CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

October 15, 2002

 

            The 158th  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 7:10 p.m. by James Murray, Chairman

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

            Chairman Murray reported meetings held since the CFTSA meeting on September 17, 2002 were:

 

            1.   September 26, 2002 - At the township building, representatives of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, the Chadds Ford Township Board of Supervisors, Sewer Authority and Planning Commission met for informational purposes regarding the Route 1 corridor study.  A presentation was made by Jeff Butler of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy.

 

            2.  October 4, 2002 - A pre-bid conference for the Ridge Road Extension was held, as advertised, at the township building.

 

            3.  October 11, 2002 - The bid opening for the Ridge Road Extension was held at the township building as advertised.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None            

 

MINUTES:

            Mrs. Morgan said two corrections needed to be made to the Engineer’s Report on page 4.  She explained that the item she was referring to was a line for the recirculation sand filter, not the sand filter itself.  The corrections were noted and the minutes of the September 17, 2002 meeting were approved as corrected by a unanimous vote, on a motion by Sandra L. Morgan, seconded by John Spoehr. 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $70,276.10

                        Receipts                                                                       54,813.63

                        Balance                                                                        $125,089.73

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $441,436.03

Receipts                                                                                                1,830.57

                        Balance                                                                        $443,266.60

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $1,000.63

                        Receipts                                                                       21,230.78                   

                        Balance                                                                        $22,231.41

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $37,891.41

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                     21,231.41

                        Dividends for July                                                         56.00

                        Balance                                                                        $59,178.82

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                         $15,053.21

                        Interest                                                                          17.78

                        Balance                                                                        $15,070.99

 

            Mrs. Taylor reported on:

1.  Site Specific Check - Two checks totaling $1,256.00 are still being held because all the conditions of the contract have not been completed.  Mrs. Morgan said she has called them again and there is nothing new to report at this time.

 

2.  Chester Water Authority - A check in the amount of $1,585.36 has been received from Chester Water Authority to cover the cost of repairing damage to the newly installed sewer line caused when they were installing the public water line. 

 

3.  Ernst Tapping Fee - A check toward their tapping fee has been received.  There still is a balance due of $844.86.  Mr. Mezzanotte will send a follow-up letter to Mr. & Mrs. Ernst.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            In response to a question from Chairman Murray regarding the outstanding balance owed by Barnaby’s, Mr. Mezzanotte said a certified check in the amount of $3,904.91 was hand delivered to his office today.

            Mrs. Taylor said a reminder for the Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Inspection Fee, that remains unpaid, has been sent to the owners of Knight’s Bridge Wastewater Treatment Plant.  She also said invoices for reimbursable charges have just recently been sent to The Brandywine Conservancy and St. Cornelius Church.

 

 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

                        Chairman Murray, after reviewing the invoices to be presented for payment at this meeting, had several questions regarding the invoices from Spotts, Stevens and McCoy and Kelly Engineers.   The Chairman recommended that these invoices not be submitted for approval until more details are provided.  After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that any work done by Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, relating to the Act 537 Plan should be billed directly to the township rather than through the Sewer Authority.

            An invoice, in the amount of $760, from Cummins Power Systems for a generator service call was discussed.  Chairman Murray said the service person at the site said the call would be covered under the warranty because when the start up testing was done, the exercise was not done under a full load.  This invoice will be removed from the Ridings Operating Account bill list for this meeting. 

 

            Invoices totaling $30,928.82 were approved for payment from the General Fund on a motion made and seconded. 

            Ridings Operating Account invoices totaling $5,540.82 were approved for payment on a motion made and seconded.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte reported on the following:

 

1.                  Kids First - Art Brinkworth is currently in Russia and is due back in the office by the end of October.  Mr. Mezzanotte has received a commitment that Sewer Authority matters will be discussed then.

 

 

2.         Delinquent Nonresidential Account - Discussed previously.

 

3.         Laskas - The agreement has been sent to Dr. Laskas.  He and his attorney have reviewed it and they have asked for some clarifications.  Mr. Mezzanotte has discussed these items with Chairman Murray and the clarification requested will be provided.   It is expected that the agreement and the tapping fee will be received before the next Sewer Authority meeting.  

 

4.         Rullo - The Rullo’s attorney has told Mr. Mezzanotte that they are on the verge of finalizing an assignment of 3 edus, two to one user and one to another user.   He expects to have some paper work on this shortly.

 

5.         CCMC - Recent communication with their attorney relating to the agreement and tapping fee indicates that this also should be resolved by the next Sewer Authority Meeting.

 

6.         Kassab - Previously, Chairman Murray discussed the capacity formerly held by Brandywine Summit Partners, an entity for Mr. Kassab, and the purported assignment of that capacity to LAPA I.  Mr. Mezzanotte explained some of the details of his communications with the attorney representing Mr. Kassab regarding the language of the assignment agreement. 

 

 

7.                  CFTSA Resolution No. 5 - A draft of this Resolution has been sent to all Sewer Authority members for their review.  The purpose of this Resolution is to adopt a schedule of attorney’s fees to be imposed on any filing of a municipal claim for sewer charges and for the subsequent work that might be involved in collecting on a municipal claim.  There being no questions or comments regarding the Resolution, Chairman Murray motioned that CFTSA Resolution No.5 be adopted as presented.  The motion was seconded and  passed unanimously.

 

8.         Lawrie - As a follow-up to the presentation Mr. Lawrie made at the last CFTSA meeting regarding the plans he has for        developing his family’s  property, Mr. Mezzanotte has sent Mr. Lawrie a letter encouraging him to contact capacity             holders. 

 

9.         CFTSA Resolution No. 6 Draft - This draft of a Resolution providing for the methodology for determining capacity             requirements for non-residential users has been circulated to the Authority members for their review.  Mr. Mezzanotte       noted that this draft of the Resolution was draft number 5A to distinguish it from previous drafts.  This latest draft     includes comments offered by Mrs. Morgan.  

 

            Chairman Murray asked if the members have decided if this subject should be covered as Sewer Authority policy or in a Resolution form.  Discussion followed regarding the method to be used to determine the required edu for a non-residential user.   Mrs. Morgan explained the method she uses to determine capacity requirements for non-residential users in townships where she is the township engineer.  Chairman Murray said he will need more time to consider the different views.

 

            Mr. Mezzanotte said he understands the lien and forbearance program that would apply to those individuals that need it to tie into the system will be addressed later on the agenda.

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mrs. Morgan reported on:

 

 

Ridings WWTP -  

1.         A price of $880 has been received to replace the recirculation line to the sand filter and to install an outlet for the printer cable connection.  This work was approved at last month’s meeting.  The installation of the previously purchased             actuator will cost approximately $300 extra.

 

2.         There is a leak in the roof and the fascia needs repair.   Jim Murray offered to get prices for this work.              

 

3.         There were some high storm flows recently.  It is not sure if the new chip installed by Jet Tech works properly. 

                          

 

A question was raised regarding I and I.  Chairman Murray said Mr. Tate, the plant operator, had checked the Eckman pump station in the rain and he found no accumulation at that time.

 

 

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

 

 

Ridge Road Extension Project

1                       Bid opening was held on Friday, October 11, 2002 at 3:00 p.m.  The apparent low bidder was N. Abbonizia Contractors, Inc. with a bid of $199,711.00.  Upon checking responsiveness, bid bond documentation and references and subject to the solicitor’s review of the paperwork, it is recommended that we proceed with the Notice of Award to N. Abbonizio Contractors, Inc.  Mr. Mezzanotte said, after reviewing the paperwork, it appears that everything is in order and they are the lowest responsible bidder.  Sandra Morgan moved to award the contract to N. Abbonizio Contractors, Inc. at a bid price of $199,711.00.  Paul Linsen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

 

2                       Within about a day of the Notice to Proceed, a preconstruction meeting will be held.   Mr. Linsen asked about the timing of the start and completion of the project.  Ms. Forndran said substantial completion is set for 60 days from Notice to Proceed, with final completion in 180 days.  The main issue that might prompt a delay is the replacing of the culvert on Heyburn Road which is being done by the township.  This will require coordination of construction work, since Heyburn Road will need to be closed for a time while the culvert is replaced.  Heyburn Road is the road Penn DOT has approved as the detour for the Ridge Road Sewer Extension Project.  Work on the two projects must be coordinated between the Sewer Authority and the township.

  

3                       The Spotts, Stevens and McCoy proposal for Task D, construction management, and Task E, post construction management, need to be considered for approval.  The cost for completion of Task D is $15,000 and Task E is $1,800.  Discussion followed regarding when full time construction inspection is needed.  John Spoehr made a motion to approve Tasks D and E as proposed by Spotts, Stevens and McCoy.  Paul Linsen seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

 

            Mrs. Morgan asked if the planning module post card exemption has been done.  Ms. Forndran said she has not done that, but the project is under the 250 connections which would make it eligible for the exemption.  She will see that the post card exemption is completed. 

 

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

 

·                    Chairman Murray asked Mrs. D’Elia when the Act 537 Plan revision will be done.  She said she is not sure, without checking with Mr. Kelly, but she thinks it will probably be in 2003.              

 

·                    It was noted by Chairman Murray that Chester Water Authority has filled in the sink hole.  They plan to go back and dress it up some more.

 

·                    Chairman Murray counted 17 dead plants at the Woodland Drive Pump Station.  He asked Mr. Mezzanotte if the Urban easement agreement included a provision that the Sewer Authority is committed to maintain the plantings at the pump station.  Mr. Mezzanotte will check the agreement to see if we are obligated to maintain the landscaping.  Chairman Murray will follow up with Mr. Mezzanotte to see what the easement requirement are and then we’ll go from there.

 

·                    Chairman Murray asked Mrs. Morgan if the Authority received the as-built drawings from Walter Fazler.   Mrs. Morgan said she received a copy to review which she returned to Mr. Fazler with her comments.   She will check on the status of the drawings.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary