CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

May 18, 2004

 

            The 177th  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, Deborah L. D’Elia, 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:

1.                  A letter from DEP dated April 30, 2004, regarding the Act 537 revision for the Ridge Road Sewer Extension Phase II, has been received. Mr. Smith will comment on the letter in his Engineer’s Report to be given later in tonight’s meeting.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None for this meeting.

 

MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the April 20, 2004 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Linsen/Del Rossi).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

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

           

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $1,000.00                       

                        Receipts                                                                                                     7,390.10

                        Balance                                                                                                $8,390.10

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $360,276.89

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

                 Dividends                                                                                     ------.--                        Balance                                                                                                $360,276.89

 

            Ridings Operating Account - Wachovia

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                       $1,000.00

                        Transferred to General Fund to close account                                        1,000.00                       

                        Balance                                                                                                $0.00

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                                $43,291.67

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                                7,390.10

                        Dividends                                                                                                    29.55

                        Balance                                                                                                $50,711.32

 

            Mongiovi Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                        $15,303.43

                        Interest                                                                                                           10.67

                        Balance                                                                                                $15,314.10

 

Mrs. Taylor reported:

 

1.                  Ridings Operating Account at Wachovia Bank - This account was closed on May 11, 2004.  The balance in this account on that date was $1,000.  This amount was transferred to the General Fund Account at Wachovia Bank.

 

2.                  CFTSA Resolution No. 9 - The purpose of this Resolution is to add Anthony J. Cutrona’s name as an authorized signer for checks drawn on the Wachovia Bank accounts and to remove former Authority member Garry Paul’s name from the list.  CFTSA Resolution No. 9 for the purpose stated above was passed unanimously on a motion duly made and seconded (Murray/Linsen).

 

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

 

4.                  SSM Invoice for Act 537 Support - This invoice from Spotts, Stevens and McCoy in the amount of $93.00 is for correspondence with DEP regarding RRE Phase 2 and is to be reviewed and, if found appropriate, signed and passed on to CFT for payment.  After review, the invoice was approved and signed by Chairman Murray.

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:     

            Invoices totaling $34,799.27 were presented for approval.  These invoices include $20,580.62 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $14,218.65 for administrative and professional services.  After review, the invoices were unanimously approved for payment on a motion made and seconded (Del Rossi/Murray).  Mrs. Taylor was advised the Flow Monitoring Report has been received and the check, previously approved, in the amount of $6,437.75 made out to Spotts, Stevens and McCoy may be released.

 

            Responding to a question from Mr. Linsen, Mr. Smith explained Toll Brothers have provided him with a draft copy of plans from Dutchland, Inc. for a wastewater treatment plant. Toll Brothers have proposed to build a wastewater treatment plant at Ring Road and Route 1 to provide sewer service for Chadds Ford village in addition to their proposed PRD development at Camp Sunset Hill and Painter’s Crossing Condominiums.   Spotts, Stevens and McCoy are reviewing the plans.  It was also noted that the charges for this review are being paid from the Toll Brothers escrow account.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

 

            Chairman Murray reviewed the accounts receivable.  Mrs. Taylor said several of the outstanding user fees that were due when the report was prepared have since been received. 

 

            The status of the tapping fees due was discussed.  All remaining unpaid tapping fees are in the Longview, Summit, Woodland Sanitary Sewer Extension area.  Chairman Murray noted that the owners of one of the two residential properties whose tapping fee remains unpaid have qualified for the Delaware County 0% loan and it is anticipated the fees will be paid and the house connected in the very near future.  A lien has been placed on the other property and the Authority will see that the connection is made and the property owner will be billed for any expenses relating to this.

 

            Regarding the two non-residential properties not connected, the necessary capacity has just recently been made available for sale and it is planned that these two properties will also be connected soon. 

 

AUDIT:

            Mr. Cutrona said he and Mrs. Taylor met today with representatives of Fischer, Cunnane Associates, the firm that prepared the Authority’s 2002 audit, to discuss the 2003 audit.   Later this afternoon Mr. Cutrona received a faxed proposal from that firm for preparing the 2003 audit.  The proposal exceeded Mr. Cutrona’s cost estimate and, before making a recommendation to the members, he will seek other comparative pricing.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

 

•                     Kids First - The agreement with Kids First has not been completed as hoped.  Their attorney has been away for two weeks which has delayed the finalization of the agreement.  Mr. Mezzanotte hopes this will be completed by next month’s meeting.

 

            Discussion followed regarding those non-residential properties needing to purchase capacity and the capacity CCMC has now offered for sale.  Mrs. Taylor was asked to send a letter to David T. Lafferty advising him of the capacity now available for purchase.  Mr. Mezzanotte offered to contact Dr. Mongiovi regarding the availability of capacity he needs to purchase.

 

            A draft of the proposed Developer’s Agreement prepared by Mr. Mezzanotte has been provided to the Authority members for their review and comments.  The members were asked to call Mr. Mezzanotte with their comments to be incorporated in the document for possible adoption at next month’s meeting.  A copy has also been forwarded to Mr. Kelly for his comments. 

 

            Two contracts for the sale of Ridings Plant capacity, currently owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Grace, are being reviewed by Mr. Mezzanotte.  He noted that he had discussed  the agreements with the attorney representing the developer proposing to purchase the capacity from Mr. and Mrs. Grace.  He was to contact her again to see if she has any additional comments regarding the agreements, but has not been able to reach her.  Mr. Latini, representing the developer, said their attorney, Kathleen Ittle, is out of the country for a month.  He assured the Authority she would have no further comments.  Chairman Murray said if that is the case, Mr. Mezzanotte would review the agreements and, if found in good order, the agreements would be signed.    

 

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mr. Smith reviewed his written report:

 

 

1.         RRE Phase 2 Planning Module for Minor Act 537 Update Revision for DEP

a.            Received DEP approval letter dated April 30, 2004.


 

b.                  Alternate routings and a partial gravity design are being investigated to determine the most economical arrangement.  Mr. Smith reviewed some of the possible alternate routes with the Authority.  He asked any member with comments to please let him know as soon as possible.

c.                   An updated Implementation Schedule was presented for the Authority’s information.  The new dates are based on the DEP approval date.  Mr. Smith commented that this is a very aggressive schedule.  It shows a Substantial Completion date of February 3, 2005.

 

Mr. Cutrona questioned the November 3, 2004 date for beginning construction.  He noted that would mean construction would be taking place in the dead of winter.  Problems relating to closing Ridge Road were discussed.  It was explained that very little of Ridge Road will be disturbed.  Most of the construction in the road area will be in the easement obtained from St. Cornelius Church.  The line to serve the Tremonte subdivision will most likely be bored under Ridge Road.  Other traffic control issues were discussed.

 

Mr. Mezzanotte asked for information regarding possible easements that may be required for this project.  Easements that may be needed were discussed.  Mr. Hall said, when approval was granted for the lot line changes between his property and Mr. Disabatino’s property, an easement for sewer lines was included.   Mr. Smith said he will have the surveyors verify where this easement is located.  Chairman Murray asked who owns the drainfield for the Raven Crest WWTP.  Mr. Kelly responded, from information in his files, he understands the Homeowners’ Association owns the absorption bed.  He also noted that it is not a building lot and can not be used as a building lot without very significant zoning variances being granted.

 

Chairman Murray reviewed Task E of the Spotts, Stevens and McCoy proposal dated June 17, 2003 for the Ridge Road Extension Phase II.  Paul Linsen made a motion to approve Task E, preparation of bid documents and bid review, at a cost of $4,300. John Spoehr seconded the motion and it passed by a unanimous vote.   With the approval of this Task, all Tasks from the June 17, 2003 Spotts, Stevens and McCoy proposal for the Ridge Road Extension Phase II have been approved.

The invitation for public bid will be advertised. 

 

Mr. Hall and Mr. Disabatino both expressed their desire to see this project move ahead as quickly as possible.               


 

 

 

2.                  Ridings WWTP                       


 

                          Flygt influent pump has arrived at the plant.  Mr. Smith said, due to recent events at the plant, he will need to prepare a new Scope of Work for the installation of the pump. He recommends that the Scope of Work be made available to contractors for a quote to install the pump.

 

 

 

3.                  Infiltration & Inflow reduction       


 

                        Flow monitoring study for the Ridings service area between March 1 and March 22, 2004 has been completed.  Three copies of the report have been submitted to the Authority for review.  Although the results show a general increase in flows during the three rain periods, the storm intensities were low, and the results lead to only general recommendations.

 

 

 

4.                  Review of Developers’ Plans

                        No plans submitted for review this month.

 

 

 

5.                  Action Items

            a.              Authorize preparation of bid documents for the Raven Crest Phase II Project.

 

b.                                          With township engineer, establish a procedure for the creation of a developer’s escrow, so that developers in the Township have a consistent means of assuring the Authority that funds are available to review, build, and inspect their developments.

c.                                           Authorize the annual inspection of privately owned wastewater treatment plants and report on their conditions to the Authority.  Mr. Smith said the inspections are scheduled for next Tuesday.  He will let Mrs. Taylor know if Dave Young is preparing the letters to the owners informing them when the inspections are to take place, or if she is to do the letters.

           

OTHER MATTERS:

1.         The status of the Grant application was discussed.  Chairman Murray said he and Mr. Smith will provide the remaining information needed by Thursday. 

 

 

2.                  Mr. Kelly commented that Concord Nissan now has all of their sewage disposal components located in Concord Township. 

 

3.                  Mr. Spoehr noted that it may be necessary to raise the tapping fee for Ridge Road Extension Phase II if the project is not completed in a timely manner.  He explained that, as delays occur, costs of the project will escalate. 

 

4.                  Mrs. D’Elia said a meeting on June 17, 2004 will be held in the Township Building at 7:00 p.m. to consider a land development plan for the Toll Brothers proposed development at Camp Sunset Hill.    Discussions with Toll Brothers have included infrastructure improvements.  Included in that would be sewage treatment matters as related to Chadds Ford Village, as well as Pantos.  

           

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary