CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

                                                                     MINUTES

 

                                                                   April 19, 2005

 

            The 188th meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: Vincent Del Rossi, Chairman, James J. Murray, Vice Chairman, Frederick B. Hodapp, Secretary, and Anthony J. Cutrona, Treasurer 

            Absent: Paul Linsen

           

            Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Esquire, Thomas R. Smith, PE, Garry Paul, CFT BOS, James C. Kelly, PE, CFT Engineer, and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

            The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vincent Del Rossi, Chairman

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

$                      Chairman Del Rossi announced that due to Primary Election Day, the Sewer Authority Meeting will be moved to May 24, 2005.  Mrs. Taylor said this change has been advertised and a notice will be posted on the Chadds Ford Township website.

 

$                      It was also announced by Chairman Del Rossi that the Sewer Authority Meeting for September will be changed to September 13, 2005.  This change will be advertised and posted on the Chadds Ford Township website. 

                       

PUBLIC COMMENT:

$                      Mr. Mantakounis, a resident of Marshall Road, said he plans to build an addition to his house which will require more sewage capacity.  He asked if there were plans for public sewers along Marshall Road..  The cost of upgrading his present on-site septic system would be an unnecessary expense, if he is required to connect to the public sewer in the near future.

           

Township Engineer James C. Kelly responded that there are no plans for public sewers in that area at this time.  Mr. Kelly explained that a proposed subdivision plan on Marshall Road is currently being reviewed by the Township.  The developer of this property has been encouraged to contact Springhill Farm Wastewater Treatment Association to see if the property could be connected to that sewage treatment facility.  This might also be an option for Mr. Mantakounis’ property.  Mr. Kelly will contact the Springhill Farm Wastewater Treatment Association regarding this possibility and will let Mr. Mantakounis know what their response is. 

 

$                      Mrs. Tobin, of Ridge Road, asked what the status is of the Ridge Road Phase 2 project.  Chairman Del Rossi responded that the project is still on hold.

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MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the March 15, 2005 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion made and seconded (Del Rossi/Hodapp).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:

           

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                      $1,000.00                  

                        Receipts                                                                                         33,766.56

                        Balance                                                                                    $34,766.56

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $26,023.63

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                      33,668.57

Transfer from Tapping Fee - RRE Phase 2 expenses                 38,451.52

                        Dividends                                                                                        87.55                  

                        Balance                                                                                    $63,621.27

 

            Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -


                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $325,660.19

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

                 Dividends                                                                     1,754.69

                          Balance                                                                                  $327,414.88

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:      

            Invoices totaling $67,560.03 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $9,982.16 for Ridings Plant operating expenses, $8,989.12 for administrative and professional services and $48,588.75 for the DVRFA loan payment which includes principal, interest and an administrative fee.  After review, the bill list was unanimously approved for payment, as presented, on a motion made and seconded (Cutrona/Murray). 

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            No report.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

            Mr. Mezzanotte reviewed:

1.         Act 537 Appeal - An executive session following tonight’s meeting was suggested to discuss the status of the Environmental Hearing Board appeal.

 

2.         Tremonte Developer’s Agreement - After Mr. Tremonte saw the final agreement, he asked for some accommodations specifically regarding the escrow requirement for tapping fees

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2.and for some adjustment to the amount that would be required for the security escrow based upon a new lower construction estimate he has received. 

            Mr. Smith reviewed the lower construction estimate and approved of the reduction and the revised security escrow.  Mr. Mezzanotte said, after coordinating with Chairman Del Rossi, it was agreed that the tapping fee escrow is to be paid immediately upon receipt of a building permit for each of the three lots.  It was noted that Mr. Tremonte has indicated that he plans to build the three houses sequentially.  This would mean the tapping fee amount would be escrowed as each building permit is received.

 

3.         Ridge Road Storm Sewer Culvert - Chairman Del Rossi, noting the recent problem with water from the discharge stream backing-up into the Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant during heavy rains, asked if it would help to report this issue to DEP.  He asked if they would be able to get PENN DOT to resize the culvert under Ridge Road.  It is apparent that the culvert is currently undersized to carry the amount of storm water generated by heavy rains.  Chairman Del Rossi asked what impact the back-up of stormwater has on the treatment plant.  Mr. Smith said it does effect the meter readings at the plant, but it is hard to tell what effect it might have on the plant if it is a consistent occurrence.  Mr. Murray discussed the impact these tremendous flows of stormwater will have on the Ridings Plant permitted gallonage of 80,000 gpd in light of impending development in the area.

            Mr. Paul said, following Mr. Murray’s comment at the last Board of Supervisors meeting, the Township Roadmaster has been in contact with PENN DOT regarding this issue.  Mr. Kelly explained some of the more stringent stormwater requirements the Township has recently put in place.

 

4.         RRE Phase 2 Easements - Responding to Chairman Del Rossi’s question, Mr. Mezzanotte said he has not contacted anyone following the initial letters he sent to the property owners.

                       

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mr. Smith reviewed his written report.  

 

1.         RRE Phase 2 - All bid bonds have been returned to the bidders.  Upon the Board’s direction at the conclusion of the pending legal action by the homeowners, probably this fall, the Contract Documents will be revised to reflect the Authority’s decision at that time.

2.         Turner’s Mill - A design review meeting with the designer and manufacturer of the Turner’s Mill WWTP project was held at Spotts, Stevens and McCoy on April 7, 2005.   Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Kelly have expressed their preference for a nonsubmersible pump for the pumping stations.  The design concept is acceptable, and it was agreed to meet biweekly as the design progresses to completion.

 

            The Highway Occupancy Permit for the gravity line and force main to be installed along Baltimore Pike was discussed.  

   

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3.         Tremonte - An updated construction escrow amount submitted by Mr. Tremonte has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Smith.  The revised escrow amount has been established at $64,000.  Mr. Tremonte has indicated that he plans to start construction on April 25, 2005.  Mr. Smith will call Mr. Tremonte to confirm the start date and remind Mr. Tremonte that a preconstruction meeting must be held prior to the start of any construction.  

 

4.         Tapping Fees - Mr. Smith has estimated the cost to develop the spreadsheets and documentation to develop new Tapping Fees, based on the new Pennsylvania Act 57 regulations, at $5,000 on a time and expenses basis.

            Mr. Mezzanotte said his interpretation of the Act is that the Authority does not have to have a new Tapping Fee amount set by eighteen months after the adoption of Act 57 (December 2003), but, after the eighteen months, the Authority may not impose a  Tapping Fee that is not consistent with the new regulations.

            After further discussion, it was agreed to take no action, at this time, on setting the new Tapping Fee.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

            None.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

            None.              

 

OTHER MATTERS:

$                      Responding to Chairman Del Rossi, Garry Paul explained that the anticipated

grant to the Township of $150,000 for the Sewer Authority has been approved, and upon completion of some final paperwork the money should be received shortly.

            A breakdown was given of how the grant money is to be used. 

$                      Mr. Murray reported that Mrs. Foley, of Heyburn Road, called him to ask about

the possibility of connecting her property on Heyburn Road to the public sewer proposed to be constructed along Route 1.  Mr. Paul will respond to the inquiry.

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary