  She explained that these forms are required to be kept on file with other Sewer Authority records. 

 

4.                  Check from DEP - A check for $500 has been received from DEP as part of the Governor’s Money Back Program.  This check was received because DEP did not review the Ridings Plant NPDES Permit renewal application within the required time.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            It was noted by Chairman Murray that the invoice for engineering costs relating to the holding tanks for the Brandywine Conservancy remains unpaid.  Mrs. Taylor said she will send a letter to Mr. Barnard, who represented the Conservancy during their recent construction project, requesting his assistance in seeing that this invoice is paid.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

            A brief explanation was given regarding some extra work done by Apex Roofing at the Ridings Plant and approved by Chairman Murray.  Ridings Operating Account invoices totaling $13,710.70 were unanimously approved for payment on a motion duly made and seconded (Linsen/Murray).       

 

            Invoices totaling $4,122.20 were then approved for payment from the General Fund by a majority vote (Linsen/Murray).

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte reported on the following:

 

 

1.                  LAPA 1 - The executed agreement has not been received.  Mr. Mezzanotte will follow up on this.

 

2.                  St. Cornelius Church Easement - The Solicitor for the church has asked for a better delineation of the easement area.  Ms. Forndran has provided Mr. Mezzanotte with a copy of the revised description of the easement area and revised plan.  The revised documents will be reviewed and passed along to Mr. Spoehr, who will see that they are delivered to the church.  Mr. Mezzanotte will also send a copy to Harry Dunn, Solicitor for the church.

3. Kids First - Despite the fact that the Sewer Authority owes them money, they have not returned Mr. Mezzanotte’s calls.  Since there is only a small amount of money separating  what they say the Authority owes and what the Authority feels is due, Mr. Mezzanotte suggested that he write Kids First a letter proposing a payment amount.

 

4.  CCMC - In December when Mr. Auclair wrote to Mr. Mezzanotte, he said they were investigating the water leak that the Authority brought to their attention.  Mr. Mezzanotte has not heard anything further relating to the leak.  Chairman Murray, commenting on the letter received from CCMC questioning the billing they received for sewage treatment, said they are responsible for paying the fixed part of the invoice they received.  Questions regarding whether or not they now have excess capacity to sell were discussed.  Mr. Mezzanotte will call Mr. Auclair and discuss these issues.

 

 

5.  Laskas-SPE Agreement -In response to a question from Mr. Mezzanotte, Chairman Murray said the agreement and tapping fee have been received. from Dr. Laskas.           

 

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Ms. Forndran reviewed her written report:

 

1.  RRE -

Construction began January 20, 2003.   The plan of action includes starting construction   at the Ridings WWTP and moving toward the stream crossing on Ridge Road.  The contractor expects to begin working in Ridge Road by the end of this week. 

Flyers have been distributed to St. Cornelius School and residents explaining the Penn DOT detour requirements.  Ms. Forndran explained that the detours are for everyone’s safety and some inconvenience is expected.  Depending on weather conditions, substantial completion is expected by mid March with final completion the end of June 2003.

A resident asked when the tapping fee will be announced.  Chairman Murray said a professional rate analyst is working on this and the amount will be announced shortly.  If the information is available before the next meeting, a special meeting will be held to announce the tapping fee.  If it is not available until shortly before the next regular Sewer Authority meeting, it will be announced at that meeting. 

The monthly sewage treatment charge was discussed.   Mr. Shipley said it is hoped that, as more users connect, the current monthly fee of $70 can be reduced.  

           

            Lewis Hall and Christopher DiSabatino who own properties on Heyburn Road were present and asked how soon Phase 2 of the RRE would begin.  They asked if there was a way their properties could be connected to the extension.  After discussing the possibilities, it was suggested that they send letters to the Sewer Authority requesting that their properties be connected.  It was also suggested that they send copies of the letter to the Township Engineer James C. Kelly.  To connect these properties will require a revision to the Act 537 Plan.

 

            Also present to inquire about possible connection to the RRE was Robert Flinchbaugh, representing Tremonte Builders.  They plan to construct three houses on a lot on Ridge Road and asked about the timing of Phase 2.  Also discussed were other options for connecting this property to the Ridings Plant.

           

 

2. Inflow and Infiltration - Ms. Forndran discussed a program to address I & I problems and the corrective measures that can be considered for reducing these flows.  Her report recommends work to proceed promptly at high priority locations. 

            A letter regarding the field inspection report and suggested corrective measures has been received by the Sewer Authority members and was referenced in Ms. Forndran’s discussion.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

            A resident on Ridings Boulevard has sent a note to the Sewer Authority complaining about a light at the Ridings Sewage Treatment Plant.  She has suggested that a motion detector be used so that the light does not shine all the time.   Chairman Murray said he does not think a motion detector would be appropriate because the tanks must be visible at all times.  He suggested with the members approval he would contact the property owner and try to come up with a solution, possibly shielding the light so that it does not shine toward her house.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary