CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

July 20, 2004

 

            The 179th  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, Anthony J. Cutrona, Treasurer and Paul Linsen.  Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Thomas R. Smith, PE, Deborah L. D’Elia, CFT BOS, James C. Kelly, PE, and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

<                                         Meeting on Saturday, June 19, 2004 for information relating to the proposed Toll Brothers PRD development.

<                                         Public meeting with residents on Monday, June 28 relating to the status of the Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Phase 2. 

                                   

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None for this meeting.

 

MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the June 15, 2004 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Spoehr/Del Rossi).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:

           

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $1,000.00                       

                        Receipts                                                                                                     46,488.53

                        Balance                                                                                                $47,488.53

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                                $3,968.65

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                                46,488.53

                        Dividends                                                                                                    10.20  

                        Balance                                                                                                $50,467.38

 

 

            Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $360,276.89

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

                 Dividends                                                                                     ------.--                        Balance                                                                                                $360,276.89

 

 

            Mongiovi Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                        $15,324.06

                        Interest                                                                                                           11.75

                        Balance                                                                                                $15,335.81           

 

Mrs. Taylor reported:

 

1.                  Addition to Bill List  - $62.59 has been added to the Bill List since it was prepared last week.  This amount is for windowpane envelopes and an endorsement stamp.  The revised Bill List total is now $32,591.34

 

2.                  Dr. Mongiovi - Copies of correspondence regarding the purchase of capacity from CCMC have been received from Dr. Mongiovi.  He has contacted Mr. Auclair, but has not had a response.  Dr. Mongiovi said, now that capacity is available, he is anxious to purchase the necessary 1 EDU.

 

3.                  St. Cornelius School Meter Calibration - There has been no response regarding the re-calibrating of the meters as required. 

 

4.                  No Trespassing Signs - In response to a request from Chairman Murray, Mr. Jensen plans to order 7 enameled metal “No Trespassing” signs.  Four signs will be posted at the plant and one at each of the three pump stations.  The posting of the signs is in response to a recommendation as a result of the annual liability loss control inspection by PIRMA.  The members agreed this would be adequate and Mrs. Taylor said she will respond to the letter from PIRMA as required.

 

5.                  Motive Pump #2 - A recommendation has been received from AWM to have the motive pump repaired which would provide a spare pump.  There is a proposal to have Deckman Electric to repair the pump for  $5,475.  Mr. Smith offered to review the recommendation from AWM.

 

6.                  Bill List - In response to a question from Mr. Del Rossi, Mrs. Taylor agreed to provide one bill list for all CFTSA operating expenses.  For now, she will continue to prepare a separate list of Ridings Plant expenses for Chairman Murray as he has requested.

 

7.                  Tapping Fee - Responding to Mr. Spoehr’s question, Mrs. Taylor said there is only one residential tapping fee that remains unpaid.  A lien has been placed on the property and it is planned that the Authority will connect the property to the public sewer and charge all costs to the property owner.  Mr. Smith and Mr. Mezzanotte will be working together to see this property is connected as soon as possible. 

 

There was discussion relating to the two non-residential properties that remain unconnected.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:     

            Invoices totaling $32,591.34 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $13,860.25 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $18,731.09 for administrative and professional services.  After review, the invoices submitted were unanimously approved for payment on a motion made and seconded (Del Rossi / Spoehr).

 

            Chairman Murray asked Mrs. Taylor to hold the check covering  the invoice from AWM received for extra visits made to the Ridings Plant.  Thomas Czop of AWM will be contacted to clarify some questions the Authority has regarding this invoice.  It was agreed the invoice, which has been approved for payment is probably correct, the Authority would just like the invoice to be more clear as to what work the charges cover.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

 

            No report for this meeting.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

 

1.            Purchase of Capacity - Both Kids First and Dr. Mongiovi have been contacted to confirm that capacity is now available for purchase from Crozer Chester Medical Center.  Mr. Mezzanotte said there should be no negotiating, on either the buyer’s or seller’s part, regarding the price of an edu of capacity as the price is set in an agreement between CCMC and the Sewer Authority.  Mr. Mezzanotte will contact Robert A. Auclair, Esquire, who represents CCMC, to follow up on this.   

                       

Mrs. Taylor asked if it would be appropriate for Mr. Mezzanotte to send a letter to the owner of the commercial property located at 52 Woodland Drive to follow up on the connection letter sent on June 21, 2004.  After discussion, the members agreed it would be good for Mr. Mezzanotte to send a letter to the owner of this property advising him of his obligation to connect to the public sewer and the result of failure to do so.

 

 

CFTSA Resolution No. 4 which addresses the lending of capacity to non-residential users was discussed.  It was agreed that this resolution is not effective.  Chairman Murray suggested that a new resolution be drafted that would allow the Authority to sell available capacity to any non-residential property owner not able to purchase it from those with excess capacity.  Mr. Mezzanotte will send copies of Resolution No. 4 to the board members for their review.


 

2.                  DEP Appeal - Mr. Mezzanotte has left a message for the attorney representing DEP in the appeal to ask for an update on the status of the appeal.  As of today, the attorney has not returned Mr. Mezzanotte’s call.

 

3.                  Developers Agreement - Board members agreed the sample Developers Agreement they had previously received from Mr. Mezzanotte would be appropriate to use.   The agreement would be prepared for each developer as necessary.

 

 

Mr. Smith will provide the information Mr. Mezzanotte needs to prepare the Developers Escrow Agreements for the Tremonte project.                         Mr. Smith explained the process of administering the Developers Escrow Agreements.  He noted one escrow agreement would ensure the money is available to enable the Authority to complete the work in a case where the developer can not or does not finish the job.  The other escrow agreement would be drawn on to cover required engineering or legal expenses for the project.   Similar agreements will be made between the developer and the Township to cover storm sewers, etc.  Mr. Smith said he and Mr. Kelly will work together to be sure their work and related expenses are not duplicated.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

•                                             Raven Crest Drainfield - Mr. Del Rossi noted, when he accompanied the inspection team during the annual inspection of the Raven Crest Sewage Treatment Facility, it was obvious the drainfield is definitely soggy.  He asked Mr. Mezzanotte how the Authority could determine what the problem is.  Mr. Del Rossi said they were told there is an underground spring causing the problem, but he would like to be certain.  Mr. Mezzanotte said he was sure the Authority could require a test be done but would review ordinances and resolutions that would apply.  Mr. Kelly said it could also be done through the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer.  

 

•                                             Resolution to Change EDU Gallonage - Chairman Murray noted there are new State guidelines to allow reducing an EDU from 265 gpd to as low as 225 gpd.  Mr. Smith agreed to calculate a potential new EDU amount using these guidelines.  He will have a report for the members to review by next month’s meeting.  The Sewer Authority will then consider passing a Resolution to change the gallons per day for an EDU.  Responding to a question from Mr. Spoehr, Mr. Kelly said the proposed sewage treatment plant to be built by Toll Brothers is based on gallons.

 

•                                             St. Cornelius School - A question was raise as to the capacity requirements for the old church building now that its use is being changed from a preschool to a gym and administrative offices.  Mr. Mezzanotte said the agreement with the church for sewage capacity is based on usage not the number of grades.  Mrs. Taylor will continue to read the meter at this building in addition to the elementary school building so that capacity requirements can be addressed.  

 

•                                             Tapping Fee for RRE Phase 2 - Mr. Spoehr reminded those present, if the Ridge Road Phase 2 project does not stay on the projected time line, the tapping fee will very likely increase.

 

           

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mr. Smith reviewed his written report. 

 

 

2.                  RRE Phase 2 - On June 28, 2004, Drawings and Specifications were submitted to DEP for a Part 2 Construction Permit and PENNDOT for a Highway Permit. 

Met with PennDOT to discuss single lane passage as opposed to detour. PennDOT recommends single lane passage.  A Highway Opening Permit fee will be calculated based on length. 

No response has been received regarding the DEP submittal.   The first response from DEP should be a letter stating the submission is or is not administratively complete.   Following that, the Act 537, engineering data, etc. will be reviewed before a construction permit is issued.  Due to the pending appeal, this work may not be done until the appeal is settled.

Mr. Kelly said DEP will probably continue to review the submission but will not issue a construction permit until the appeal has been addressed.

Easement requirements for the project were reviewed with Mr. Mezzanotte.   Mr. Smith will provide Mr. Mezzanotte and Mrs. Taylor with copies of the Ridge Road Extension Phase 2 plans.

 

 

2.            Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Inspections - The annual inspections of the Knight’s Bridge, Brandywine River Hotel, Springhill Farms, Pantos and the Ridings wastewater treatment plants were conducted on June 23, 2004.  The Raven Crest wastewater treatment plant was inspected on July 16, 2004.  The reports for the June 23 inspections were circulated to the Authority members of their review and comments.  As soon as it is prepared, the Raven Crest report will be provided to the Authority members.   Mr. Smith reviewed the inspection reports that were prepared for tonight.  He discussed some concerns and recommendations relating to the inspections.  It was noted that neither the Springhill Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant nor the Ridings Plant have a generator for use in the event of a power failure.


 

 Mr. Kelly explained the status of the inter-municipal Act 537 work being done as a result of a serious sewage spill from the Springhill Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant.  A report of the findings is being prepared.  Mr. Kelly gave a brief review of the probable future plans for operating the plant. 


 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary