CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

May 14, 2002

 

            The 153rd 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, Paul G. Linsen, Treasurer and Jerome S. Heisler, Jr.  Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Solicitor, Angelika B. Forndran, P.E., Engineer, James Shipley, 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 May 4, 2002 two members of the Sewer Authority met with two members of the Board of Supervisors to submit the engineers’ proposals for the Route No. 1 Corridor planning.

 

            2.  The amount remaining in the DVRFA Loan is most likely under $100,000.00 at this point and it is important that the Sewer Authority tie up all the loose ends regarding the LSWSS Extension Project.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None.

 

MINUTES:

            After an addition was made to page 3, under number four, as requested by Angelika B. Forndran, the minutes of the April 16, 2002 meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority were unanimously approved as amended, on a motion made by John Spoehr and seconded by Chairman Murray.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $225,556.35

                        Receipts                                                                       169,868.53

                        Balance                                                                        $395,424.88

 

 

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $0.00

                        Transfer from First Union GF                                       300,000.00

                        Balance                                                                        $300,000.00

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                       5,294.32

                        Balance                                                                        $6,294.32

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $46,147.69

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                     5,294.32

                        Dividends for April                                                       53.62

                        Balance                                                                        $51,495.63

 

            Mrs. Taylor reported on:

 

1. Connection Applications - As of May 9, 2002 there were 29 applications processed and $346,573.40 collected.

 

2. DVRFA Loan Disbursement Form No. 44 - This request in the amount of $12,176.20 is for money transferred to the Sewer Authority’s checking account for expenses relating to the BSSE Project.

            A motion was made to approve DVRFA Loan Disbursement Request No. 44 in the amount of $12,176.20 pursuant to the loan agreement with Chadds Ford Township.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.  The document was then signed as required.

 

3.  DVRFA Loan Balance - The latest estimate of the money available in the loan is approximately $65,000.

 

4.  Pump Station Invoices - Checks approved but being held until contract requirements are completed:

•                                                         Hydra-Numatic for Woodland Pump Station auto dialer.  Mrs. Morgan said this check can be sent.

•                                                         Metro/UTC. Pay request #8 to reduce retainage amount, continue to hold.

•                                                         Cummins for Woodland Pump Station generator, continue to hold.

•                                             Site Specific for grinder pump at Fech property, continue to hold.

 

            In response to a question from Chairman Murray, Mrs. Morgan said Chester Water Authority has agreed to reimburse the Sewer Authority for expenses incurred due to damage to      the newly installed sewer line caused by CWA, but we have not received payment yet.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

            In response to a question, Mrs. Taylor responded that at this time expenses relating to the Ridge Road Extension are being paid from the General Fund, but that could be changed if the Authority would prefer to take it from the DVRFA loan.  After discussion it was agreed that these expenses should be paid from the General Fund.

            A question was raised regarding whether the start up of the Woodland Pump Station was an operating or capital expense.  Discussion followed and it was decided that this expense should be considered a capital expense.

            Invoices totaling $18,869.30 were then unanimously approved for payment form the General Fund on a motion duly made, and seconded.

 

            After discussion regarding the new pump expense, it was decided that this should be considered a capital expense for the Ridings Plant and not an operating expense.  Mrs. Taylor said she would record this expense as a Capital Improvement expense rather than an operating expense.

            On a motion duly made and seconded, invoices totaling $13,775.26 were unanimously approved for payment from the Ridings Operating Fund.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            Chairman Murray noted that, as of this date, the accounts receivable are in excellent condition.  It was also noted that the commercial account, which has been in arrears for some time, currently has a zero balance due.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte presented for discussion and review:

 

1.  Brandywine Conservancy Holding Tank Agreement - A proposed agreement has been submitted on behalf of the Brandywine Conservancy.  Copies were distributed for review by the Sewer Authority.  Dimitri Frangiadis from the Conservancy was present and explained that it will be necessary to relocate the holding tanks as a result of the capital improvement program to be done on the Conservancy properties.  He noted that as part of the project the thirty year old tanks will be replaced with two new tanks.  John Ibach, as SEO for Chadds Ford Township will be reviewing the plans, but because, by Ordinance, the Sewer Authority has jurisdiction over holding tanks, the Conservancy is submitting the plans and Holding Tank Agreement to the Authority for its review also.

            Mr. Mezzanotte said it seems clear under the current Ordinance that the Sewer Authority is given the authority for approving the holding tank and perhaps, in practice, the Sewage Enforcement Officer actually issues permits and on an ongoing basis the applicant is obliged to meet both the requirements of the Sewer Authority and the Township.

            Chairman Murray asked if any thought has been given to anchoring the tanks since they will be located in the flood plain.

            Ms. Forndran said she had received a copy of the proposed agreement language from Mr. Barnard, and there has previously been an issue between what is in the Ordinance of the Township and what is actually the role of the Authority.  Chairman Murray said the SEO issues the permit and the Sewer Authority approves the plan.  He further explained that the SEO does not get into the act at all until after the Sewer Authority performs their obligation under the Ordinance.

            Mr. Heisler asked if there is some temporary solution that would allow the authority to review the plans before the permit is issued for the new tanks.  Mr. Heisler offered to help move this along, and if a complete set of the application and the drawings are sent to our engineer Ms. Forndran, she will see that the members get copies to review, and the Authority will try to have a decision by the next Authority meeting.

 

2.  Letter from Walter Fazler - Mr. Mezzanotte received a copy of a letter dated May 7, 2002 from Mr. Fazler to Metro/UTC.  The letter notifies Metro that the contract time for the project has expired and indicating that there were some substantial completion items left undone.

 

3.  Draft of Resolution No. 5 - The purpose of this Resolution is to provide the methodology for determining the capacity requirement for nonresidential users of the public sewer system.  The Authority members were asked to review the document and give Mr. Mezzanotte their comments so that a final form could be prepared for adoption.

 

4.  Commercial Users Agreements - The latest draft of this Agreement was reviewed by Mr. Mezzanotte.  After explaining some of the points in Section 6, Mr. Mezzanotte asked that the members review this agreement and offer any comments so that the agreement can be finalized.

 

            Chairman Murray asked Mr. Mezzanotte if the current owner of the former Suburban Federal Bank property has been defined.  He also asked if it is known who currently owns the edus of capacity previously owned by Suburban Federal Bank.  After discussing this matter with Mr. Barnard and seeing some of the records, Mr. Mezzanotte said it seems quite clear that the Authority was ready to approve the transfer of the capacity from Suburban Federal Bank to Mr. Kassab, but it seems the Agreement was never put in place.  In reply to a question from Chairman Murray, Mr. Mezzanotte said he thinks Mr. Kassab believes he owns the capacity, acquiring it when he purchased the property.

            Chairman Murray further stated that the Authority must give their approval to any sale of capacity and he does not recall signing off on the capacity sold to Dr. Laskas.

            Supervisor Jim Shipley suggested that a list of the owners of sewage capacity and the amount they own should be published as a public record of who owns the capacity.

            After further discussion, Mr. Mezzanotte suggested it might be necessary to sit down with all of the principals involved to sort out the capacity ownership questions.

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mrs. Morgan reported on:

 

1.  BSSE Project - As previously mentioned, a letter was sent by Walter Fazler, P.E., project engineer, to Metro/UTC, Ltd. notifying them that the Contract Time for the project has expired and that Substantial Completion as defined in the contract has not been achieved.  Metro has responded with a letter stating their intention to complete the work by Friday, May 17, 2002.  A wait and see approach will be taken by the Authority, and if the work is not completed as promised by Metro, the work will be done and paid for from the retainage as permitted by the contact.

 

2.  Riding WWTP - The new pump itself has been received, and as soon as the gaskets, etc. arrive, American Water Services will schedule the installation.

            It was requested that the Authority consider the purchase of a new decant pump for the plant.  A quote has not been received yet, but it is expected to be less that $500.  Mr. Heisler made a motion to approve the purchase of a new decant pump for the Ridings Plant at a cost not to exceed $750.  The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.          

            It was also noted that there has been some trouble with one of the blowers.  Jet Tech will try to correct it.

            Chairman Murray reported that the grass and weeds at the plant have been cut.

            The Authority members were reminded by Chairman Murray of the importance of considering the purchase of a generator for the Ridings Plant.

 

            The ownership of the unused manhole at Kids First was discussed.  It was explained that the contractor for Kids First purchased the manholes before the agreement with the Authority was approved.  It was noted that Kids Firs has been told that the manhole was not needed and the Authority was not paying for it.  There have been complaints from the neighbors regarding the unused manhole still on the site.

            Chairman Murray said he will prepare a letter to be sent by Mrs. Taylor to Kids First to settle the manhole issue once and for all.

 

Ms. Forndran reported on:

 

1.  Annual Inspection of Private Wastewater Treatment Plants - The inspections are scheduled for May 16, 2002 with Mr. Linsen of the Sewer Authority accompanying Dave Young of SSM.  Supervisor Deborah D’Elia will also accompany the group for the plant inspections.  After discussion, it was determined that the inspections will begin with the Pantos plant at 8:00 a.m. on May 16.

 

2.  Ridge Road Extension Project - The preliminary base plan has been prepared.  The plan presented was briefly reviewed by Ms. Forndran.  She also discussed some of the permitting that will be necessary as well as a possible detour during construction.

 

            Mr. Heisler asked if Ms. Forndran would try to locate the manhole that is supposed to be under the berm and which has not been positively located.

 

OVERSIGHT:

Commercial Users Rates - The current commercial users have not been notified that their sewer rate will be changed with the June 15, 2002 quarterly billing.  Mr. Heisler volunteered to write the two letters.  Mr. Heisler asked that Mrs. Taylor fax him the addresses of the two property owners and a copy of the letter sent to the other nonresidential property owners.

 

            After a comment regarding the Authority’s inability to charge fees to property owners who hold capacity for undeveloped ground, Supervisor Jim Shipley said he would like to look into this further.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary