CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

                                                                     MINUTES

 

                                                                    July 19, 2005

 

            The 190th meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: Vincent Del Rossi, Chairman, James J. Murray, Vice Chairman, Frederick B. Hodapp, 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 7:00 p.m. by Vincent Del Rossi, Chairman.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

                        Garry Paul gave an update on the status of the Raven Crest Homeowners appeal.

                       

PUBLIC COMMENT:

                        None

           

MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the May 24, 2005 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion made and seconded (Del Rossi/Murray). 

 

            Due to the lack of a quorum, the meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority scheduled for June 21, 2005 was not held.  Responding to Mrs. Taylor’s question, the members agreed that the notice Mrs. Taylor prepared regarding the canceled meeting should be posted on the web site.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:

           

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                      $7,887.28                  

                        Receipts                                                                                         37,893.97

                        Balance                                                                                    $45,781.25

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $70,225.46

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                      13,693.87

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                        Dividends                                                                                        168.40                 

                        Balance                                                                                    $84,087.73

 

            Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $240,374.61

            Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                              ------.--

                 Dividends                                                                    1,638.03

                          Balance                                                                                  $242,012.64

 

            2004 Audit - Mrs. Taylor has been contacted by the Auditors and the 2004 Audit of the Sewer Authority funds is to begin shortly.

 

            Tremonte - As of this date the payment of invoices due nor the required escrow have not been received.

 

            Fee Change - It was suggested by Mrs. Taylor that the fee for sewer bill certifications be raised from $15 to $20.  Mr. Mezzanotte was asked to prepare a resolution to change the fee for consideration at next month’s meeting.

 

            Rullo - In response to the most recent sewer bill sent to Mr. Rullo for the property on Wilmington West Chester Pike, a letter has been received  saying he no longer owns the property.  Mr. Mezzanotte offered to call the attorney who represents Mr. Rullo to let him know that an Assignment of Capacity Agreement must be prepared and executed.

 

Holding Tank Agreement - A holding tank agreement received some time ago is still on file but has not been approved nor signed.

 

            Grant Money - Mrs. Furlong CFT Secretary has informed Mrs. Taylor that funds from the approved grant may be drawn on for money already spent on I & I work and the Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Phase 2.  Copies of paid invoices and canceled checks must be provided to the Township in order to begin the process of receiving funds.  The Board members agreed that Mrs. Taylor should proceed with gathering the required information to be submitted by Mrs. Furlong.

 

            Accounts Payable for June 21, 2005 - Checks totaling $6,415.41 signed on June 21, 2005, in the absence of a quorum, need to be ratified at tonight’s meeting.

 

            4 Summit Drive - A letter has been prepared to be sent to Garry Paul, regarding the condition of the grass in the area of the Sewer Easement on this property.  It was recommended that the owner of the property in question, be sent a copy of the letter and the photos of the area taken recently by Mr. Murray. 

 

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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            In response to Mr. Murray’s question, Mrs. Taylor said there are two accounts of some concern.  One is for the Raven Crest annual inspection fee, and the other is an engineering reimbursement.   Contacts have been made regarding these accounts and payment was promised soon.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:      

            Invoices for July 19, 2005 totaling $12,765.72  were presented for payment.  These invoices include $6,421.45 for Ridings Plant operating expenses, and $6,344.27 for administrative and professional services.  Also presented for ratification was the bill list for June 21, 2005 totaling $6,548.28 which includes Ridings Plant operating expenses of $4,557.11 and administrative and professional services of $1,991.17.

 

            After review, payments made on June 21, 2005 totaling $6,548.28 were ratified, and the bill list presented for the July 19, 2005 meeting in the amount of $12,765.72 was approved for payment, by unanimous vote, on a motion made and seconded (Cutrona/Del Rossi). 

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte reviewed:

 

1.         CCMC - Responding to a report showing another spike in water use at CCMC, Mr. Mezzanotte  sent correspondence regarding this to the attorney for CCMC.  An administrator from the medical facility contacted Mr. Mezzanotte and said they would promptly look into the extreme change in water use.  Mr. Mezzanotte informed the administrator that if there is not some explanation for the unusual amount of water use, the edu requirement for this property may need to be adjusted.

 

2.         Tremonte -  The required letter of credit has been received.  With Chairman Del Rossi signing two originals of the Sewer Installation Agreement tonight, the agreement is now fully executed.  The items still not addressed are: insurance certificates, tapping fee deposit of $10,891.60, developer’s escrow deposit of $12,000, and a field meeting with Penn DOT and the Authority’s engineer no later than 14 days following execution of the  agreement.  At this time, it appears unlikely that the completion date will meet the August 31, 2005 deadline as required by the sewer installation agreement. 

 

After discussion, Chairman Del Rossi agreed to call Mr. Tremonte tomorrow morning to make arrangements to meet at the township building for the purpose of receiving, from Mr. Tremonte, the required certificate of insurance and the escrow checks, and at that time, Chairman Del Rossi will provide Mr. Tremonte with a fully executed original of the Sewer Installation Agreement.

 

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3.         Assignment of Sewer Capacity Agreements (Rappucci) - Mr. Mezzanotte has prepared two Assignment of Sewer Capacity Agreements which have been signed by the new holders of the capacity and the sellers, Mr. and Mrs. Carmine Rappucci.  Both agreements were then signed by Chairman Del Rossi.

 

4.         Proposed Chadds Ford Township Grinder Pump Ordinance - Mr. Mezzanotte was asked to review this proposed ordinance and provide any comments to Hugh Donaghue, Esquire and James C. Kelly, P.E.

 

 

RT. 1 SEWER MAIN:

The Penn DOT Highway Occupancy Permit for this project named Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority as permit holder.  Mr. Mezzanotte had previously recommended that the township, not the sewer authority, should be permittee.  To make this change Mr. Avicolli, District Permit Manager for Penn DOT, has suggested to township engineer James C. Kelly, PE that the words “Sewer Authority” be crossed out on the permit.  Mr. Mezzanotte said he would send a confirming letter to Mr. Avicolli  regarding making the change in this manner.

.

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mr. Smith reviewed his written report.  

 

1.         Turner’s Mill Wastewater Treatment Plant - The final design submittals from the designer and manufacturer of the Turner’s Mill WWTP project have been reviewed.  The design concept is acceptable and is sufficiently complete to be submitted to DEP for review and issuance of the construction permit. 

           

Responding to a question from Mr. Paul, Mr. Smith said the design submitted by Toll Brothers was basically accepted as it was presented.   SSM did request a slightly larger blower be used to provide more air in the treatment process.  Other than that, Mr. Smith said nothing was added to the submitted design.  Mr. Paul said that should mean the cost for construction should not differ from what is expected.  

 

Chairman Del Rossi asked if the facility would be SKADA ready.  Mr. Smith said yes the electric conduit would be laid, but the SKADA system would not be installed.  He estimated the cost for including the conduit at approximately $50.

 

2.         Tremonte - The preconstruction meeting with Tremonte Builders was held on June 23, but construction has not yet begun on the development.   This project is a link in the plan for the sewering of Heyburn and Ridge Road.  Mr. Smith suggests that if the Tremonte project does not proceed, the Authority should consider an alternate to include the Tremonte portion as part of the low pressure sewer system.

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3.         Ridings WWTP Operations and Maintenance - Mr. Smith has prepared a brief Scope of Services to be used as a Request for Proposals from interested Plant Contract Operators.  Mr. Murray asked if it includes maintenance of the plant outfall area.  Mr. Smith said he would add this to the Scope of Services under No. 6.  A list of contractors to be sent the Scope of Services will be provided to Mrs. Taylor. 

 

4.         Annual Privately Owned Plant Inspections  - The SSM proposal for a single-day inspection of all facilities plus reports is $2,000.  If follow up trips are necessary, they will be at time and expenses as outlined in the SSM retainer contract.  The date for the inspections will be determined at the August Sewer Authority meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

$          Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Phase 2 -   After a lengthy discussion, Anthony J. Cutrona made a motion to authorize Mr. Smith to prepare the documents necessary to rebid Phase 2 of the Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension, with an option to include the grinder pumps.  The motion was seconded by James J. Murray and passed by a unanimous vote. 

           

NEW BUSINESS:

            None.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

            As a courtesy, and at the request of CFT Planning Commission, Scott Dickinson reviewed, for the Authority members, the plans he and his father Luren Dickinson have to connect the two existing homes and the three proposed new homes of their Marshall Estates project to the Springhill Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Springhill Farms WWTP is a privately owned plant and although it has been indicated that capacity is available, several issues must be worked out and a membership vote taken, before the planned connections to Springhill Farms can be confirmed.  Mr. Dickinson noted that All 5 lots of Marshall Estates have been approved for on lot septic systems in the event that connection to Springhill Farms WWTP can not be worked out.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary