CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

September 21, 2004

 

            The 181st   meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

            Present: James J. Murray, Chairman, Vincent Del Rossi, Vice Chairman, John Spoehr, Secretary, Anthony J. Cutrona, Treasurer and Paul Linsen.  Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Thomas R. Smith, PE, George Thorpe, CFT BOS, James C. Kelly, PE, and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

•                                                         September 15, 2004 - A meeting was held with members of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority and Board of Supervisors for an update on the status of the Route 1 and Chadds Ford Village sewer extension.

                                   

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None

 

MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the August 17, 2004 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Del Rossi/Linsen).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:

           

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                      $1,000.00                  

                        Receipts                                                                                         22,040.13

                        Balance                                                                                    $23,040.13

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $28,200.57

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                      22,040.13

                        Dividends                                                                                        26.31      

                        Balance                                                                                    $50,267.01

 

 

            Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $351,129.46

            Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                              ------.--

                 Dividends                                                                                                    Balance                                                                               $351,129.46

 

 

            Mongiovi Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $15,346.50

                        Interest                                                                                               11.22

                        Balance                                                                                    $15,357.72     

 

Mrs. Taylor reported:

 

1.                  Residential Delinquent Account - A delinquent sewer service invoice for a recently sold property  remains unpaid.  The invoice in the amount of $210 is for the second quarter of 2004.  Settlement on the property was June 9, 2004.  The account should have been paid at settlement and the new owners have refused to pay the invoice because they did not own the house during April and May.  Mr. Mezzanotte explained that the new owner would be responsible for any outstanding sewer bills as this debt transfers with the property.  After discussion, it was agreed that Mr. Mezzanotte would send the new owner a letter explaining their obligation to pay the delinquent invoice.

 

2.                  Fourth Quarter Sewer Service Invoices - The invoices were mailed on September 16, 2004.

 

3.                  St. Cornelius School Meter Calibration - There has been no response regarding the re-calibrating of the meters as required.

 

4.                  DVRFA Loan Interest Payment - An interest payment on this loan will be due on October 15, 2004.  The amount of the payment will be approximately $27,700 plus administrative fees.  It was agreed that Mrs. Taylor should wire the interest payment when due.

 

A question regarding the prepayment penalty on this loan was discussed.  Mr. Thorpe said in recent conversations with Lucien Calhoun, administrator for the loan, it was reaffirmed that there would be a substantial prepayment penalty.  Mr. Murray said he would call Mr. Calhoun and discuss this matter with him. 

 

 

5.                  Heyburn Road Easements - On September 10, 2004, Mrs. Taylor met with several Heyburn Road property owners to discuss easements that may be needed for the Ridge Road Sanitary Sewer Extension Phase 2.  The property owners in attendance agreed that they did not have a problem with granting easements to the Sewer Authority as long as they were necessary to complete this phase of the project. 

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:      

            Invoices totaling $10,084.93 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $8,312.43 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $1,772.50 for administrative and professional services.  Mrs. Taylor explained that the revised bill list includes $2,700 for a grinder pump at 108 Marshall Road.  This is a re-billable expense.  The property owner is responsible for all costs related to the purchase, installation and maintenance of the grinder pump.  After review, the invoices submitted were unanimously approved for payment on a motion made and seconded (Linsen/Spoehr).

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

 

<                                                        LSWSS Extension area - Mr. Smith is proceeding with the work necessary to connect the two properties in the LSWSS area that have not paid the tapping fee nor shown intent to connect to the public sewer system as required.  Mr. Mezzanotte has sent letters to the two property owners notifying them of the Authority’s intent to make the connections and that the property owners will be responsible for all costs relating to this work.

           

<                                                        Tremonte - Issues relating to engineering fees reimbursement to the Sewer Authority, developer’s agreement and escrow agreement with the Township and Sewer Authority were discussed.  Mr. Kelly said Mr. Tremonte can not begin construction of his Ridge Road project until all these issues are addressed by Mr. Tremonte.  Mr. Mezzanotte will prepare the necessary Sewer Authority Agreements this week.

 

<                                                        Late fee - Mr. Mezzanotte will check Sewer Authority Resolutions to see if interest can be charged on Accounts Receivable other than User Fees.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

 

Mr. Mezzanotte reported on:

1.                  Kids First - Arthur Brinkworth, from Kids First, has contacted Mr. Mezzanotte to inquire about the process to have Kids First finalize connection to the public sewer, now that capacity has been purchased.  Mrs. Taylor said she would send Mr. Brinkworth the necessary paperwork.  It was noted that Mrs. Taylor would prefer that Kids First pay the tapping fee and the Authority in turn pay Kids First for the construction of the sewer line through their easement. 

 

2.         Lawrie Property - An attorney representing the Lawrie family has contacted Mr. Mezzanotte regarding a proposed escrow agreement between the Lawrie family and the Capano group.   The agreement would tie the sewer capacity ownership to the ground, whoever owns the property, owns the capacity.  After discussion, the Sewer Authority members agreed they would be content with this proposal.

 

 

            Chairman Murray reported that a property owner on Summit Drive has said that construction of the sewer line through an easement on his property has destroyed his landscaping. Greener Nursery has given an estimate of $600 to restore the lawn in the easement area.

 

            An estimate of $324 has been received to repair Dr. Sizer’s driveway off Ridings Boulevard.  The damage was done when the contractor’s trucks ran over the curbing during the RRE Phase 1 project.

 

            Chairman Murray suggested that the Sewer Authority agree to both of these repairs and Mr. Mezzanotte prepare a release for both property owners to sign.  Mr. Mezzanotte said this seems appropriate.  After discussion, the members agreed to authorize repairs to both properties as proposed.

 

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mr. Smith reviewed his written report.  

 

 

3.                  RRE Phase 2 - Drawings and Specifications were submitted to DEP on June 28, 2004 for a Part 2 Construction Permit.  The project is under review by the DEP planning group, but they are withholding approval in light of the legal action and a resolution of the citizen comments and response.  After the legal action has been resolved, plan options may be revisited. 

 

Mr. Mezzanotte asked if a supersedeas has been filed.  If not, the DEP review process must proceed.   At Mr. Mezzanotte’s suggestion the Board members agreed that Mr. Smith should, within a week, contact DEP, by telephone and in writing, to ask what the status is of the Act 537 amendment review.   Further action will depend on the result of Mr. Smith’s contact with DEP.

 

It was noted that, to date, no one has requested a copy of the Citizens’ Comments and Responses, which were sent to DEP as part of the Act 537 amendment submission for the project.  The copies were made available at the property owners request.

 

Mr. Spoehr reminded those present, if the Ridge Road Phase 2 project does not stay on the projected time line, the tapping fee will very likely increase.

 

4.                  Turner’s Mill - Mr. Smith met with Mr. Kelly to discuss the Act 537 Plan and how it affects the Turner’s Mill Wastewater Treatment Plant.  They confirmed the planned 140,000 gpd plant will provide the capacity needed for the Toll Brothers Development, Painters Crossing, Chadds Ford Village, the Route 1 Corridor and other areas identified in the Act 537 Plan.

 

3.         I and I - During the latest hurricane, peak flows at the plant reached 74,000 gpd.  Mr. Smith is assisting Chairman Murray with investigations of the I & I issues at the Ridings WWTP, and reporting to DEP on the quarterly flows.

 

4.         Action Items -

<                                                                                            Assist in investigations into the quality of wastewater entering Ridings WWTP.

 

<                                                                                            Work on a new Tapping Fee, based on the new Act 57 regulations.

 

<                                                                                            Review the meter calibration requirements for St. Cornelius School.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

 

Turner’s Mill - Kevin Matson, of Kelly Engineers, presented plans for the property, owned by Chadds Ford Township, at the southwest corner of Ring Road and Route #1.  The proposal is to build a 2,753 sq. ft. new municipal building and a 140,000 gpd sewage treatment plant.  The sewage treatment plant is to be built by Toll Brothers.  An on site well is planned, but the possibility of the property being served by public water was explained.  Mr. Matson noted the approvals received to date and those that are being sought.  He further noted the impact on the project  the 1.7 acres of wetlands on the site will have.  The large sycamore tree will be saved.  Variances will be needed to use the site for a sewage treatment plant and for additional signage, and setbacks.  Stormwater management plans for the project were described by Mr. Matson.

 

Following the presentation, Mr. Matson and Mr. Kelly answered questions from the Sewer Authority members.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary