CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

June 17, 2003

 

The 166th 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 Vincent Del Rossi.  Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Solicitor, Angelika B. Forndran, P.E., Engineer,  James C. Kelly, P.E., CFT Engineer and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

•                                             The Sewer Authority is seeking the assistance of Senator Dominic F. Pileggi and Representative Stephen Barrar to help with the excessive charges due to PennDOT requirements unrelated to the original design for the Ridge Road Project.  These costs amount to $29,795.  Senator Pileggi’s office has responded to the Authority’s request to look into the matter.  Residents will be kept informed of any progress made.

 

 

•                     May 21, 2003 - Two members of the Sewer Authority met with representatives of the Brandywine Conservancy to discuss matters of general interest regarding sewers.

 

•                     May 29, 2003 - The Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary/Treasurer met with a representative of the Chadds Ford Township Board of Supervisors to discuss aged loans from the Township to the Sewer Authority. 

 

•                     A public meeting will be scheduled to review the status of the DVRFA loan.  Chairman Murray said he would like to schedule this meeting sometime in August, either at the regularly scheduled SA meeting or at a special meeting.   

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

None.

 

MINUTES:

There being no changes, the minutes of the May 13, 2003 CFTSA meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Paul/Del Rossi).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $30,473.67

                        Receipts                                                                                                     13,439.15

                        Balance                                                                                                $43,912.82

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $367,548.96

Receipts                                                                                     0.00

                        Balance                                                                          $367,548.96

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                       $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                                              1,484.70                       

                        Balance                                                                                                $5,484.70

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                                $34,799.36

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                                            1,484.70

                        Dividends                                                                                             31.76

                        Balance                                                                                                $36,315.82

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                        $15,163.21

                        Interest                                                                                                 28.44

                        Balance                                                                                                $15,191.65

 

Mr. Linsen asked a question regarding the Disciascio Escrow Account.  Chairman Murray gave a brief history of how and why this account was established.  It was explained that once those holding extra capacity offer that capacity for sale, there would be capacity available for purchase.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

<                 Chairman Murray asked about the status of the outstanding invoice sent to the Brandywine Conservancy.  He said the Conservancy was invoiced for work done by the Sewer Authority engineer relating to the new holding tanks.  Mrs. Taylor said copies of the SSM invoices were included in the billing sent to the Conservancy.  Mr. Mezzanotte will follow up on this. 

 

<                 Mrs. Taylor said 3rd quarter invoices to all Residential and Nonresidential customers were mailed out yesterday.   In response to a question regarding billing those customers in the Raven Crest Phase 1 area who had not yet connected to the available system, it was noted that it is not fair to those property owners who did connect in a timely manner for those who have not connected, to not be billed.  On a motion made by Paul Linsen and seconded by John Spoehr, the Board members unanimously agreed that Mrs. Taylor is to invoice all property owners where connection to the system is available whether or not they have connected.

 

<                 Responding to a question relating to invoicing the Brandywine Summit Nonresidential properties, Mrs. Taylor explained that although these three properties are not yet connected she has been sending the owners invoices for the held EDUs but not the usage charge.  Mr. Mezzanotte said as part of the overall agreement and understanding with those users, to prompt their earliest possible connection, the Authority had indicated there might be some forbearance on collection of a portion of that fee.  They responded positively and the only reason that they are not connected is that the Authority is having difficulties with the manhole in which they would connect.  

           

            Mr. Linsen asked the status of the manhole problem.   Chairman Murray indicated that

the contractor did a very poor job on the construction of the manhole and the engineer supervising the project indicated, by record, that the job was tested and it obviously wasn’t.  He further explained that he and Mr. Mezzanotte are working with the contractor to get the problem resolved.  If an agreement can not be reached, the next step is contacting the contractor’s bonding agency.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:     

 

GENERAL FUND - General Fund Account invoices totaling $10,024.98 were presented for payment.  After discussion relating to the engineer’s invoices, the Chairman suggested that the invoice for consulting service for budget and sewer rate calculations at a cost of  $2,992  be broken out as a separate item.  It was agreed that the check for this work would be included in the amount approved for payment, but is to be held until a separate invoice is received. A motion was made and seconded (Del Rossi/Murray) to approve payment of the invoices to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $10,024.98.   The motion passed unanimously. 

 

RIDINGS OPERATING ACCOUNT -  Invoices totaling $14,382.35 presented for payment from the Ridings Operating Account were unanimously approved for payment on a motion by Garry Paul, seconded by Vince Del Rossi. 

 

Mr. Paul and Mr. Del Rossi asked that they receive copies of the current American Water Services Operation and Maintenance Contract for the Ridings Plant.  They would like time to review the current contract which is in effect until December 1, 2003.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

Mr. Mezzanotte gave comments on:

 

 

1.                  CCMC Manhole 2-9 - A background of the problems with this manhole was given by Mr. Mezzanotte.  He explained how the problem was discovered and investigation revealed that the manhole has been constructed improperly.  First, not in accordance with what was anticipated to have been included in the plans and secondly, even though there were deviations from the plans, those deviations were very poorly executed.  Notification followed to both the contractor and engineer for the project.   After a meeting with the contractor and project engineer, the contractor submitted a proposal for repairing the manhole.  Authority Engineer, Ms. Forndran consulted with a representative of the company that manufactures the special type of grouting that the contractor proposed to use.  She then advised the Authority that the contractor’s proposal was in order, but the proposal should state that the grout application must be done consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations.  It was also noted that the Authority would need a guarantee of that work by the contractor, and the Authority expects to be reimbursed for expenses of approximately $5,000 incurred in searching for, discovering and temporarily stemming the I & I resulting from the incorrectly constructed manhole. 

                         

Mr. Mezzanotte suggested the members, in responding to the contractor’s proposal, consider a 1 year guarantee of the contractor’s work, at least $2,500 toward the costs incurred by the Authority, and giving the contractor 48 hours to agree to these terms.  If the contractor does not agree, the Authority would then make an application to the contractor’s bonding company and proceed to have the repairs done by another contractor.   He also suggested that the Authority seek to recover the remaining $2,500 of costs incurred from the project engineer. 

 

            Discussion followed regarding the Authority’s options in accepting the proposal

and the terms to be included.  Ms. Forndran noted that, if the material to be used to repair the manhole is properly applied, it should hold for a minimum of 5 years.

 

After further review of  Mr. Mezzanotte’s suggestions, the members agreed to accept     the contractor’s proposal for repairs, which would automatically include a 1 year guarantee under the original project contract.  The Authority also will expect the contractor to pay the $2,500 and to respond to these terms within 48 hours.  It was agreed to contact the project engineer regarding payment of the other $2,500 in costs.

 

2.                  Monjovi- Dr. Monjovi is considering purchasing the Disciascio property and inquired about the transfer of the currently leased EDU.  After discussion, the Authority members agreed that, if the Disciascio property is sold, there would not be a problem in the assignment of the leased EDU to the new owner.

 

3.                  Debt - There has been an inquiry from the Township regarding an outstanding debt owed to the Township by the Sewer Authority.   A meeting was held to address this matter with Mrs. D’Elia.

 

4.                  Lawrie Property - An attorney representing a prospective purchaser of this property has contacted Mr. Mezzanotte and indicated that there may be some residential development of this property.   The attorney also noted there has been discussion with Mr. Grace about the possible purchase of capacity for this property.

 

5.                  Barnaby’s Property - Mr. Yannacone, who represents the purchaser of this property has been reminded that in the Authority’s view the transfer of capacity to the new owner has not been completed because there has not been an Assignment of Capacity executed.

 

6.                  Lien and Forbearance Agreement - Three of the four property owners being considered for this program have not responded despite a follow up telephone call to each from Mrs. Taylor.   Mr. Mezzanotte has sent these property owners a letter indicating that it is time for them to fulfill the Lien and Forbearance Program requirements or formal action will follow.

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

 

Ms. Forndran reviewed her written report:

 

1.                  RRE -  


 

•                     Final walk through was done on June 4, 2002.  Four minor items remain on the punch list.

•                                             Ms. Forndran presented two copies of the record plan to the Sewer Authority and a copy to the Township for Mr. Jensen’s files.  

•                                             Reviewed the status of paper work including the maintenance bond.

           


 

2.                  St. Cornelius Elementary School Connection -

 

•                                             Reviews with Engineer and Mr. Jensen completed.

•                                             Final item is installation of pumps and control panel for elementary school.

           


 

3.                  Inflow and Infiltration -                                                                                                  


 

•                                             Submitted repair recommendations for Manhole 2-9.  Repair work to be scheduled.

                       


 

4.                  Developers Reviews -


 

•                                             Enzo’s -  Reviewed planning module submission for Authority reply to DEP with respect to capacity; need plans for review.

•                                             Tremonte - Reviewed submitted plans.  Some comments have been forwarded to the engineer, more to follow.  A letter will be sent to DEP regarding the minor Act 537 revision being done for this area.

           


 

5.                  Annual WWTP Inspections -

 

•                                             Inspections have been completed and the reports submitted to the Authority for transmittal to owners.

•                                             Some improvements regarding safety issues have been done at the Pantos plant.

           


 

6.                  Ridings Wastewater Plant -

 

•                                             I & I has improved and flows are getting back to expected average flows.

•                                             There are a few items to be discussed with the operator regarding the proposal for inhibiting filamentous bacteria growth and a few items that were raised in the inspection report.

           

Chairman Murray noted that the Authority has spent about $20,000 so far this year on I & I and we have to watch the budget.  He said that American Water Services has assigned a new operator to the Ridings Plant.

 

Mr. Paul and Mr. Del Rossi are reviewing the Ridings Plant operation information and the current Operation and Maintenance Contract in preparation for a new contract for 2004.  Chairman Murray asked Ms. Forndran for some input also.

•                                             By July 15 an I & I corrective action plan report is due to DEP.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

•                                             Ms. Forndran said there should be an initial flow meter reading at St. Cornelius elementary school as soon as the connection is made.  The daycare center is now connected but the elementary school will be tied in soon.           

•                     Chairman Murray reminded everyone that the Authority only has two sources of income; the quarterly sewer users fees and a monthly support payment from the Township of $1,500.  Because of this, the budget must be watched very closely.  He further explained that is why further I & I work and the filamentous bacteria growth inhibitor project must be postponed for now.

•                      A map showing Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Ridge Road Extension Project was discussed.  It was noted that this map shows the new house numbers.

•                     Dr. Patel asked about his request to wait to connect his property until Phase 2 of the Ridge Road Extension Project.  Ms. Forndran explained the status of the minor Act 537 Plan revision.  Mr. Kelly said there was no way anyone could make a recommendation to Dr. Patel until the Act 537 Plan revision for this area is completed. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary