CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

June 18, 2002

 

            The 154th  meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

            Present: James J. Murray, Chairman, Sandra L. Morgan, Vice Chairman, John Spoehr, Secretary and Paul G. Linsen, Treasurer.  Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Solicitor, Angelika B. Forndran, P.E., Deborah L. D’Elia, CFT Supervisor and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

            Chairman Murray made the following announcements:

 

            1.  On June 10, 2002 the Sewer Authority held a workshop to discuss the township DVRFA loan and the payment options available.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            Mr. Moyer, from Raven Crest, thanked Mr. Heisler for sending him the Act 537 information he requested.  He asked the Authority what the process is for amending the Act 537 Plan, in particular the plans for St. Cornelius Church and Raven Crest.  Chairman Murray explained the process.  The Sewer Authority has not seen the revised plan yet, but when that plan has been completed there will be a, required by law, 30 day public comment period.  This will be advertised and the plan will be available at the township building or Mr. Kelly’s office for public review.   Written comments in response to the plan should be given to the Township Supervisors.  The public may also attend the Supervisor’s public meetings and express their views on the plan.  The Supervisors must consider and respond to public comments before final action is taken on the revisions to the Act 537 Plan.  Mrs. D’Elia said she would email Mr. Moyer when the public comment period begins.

 

MINUTES:

            The Minutes of the May 14, 2002 meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority were unanimously approved on a motion by Paul Linsen, seconded by John Spoehr.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $76,555.58

                        Receipts                                                                       84,283.62

                        Balance                                                                        $160,839.20

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $300,000.00

                        Transfer from First Union GF                                       80,720.09

                        Balance                                                                        $380,720.09

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                         .51                

                        Balance                                                                        $1,000.51

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $37,720.37

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                     0.00

                        Dividends for May                                                        63.39

                        Balance                                                                        $37,783.76

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $0.00

                        Escrow Deposit                                                            $15,000.00

                        Interest                                                                          0.00

                        Balance                                                                        $15,000.00

 

            Mrs. Taylor reported on:

 

1. Invoices for Sewer Service -  Mailed 101 Residential and 2 Nonresidential invoices for sewer service on June 15, 2002.

 

2.  DVRFA Loan Disbursements - No request was prepared for this month.

 

3.  2000 Audit - The auditor called to explain that due to some new government pronouncements the CFTSA audit for the year 2000 is undergoing an additional review to see if any of the pronouncements are applicable.  It is expected that the audit will be completed and ready for distribution by next month’s Sewer Authority Meeting.

 

            Mrs. D’Elia asked for some clarification regarding the audit and the DVRFA Loan.  Mrs. Taylor explained that each year she receives a letter from the Township Auditor asking for confirmation of amounts owed by the Sewer Authority to the Township.   This amount must always agree. 

            In response to a question from Chairman Murray, Mrs. Taylor explained that up until this year there have been no payments made by the Sewer Authority to the Township for the $1,000,050 DVRFA loan.   The Township has been making payments of principal and interest on the DVRFA loan with loan investment proceeds. 

 

            Mr. Linsen questioned the Kids First water use as reported by Chester Water Authority.  It was suggested that in the past this kind of increase has been attributed to a leak or possibly the


irrigation of new plantings.  Ms. Forndran said the amount far exceeds the anticipated amount in the flows analysis.   She recommended that Kids First should check their water meter and check for leaks in the water system.  Chairman Murray offered to contact Kids First regarding this. 

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

            Invoices totaling $31,221.12 were unanimously approved for payment from the General Fund, as presented on a motion duly made and seconded.

            In response to a question, Mrs. Taylor said that copies of the invoices to be considered for payment are sent to Mrs. Morgan, Chairman Murray and Paul Linsen prior to each meeting.

            On a motion duly made and seconded, invoices totaling $7,211.68 were unanimously approved for payment from the Ridings Operating Account.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            No report was given.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte reported on the following:

 

1.  Kids First - The attorney for Kids First contacted Mr. Mezzanotte regarding a possible meeting with the Sewer Authority to work out final issues regarding their connection to the public sewer.  Mr. Mezzanotte was asked to attend this meeting.  He will call the attorney for Kids First and give him the information regarding the planned meeting.

 

2.  Kassab/Ownership of Capacity  - Correspondence had been exchanged with Mr. Kassab regarding the ownership of sewage capacity.  A meeting is to be scheduled within the next two weeks.   Mr. Mezzanotte said it seems clear that the Authority wished to keep track of capacity ownership, and whenever a new assignee takes title to capacity, the Authority knows ahead of time where they are headed and that it is made clear to that assignee what use they can make of the capacity, and any restrictions on subsequent assignments.

 

3.  LSWSS Extension - Prior Connections  - Two residential properties were hooked up to the public sewer system some time ago do to failing septic systems.  There are special agreements with the Authority as to the allocation of costs and some of those costs incurred were to be credited against their tapping fee.  There is confusion on the part of the property owners as to what the nature of that credit ought to be.  Mr. Mezzanotte also noted he is charging neither the Authority nor the property owners for his time regarding this matter.   The Authority agreed that Mr. Mezzanotte should respond to the latest correspondence from the property owners.     

4.  Brandywine Conservancy Holding Tank Agreement - Mr. Mezzanotte reviewed the status of the agreements.  He noted that draft agreements were presented to the Authority last month.  Ms. Forndran has provided some review.  Chairman Murray said there are still some items to be addressed by the owner.  He suggested that when these items are taken care of it might be appropriate for the Sewer Authority to send a letter to the Township stating that approval has been granted.  It was agreed that there are two items being considered for approval, the Agreement and the plans.  Chairman Murray made a motion to approve the proposed Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of Holding Tanks as part of the application of the Brandywine Conservancy to use holding tanks.  The motion was seconded by Paul Linsen and passed unanimously. 

            Mr. Kelly said the Township and the Sewer Authority should expect to receive revised plans for review and any comments to be considered should be sent to Mr. Kelly.  Chairman Murray made a motion to give the Sewer Authority Engineer the responsibility to ensure that the tanks are installed in accordance with the Agreement and other applicable regulations.  This motion passed with three ayes and Mrs. Morgan voting no.

 

5.  Resolution to address Methodology for Determining Capacity Requirements for Nonresidential Users - Mr. Mezzanotte had distributed, for the Authority members review, a draft of this Resolution at last month’s meeting.  Mr. Heisler suggested that a guideline format might allow greater flexibility.  Mr. Mezzanotte reviewed the two methods of calculating capacity requirements.  He also reviewed comments regarding the use of flow meters and the use of reliable data. 

 

6.  Allocation of Capacity for Contractual Nonresidential Users - Mr. Mezzanotte said because of prior contractual agreements with the two contractual Nonresidential Users, he sees the specific allocation to be considered for them as separate from the general standards being considered for all future nonresidential users.   He said there seems to be a feeling among some of the Authority members that no matter how it is handled, there might be some potential for the handling of it to be viewed as precedent setting.  Despite that concern, Mr. Mezzanotte said he advocates dealing with the two types of nonresidential users separately.  Further discussion followed.  Chairman Murray noted that the longer the Authority takes to come to an agreement on this issue the more money for tapping fees and quarterly charges is lost.

            A motion was made and seconded that the owners of the Crozer-Chester Medical Center and the Rullo office building each be obligated to buy four edu.  After further discussion, the Chairman called for a vote on the motion being considered.  The motion did not pass on a vote of one in favor and three members opposed.  

            Chairman Murray then made a recommendation that the Chairman and Solicitor in conjunction with Ms. Forndran, CFTSA Engineer, be authorized to prepare an agreement and negotiate that agreement with the nonresidential customers in question.  Paul Linsen made a motion to accept the Chairman’s recommendation as stated.  The motion was seconded by John

 

Spoehr and passed with three members voting in favor of the motion and Sandra Morgan voting no. 

            Anthony Pileggi, owner of the Olde Ridge Village Shoppes asked how many new nonresidential connections have been made.  Chairman Murray responded that, to date, none.  Mr. Pileggi then noted under the new nonresidential rates, his sewer bill more than doubled.  He said this extra cost must now be passed on to his customers.   Mr. Pileggi gave a brief history of his purchase of capacity for his property.  He also said he plans to construct more buildings in the future on his property and feels he is being penalized for retaining currently unused capacity for future development.  

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mrs. Morgan reported on:

 

1.  Ridings WWTP -

            The newly installed motive pump has been having problems tripping out.  It has been decided that this is due to an undersized breaker.  The estimate for a new breaker and installation will be approximately $1,450.  The Authority agreed to authorize Mrs. Morgan to purchase the new breaker and have it installed.

            As reported last month, the problem with the blower stopping is continuing and it has been traced to one of the automatic actuators.  The cost to replace and install the actuator has been estimated to be about $1,200.  On a motion by Chairman Murray, seconded by John Spoehr the board unanimously agreed to authorize Mrs. Morgan to order the new actuator and have it installed.

 

2.  BSSE Project - The contract time has expired and there are problems with the contractor not fulfilling his obligations.  The contractor has been notified that the Authority is prepared to hire someone else to come in and complete the work not done.  98% of the work is done but the final check in the amount of $12,891.81 will not be released until all work is completed as per the contract.  A final inspection and sign off by Mr. Fazler must be done before the final payment is issued.  If the work is not done, another contractor will be hired to finish the work.

            The yard hydrant at the Woodland pump station has been installed but now a plumber is needed to connect it to the public water line.   Mr. Spoehr said he would contact a plumber for the connection. 

 

            Ms. Forndran reported on:

 

1.  Ridge Road Extension Project - The preliminary design for the extension includes a gravity sewer line from the Ridings Plant along Ridge Road including up to, but not all the way to, Heyburn Road.  Also a gravity line has been extended up to the high point in Raven Drive to accommodate the two properties that have failing septic systems.

            Ms. Forndran reviewed some design issues to be completed relating to the stream crossing approval and the crossing of Ridge Road.  The engineer’s estimate for a total gravity line is $218,535 and $113,715 for the low pressure system.  The estimate for the low pressure system does not include the additional cost of grinder pumps.  Ms. Forndran discussed some of the advantages and disadvantages for both types of systems.  She then answered questions from the Authority members. 

            Clement McGovern, representing St. Cornelius Church, asked what the status of the Ridge Road Extension Project is as it relates to the church.  He noted that there is a time issue that concerns the church.  Mr. McGovern also asked questions regarding the possibility of the church building all or part of the proposed sewer line extension to the plant according to the Sewer Authority plan.  He said representatives of the church are willing to meet with the Sewer Authority to discuss further some of the options and the details.

            In response to a question from Chairman Murray, Ms. Forndran asked if the Authority would want her to continue and do the costing out based on the connections.  The scope and estimate to do this work will be submitted before the next Sewer Authority meeting.  Mr. Kelly suggested this work should be coordinated with his Act 537 work and it would potentially be eligible for reimbursement.

            Chairman Murray asked that any member who has any thoughts about the Ridge Road Sewer Extension Project that was discussed tonight please do one of the following:

            1. Call Angelika B. Forndran, P.E.

            2. Jot it down.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

            Mrs. Morgan and Mr. Kelly discussed the status of the Knights Bridge Wastewater Treatment plant.  It was explained that the Henderson Group, owners of the plant, have received a permit to process up to 90,000 gpd from the previous permit for 45,000 gpd, but construction to expand the plant to accommodate this potential increase in flow has not begun.  Ms. Forndran noted that in the Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Inspection Report for Knights Bridge a suggestion was made that the Sewer Authority receive plans of the new construction proposed for the plant.  DEP’s concerns about privately owned sewage treatment plants were also noted. 

 

            The status of the Route 1 Corridor Feasability Study proposal was discussed.

 

            Chairman Murray said the Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant inspections have been completed and the reports have been received.  Mrs. Taylor will send copies of the report with the annual invoice to each owner.  Letters will be sent to the owners of Springhill Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Pantos Plant.

 

            The Eckman Pump Station work has not been done. 

 

             

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary