CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

August 19, 2003

 

The 168th meeting of the Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority was held on this date in the Chadds Ford Township building.

 

Present: James J. Murray, Chairman, John Spoehr, Vice Chairman, and Garry Paul , Treasurer.   Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Solicitor, Russell Smith, PE of Spotts, Stevens and McCoy, Deborah L. D’Elia, Vice Chairman, CFT BOS and Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary/Treasurer.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

None.

 

Chairman Murray noted time will be provided, following adoption of the minutes, for review and discussion of sewage plans for the proposed development of the former Barnaby’s property.

   

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

•                     Ron Coates, a resident of Painters Crossing Condominiums and president of the Homeowners Association, said, after reading an article in the Chadds Ford Post, regarding the planned development of Camp Sunset Hill by Toll Brothers, he contacted Ann Valee McLaughlin.  Mrs. McLaughlin spearheads a group called the Committee for Action.  The newspaper article stated this group has submitted an alternate plan for development to Toll Brothers for their consideration.  Part of the Committee for Action plan calls for Toll Brothers to fix or rebuild the sewer treatment plant at Painters Crossing Condominiums.  Mr. Coates said, during his conversation with Mrs. McLaughlin, she told him that the Pantos Plant is failing.  Mr. Coates asked the Sewer Authority members present if that is true. 

 

           

Chairman Murray said the plant is currently meeting its NPDES Permit requirements and to evaluate the expected life of the plant would require a professional study.  He did note to upgrade and expand the Pantos Plant would be a costly project.

 

•                     Marriette Tobin asked about the proposed changes to the RRE Phase 2 project.  Chairman Murray said there have been changes to include some properties on the southeast side of Heyburn Road.  Russ Smith said that Public Notice for the minor Act 537 Plan Revision has been published for the Public Comment period.   A public meeting will be held on September 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the township building for further information on the project, and to receive comments from the public.  Chairman Murray said that several properties in this area have failing systems and the property owners have requested that their properties be included in the plans for this phase of the Ridge Road Extension Project.

 

In response to a question from Mrs. Tobin, Chairman Murray explained the status of available capacity at the Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant.

 

            Mrs. Tobin, commenting on an article she read in the newspaper, asked, if the problem of

            the sewage spill on Ridge Road that occurred in late June of this year, has been addressed

            and what steps have been taken to see that it doesn’t happen again.  Chairman Murray

            responded that the spill was due to a combination of heavy rainfall and the failure of the

temporary plug at the Crozer Chester Manhole.  The conditions at the manhole have been addressed and the expected connections should be made soon.

 

MINUTES:

 

There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the July 29, 2003 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Spoehr/Murray).

 

PLAN DISCUSSION - ENZO’S SOUTH

 

Ted Jasinski, AIA, of Vollmer Associates, representing Antimo Varriale presented plans for the Enzo’s South development.  This property was formerly known as Barnaby’s and Kopy Katz and has been purchased by Mr. Varriale.  He plans to construct about 30,000 square feet of retail space and maintain the restaurant portion in the existing building.  The Preliminary/Final plan for this development has received recommended approval from the CFT Planning Commission, but there are still sewer issues that need to be addressed. 

 

Discussion followed relating to changes to the sewage plan.   Mr. Jasinski’s said they planned to request final approval of the plan by the Board of Supervisors at the September 8, 2003 meeting.   Chairman Murray suggested that they present the plan to the Board of Supervisors as planned and ask for final approval contingent upon review and approval of the sewage plan by the Sewer Authority.  

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $10,802.41

                        Receipts                                                                                                     1,500.00

                        Balance                                                                                                $12,302.41

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $368,595.06

Receipts                                                                                                 0.00

                        Balance                                                                          $368,595.06

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                       $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                                              8,815.60                       

                        Balance                                                                                                $9,815.60

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                                $27,659.79

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                                            8,815.60

                        Dividends                                                                                             13.92

                        Balance                                                                                                $36,489.31

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                        $15,205.39

                        Interest                                                                                                 11.43

                        Balance                                                                                                $15,216.82

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:     

 

            RIDINGS OPERATING ACCOUNT - Invoices totaling $5,059.50 presented for payment from the Ridings Operating Account were discussed.  Following discussion, the bills to be paid from the Ridings Operating Account were unanimously approved for payment on a motion duly made and seconded (Spoehr/Paul).

 

            GENERAL FUND - Invoices totaling $6,667.13 were presented for payment from the General Fund.  Chairman Murray and Mr. Paul questioned whether the Spotts, Stevens and McCoy invoice for  RRE change orders had been included in the amount submitted for reimbursement.  After further discussion, Mr. Smith suggested that the check for Spotts, Stevens and McCoy in the amount of $4,991.15 be held until next month so that an explanation of the invoice can be provided by Ms. Forndran, who is currently on vacation.  After the Spotts, Stevens and McCoy invoice was subtracted from the list of bills to be approved, a motion was made and seconded (Spoehr/Paul) to approve payment of the invoices to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $1,675.98.  The motion passed unanimously

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

Mr. Mezzanotte gave comments on:

 

 

            Bond Claim Status - Additional information has been sent to the bonding company as they requested.  Metro/UTC, Ltd. has sent a four page response to the claim.  The adjustor will review the Metro response and get back to Mr. Mezzanotte as soon as possible.

 

            Chairman Murray asked about the status of  of Crozer Chester Medical Center (CCMC) having excess edus to make available for purchase by those commercial properties in need of capacity.  Mr. Mezzanotte reminded the members that once the excess edus are labeled as being for sale, CCMC will not be charged the flat rate for them whether or not they are actually sold.  It is hoped that CCMC will make the connection to the sewer system within a month.

 

            A question was asked by Chairman Murray regarding the 60 day Notice to Connect letter that needs to be sent to the residents by the CFT Board of Supervisors.   Ms. D’Elia said the supervisors approved the sending of the letters at their August meeting and township secretary, Maryann Furlong, will be sending out these letters soon.  Mrs. Taylor will supply Mrs. Furlong with any necessary information.  

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

 

 

1.         Minor Act 537 Revision - Mr. Smith, responding to Chairman Murray’s question about the Minor Act 537 Revision for the RRE project, read from Ms. Forndran’s written report.  Ms. Forndran has submitted the Minor Act 537 Revision for review by the Township, Sewer Authority and the public.  The revision has been advertised for the review and public comment period until September 8, 2003.  The schedule calls for adoption by Township Board of Supervisors on September 8, 2003 subject to revisions.  A public meeting for information and public comment by district residents, Township and Authority is scheduled for 09/04/03

 

Responding to a question from Mrs. Tobin, Chairman Murray said the public meeting is advertised for September 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Building, and a letter will be sent to residents of the RRE district to inform them of the meeting.

 

 

 

2.            Springhill Farm WWTP Review - A draft of an industrial pretreatment program ordinance for updating existing ordinance, setting more stringent discharger limits and self monitoring requirements has been provided to the township engineer for consideration.

 

DEP requires a submittal by November 11, 2003 and the Authority items are expected to be completed by October 21, 2003.

           


 

3.         RRE - Phase 1- The contractor restored areas washed out during heavy rains and the project work is completed for this phase of the RRE.  Final closeout paper work to be submitted for Authority and Solicitor files.

 

 

4.                   Ongoing Items -


 

<                 I & I Reduction - No new work initiated this month.

<                 Ridings WWTP - Continued correspondence with operator, regarding chlorine dosing for inhibiting filamentous growth.

<                 Corresponded with Code Enforcement Officer and SEO regarding grease interceptor approvals and reviewed items regarding Brandywine Museum holding tank replacement.

 

 

5.                   Developers Reviews -


 

<                 Enzo’s - DEP approved planning module exemption for 5,250 gpd in accordance with Authority capacity.  Plans not officially received for review.  Preliminary discussions started between Authority and Developer for sewer connection recommendations.

<                                          Tremonte Subdivision - Final design recommendations for sewer connection and review comments submitted August 13, 2003.  DEP approved planning module exemption for 690 gpd in accordance with Authority capacity.

 

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

 

 

1.                   RIGHT TO KNOW ACT - Noting that the township already has a template in place, Mr. Mezzanotte asked if it would be best if he prepares a list of  questions that ask how the Authority wants to address each of the discretionary items.  After discussion, Mr. Mezzanotte said he would draft something to be considered by the Authority before the next meeting. 

 

 

2.            DEVELOPER’S AGREEMENT - Mr. Kelly has provided model agreements for the Sewer Authority to consider.  Mr. Mezzanotte will continue to work on this.

 

 

3.                   OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT - Mr. Paul and Mr. Del Rossi are working on preparing the Request for Proposal to be sent to potential plant operators.  Ms. Forndran will supply a list of known qualified operators.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary