CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

November 19, 2002

 

            The 159th  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, Paul G. Linsen, Treasurer,  and John Spoehr, Secretary.  Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Solicitor, Angelika B. Forndran, P.E., Engineer, 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 reported that on November 15, 2002, representatives of the CFTSA and CFT met with representatives of DELCORA regarding possible alternatives to consider in the township’s update and revision planning.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None            

 

MINUTES:

            Mrs. Morgan asked that on page 4, under Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant, the last sentence of paragraph one be corrected to read, “To add the installation of the new actuator will cost approximately $300 extra.”  After the correction was made, the minutes of the October 15, 2002 CFTSA meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded. (Morgan/Linsen)

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $94,160.91

                        Receipts                                                                       47,454.25

                        Balance                                                                        $141,615.16

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $443,266.60

Receipts                                                                                                0.00

                        Balance                                                                        $443,266.60

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                       9,704.35                     

                        Balance                                                                        $10,704.35

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $53,638.00

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                     9,704.35

                        Dividends                                                                     63.85

                        Balance                                                                        $63,406.20

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $15,070.99

                        Interest                                                                          17.80

                        Balance                                                                        $15,088.79

 

            Mrs. Taylor reported on:

 

1.                  2001 Annual Audit - The necessary records and information to begin the Annual Audit for the year 2001 have been delivered to the auditors. 

 

  

1.                  DVRFA Loan Request No. 47 - This request in the amount of $1,338.02 was presented for consideration.  DVRFA Loan Request No. 47 was approved unanimously and signed as required.

 Mrs. Taylor noted that among the expenses still to be considered for payment from the loan are stone for the Woodland Pump Station and the Kids First settlement.  

 

2.                  Insurance Renewal - A call was received from H. A. Thomson saying that the Authority’s insurance policies were up for renewal.   Mr. Mezzanotte said he would review the policies and advise the Authority if changes should be made.

 

3.                  SSM Invoice for Act 537 Work - An invoice in the amount of $1,542.45 has been submitted for payment.  Ms. Forndran explained what work the invoice covers.   After a brief discussion, Mrs. D’Elia asked that Chairman Murray initial the invoice to indicate that it was seen by the Authority, and then she would submit it to CFT for payment. 

 

4.                  CFTSA Resolution No. 5 - This Resolution, which was approved at last month’s CFTSA meeting, adopts a schedule of attorney’s fees to be imposed on any filing of a municipal claim for sewer charges and any subsequent work required in collecting on a municipal claim.  CFTSA Resolution No. 5 was presented for signatures at tonight’s meeting and was signed as required.  

 

5.                  American Water Services Chapter 94 Proposal for the 2002 Report - This proposal was presented for consideration.

 

6.                  Roof repairs at the Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant - A proposal has been received from Apex Roofing.  The proposal quotes a price of $700 to repair the roof and a quote of $3,200 to install a new roof. 

 

7.                    DVRFA Wire Transfer Agreement - Mr. Petrosa, CFT Solicitor, has sent a copy of an


agreement to allow the CFTSA to wire loan payments directly to the DVRFA.  Mrs. D’Elia said the Supervisors approved the agreement at the last township meeting.  Mr. Petrosa will send a signed copy of the agreement to Mr. Mezzanotte.  The agreement will then be signed by Chairman Murray.

  

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

            Ms. Forndran reviewed an analysis she prepared of an invoice presented for payment at last month’s meeting.  The Authority had asked for a more detailed explanation.  Ms. Forndran offered to supply any further documentation that the Authority needs.  It was decided to table this invoice until next month so that the Authority members have time to review it again.  

 

            Ridings Operating Account invoices totaling $8,322.09 were approved for payment on a motion duly made and seconded. (Linsen/Morgan)     

 

            Invoices totaling $8,498.30 were unanimously approved for payment from the General Fund. (Morgan/Linsen) 

           

            Chairman Murray said the Authority should have a good estimate of the total cost for the Ridge Road Extension by the December 17, 2002 Authority meeting.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            Mr. Mezzanotte said he had received information from Mr. Dignazio, who represents the owners of Barnaby’s, that the property was about to be sold.  In connection with that sale, Mr. Dignazio asked Mr. Mezzanotte for a statement of outstanding charges for sewer service.  Mrs. Taylor provided this information to Mr. Mezzanotte who forwarded it to Mr. Dignazio.   Mr. Dignazio said his client would also like a letter from the Authority confirming that they do indeed have the capacity they believe they have.   Mr. Murray will prepare a letter confirming this and Mr. Mezzanotte will see that Mr. Dignazio receives it. 

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte reported on the following:

 

 

1.                  19 Longview Road - A follow up letter has been sent to the owners of this property regarding the balance due on their tapping fee.   There has been no response to this letter to date.

 

2.                  Kids First - Mr. Brinkworth, who has been representing Kids First in negotiations regarding the amount due them by the Authority for the construction of the sewer line through their parking lot, has been in Russia.  He was expected to return by the end of October.  Mr. Mezzanotte has just recently contacted Kids First’s attorney to ask about the status of the agreement.  The attorney said he would contact Mr. Brinkworth regarding this matter and would get back to Mr. Mezzanotte shortly.

 

3.         Barnaby’s - The property is for sale and the current owners want to bring their account up to date. Mr. Mezzanotte is providing them with the information they need to do that.

4.         Dr. Laskas’ Property - In response to some questions Dr. Laskas had regarding the tapping fee agreement, Mr. Mezzanotte is making some minor adjustments to the agreement.  He expects the agreement to be finalized in short order. 

 

5.         Rullo - The tapping fee agreement and payment have been received.  Also within the last month, the assignments of excess capacity to other users have been received.

 

6.         CCMC - Since the last meeting, the signed tapping fee agreements and tapping fee payments have been received.

 

 

7.                  Kassab Property - The new owner has agreed to sign the agreement form that the Authority prefers to use.  Mr. Mezzanotte is preparing a document that will acknowledge that the capacity is held by the new owner subject to the CFTSA’s right to approve any future transfer.

 

            Mr. Linsen asked if Mr. Mezzanotte knew what the planned use will be for the Barnaby’s property when it is sold.   Mr. Mezzanotte responded that the letter from their attorney indicated that it is proposed to be a scaled down restaurant with some office use. 

            Mr. Jensen, CFT Zoning Officer and Building Inspector, said it has been indicated that the new owners would like to have a scaled down restaurant and add  some commercial retail space.  He said they plan on it being just a restaurant, not a bar or night club.

 

            Chairman Murray asked Mr. Mezzanotte where CCMC is on their surplus capacity.   Mr. Mezzanotte said he has not spoken with Mr. Auclair, their attorney, so he does not know whether or not they have prospective purchasers for their excess capacity.  Mr. Murray noted that there are three nonresidential properties that need to purchase capacity. 

            Mrs. Morgan commenting on the water use report for this property said their water use for the last quarter was three times the amount of the previous quarter.

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mrs. Morgan reported on:

 

 

Ridings WWTP -  

 

                          


 

7.                  Repairs to the sand filter recirculation line have been done.  A hole has been cut in the panel for the printer cables and the new actuator has been installed.

 

8.                     The plant did not fare too badly in the last storm.

  

            The proposal from American Water Services to prepare the Chapter 94 Report for 2002 was reviewed.  They have proposed to do the report at a cost of $1,100 plus direct expenses not expected to exceed $100.  After discussion, the proposal was unanimously accepted as written on a motion made and seconded. (Morgan/Murray)

 

            Apex Roofing has submitted a proposal in response to a request from Chairman Murray The proposal contains a quote for removing the old roof and install a new roof at the Ridings Treatment Plant for a cost of $3,200.  A second quote for just making repairs to the old roof was also included in the proposal.  This cost would be $700.  After discussion, the proposal to install a new roof at a cost of $3,200 was accepted on a motion made seconded and passed unanimously.(Morgan/Linsen) 

 

            Increased flows through the plant during the last rainstorm were discussed.  In response to a question from Mr. Linsen, Chairman Murray said it is believed that the majority of the water is coming from the intermediate pump station.  He indicated that there is a plan for regrading the area that has not been able to be accomplished.  Mr. Mezzanotte said he would review the easement agreement for the pump station to see what the Authority’s rights are regarding access to the easement.  Mr. Kelly suggested that if the Authority is not able to re-grade the area, they might consider just raising the lid to a height that would prevent storm water from entering the tank.       

 

            Ms. Forndran commenting on the AWS Ridings Plant Operation Report for October 2002, noted that the report mentions there was a permit violation regarding the TSS weekly average.  AWS indicated that it might have to do with the addition of 3,000 gallons entering the plant all at once.  Ms. Forndran asked if AWS thinks it is storm water or from the St. Cornelius holding tanks.  Mrs. Morgan said they did have an incident during a very bad rainstorm. Ms. Forndran asked if the holding tanks are being tested once a month as per the holding tank agreement.     

 

            Ms. Forndran distributed printed copies of her Engineer’s report for this meeting. 

 

 

Ridge Road Extension Project

7.                     Ridge Road Extension Project -  The Construction Agreement has been received from N. Abbonizio Contractors, Inc. along with the required documents.  Ms. Forndran has reviewed them and is submitting them tonight to the CFTSA and the Solicitor.  Ms. Forndran recommended that a motion be made to approve the agreement subject to the Solicitor’s review.

  

            It was explained that the actual start of construction depends on when the township will 

have Heyburn Road open to traffic following the completion of repairs to the culvert.  Ms. Forndran said, while Heyburn Road is closed, materials can be ordered and the pre-construction meeting can be held.  The contractor will then be able to start the actual construction in January 2003.  She explained that the estimated time for construction is three weeks.

 

Sandra Morgan moved to have the construction agreement executed pending the Solicitor’s review to see that everything is in order; and to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement when the Solicitor’s review is complete.  The motion was seconded by John Spoehr and passed unanimously.  After the Solicitor advised that the construction agreement appears to be in order,  the document was signed by the Chairman and sealed with the CFTSA seal.  One copy was retained by the CFTSA for the files and three copies were returned to Ms. Forndran.

 

Ms. Forndran said she sent a letter on November 11, 2002 to Richard Johnson, engineer representing St. Cornelius Church, requesting an update on the status of the design of the elementary school connection.  As of this date, she has not had a response. 

 

8.                     St. Cornelius Easement - A description paragraph and plan have been prepared for the preparation of the easement agreement for the St. Cornelius easement.  Copies were distributed to the Authority members and the Solicitor.  It was reviewed by Ms. Forndran, who answered questions from the members.

 

            In response to a request by Mr. Spoehr, Mr. Mezzanotte said within ten days he will provide Mr. Spoehr with a draft of an agreement for the St. Cornelius easement.

 

9.                     Act 537 Planning Support - Recent activity on this was reviewed by Ms. Forndran. 

 

            Mr. Kelly asked how the Authority is being reimbursed for plan reviews for the St. Cornelius connection to the Ridge Road Extension.  It was noted that there are provisions in the Standards and Regulations for an escrow to cover these expenses. 

 

            The status of the Planning Module Exemption was reviewed.

 

            Mrs. D’Elia asked which houses in Raven Crest are connected to the sewage treatment plant in that development.  Using a color map of the area, the properties to be connected to the Ridings Plant in each phase of the Ridge Road Extension Project were shown.  Ms. Forndran explained that as much of the existing line as possible will be used.  There also was a suggestion that the current Raven Crest treatment plant could possibly be used as a pump station. 

 

            Mr. Kelly said that it is planned that the revisions being worked on for the Act 537 Plan will be complete by January or February 2003. 

 

OVERSIGHT:

 

•                     Letters will be sent to the 3 residential property owners who have not yet paid their tapping fee.  An extended payment plan has been approved for 2 of the owners that have requested it.

 

•                     Chairman Murray said the Rullos have sold capacity to Mr. Barsh, and Mr. Rappucci so they now have capacity and we expect them to tie in shortly.

 

•                     There has been no word on CCMC selling any surplus edus.

 

•                     Dr. Laskas also should be ready for connection soon.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary