CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

MINUTES

 

September 16, 2003

 

The 169th 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, Paul Linsen, Treasurer, Garry Paul , Treasurer and Vince Del Rossi.  Also in attendance were Angelika B. Forndran, 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:

It was announced by Chairman Murray that, in response to a request from the Sewer Authority for assistance, Senator Pileggi has arranged a meeting for representatives of the CFTSA and Penn DOT.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the possibility of reimbursement for costs associated with the Penn DOT required change orders for the recently completed RRE Phase I Project.  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2003.


 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

None.

 

MINUTES:

There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the August 19, 2003 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Del Rossi/Paul).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

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

            General Fund Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $10,626.43

                        Receipts                                                                                                     24,342.50

                        Balance                                                                                                $34,968.93

 

            PLGIT/Plus Account - Tapping Fee Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                    $368,595.06

Receipts - Transfer from Wachovia                                                        10,000.00

                        Balance                                                                          $378,595.06

 

            Ridings Operating Account - First Union

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                       $1,000.00

                        Receipts                                                                                              420.00                       

                        Balance                                                                                                $1,420.00

 

            PLGIT Account - ROA

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                                $31,429.81

                        Transfer from First Union ROA                                                            0.00

                        Dividends                                                                                             19.68

                        Balance                                                                                                $31,449.49

 

            Disciascio Escrow Account

                        Beginning Balance                                                                                        $15,216.82

                        Interest                                                                                                 10.28

                        Balance                                                                                                $15,227.10

 

Mrs. Taylor noted that settlement was held on September 11, 2003 for the sale of the Disciascio property on Wilmington West Chester Pike and the escrow account transferred at that time to the new owner of the property, Dr. Vincent Mongiovi.

 

Chairman Murray explained the status of the Crozer Chester Medical Center connection to the sewer system.  When it is completed, it is anticipated that CCMC will have 3 edus of capacity they will offer for sale.  Those waiting to purchase capacity, include Kids First, Mr. Lafferty and Dr. Mongiovi.  It is expected that the CCMC connection will take place soon.   Once capacity is available, the Kids First construction matter can finally be settled.

 

The six residential property owners in both the LSWSS and RRE Phase 1, who have not connected their properties to the sewer system, have received the required notice from the CFT Board of Supervisors.  The notice was dated September 9, 2003 and the property owners have 60 days to connect from that date.  It was explained by Chairman Murray that at the end of the 60 days, the Sewer Authority can, as agent for the Township, begin the process of connecting the properties.  The property owners will then be billed for the cost of the work and, if the bill is not paid, a municipal lien will be placed on the properties. 

 

Mrs. Taylor reported :

 

1.                   The 60 day notice to connect letters were prepared and mailed on September 9, 2003.  The letters were sent to those property owners who are required to connect their property to the sewer system and have not done so. 

 

 

1.                   Chadds Ford Township has transferred $39,871.35 from the DVRFA Loan to the Township’s General Fund.  This transfer should have been made in 2002 as reimbursement for Loan Disbursement Requests No. 36 and 37 paid to the Sewer Authority.  When the transfer is confirmed, Mrs. Taylor will transfer the remainder in the Dolphin and Bradbury investment account to the CFTSA PLGIT tapping fee account.

 

2.                   Two invoices for Act 537 revision work are being presented to be reviewed and, if approved, initialed and passed on to CFT for payment.

 

3.                   User fee invoices for the 4th Quarter 2003 have been sent out.

 

Mrs. Taylor reminded the Authority members that it is important that the letter be sent to American Water Services informing them that the Sewer Authority may not be renewing their contract for Operation and Maintenance for the Ridings Plant.  They must have this letter in hand before September 30, 2003. 

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:     

 

            RIDINGS OPERATING ACCOUNT - Invoices totaling $4,384.05 presented for payment from the Ridings Operating Account were discussed.  Mr. Paul said he continues to be concerned about the budget overrun for electric costs.  Following the discussion, the bills to be paid from the Ridings Operating Account were unanimously approved for payment as presented on a motion duly made and seconded (Paul / Spoehr). 

 

            GENERAL FUND - Invoices totaling $13,471.85  were presented for payment from the General Fund.  Chairman Murray asked if the invoice from Kelly Engineers was just for PA-1-Call.  It was also noted that a portion of the Township subsidy of $1,500 per month covers the PA-1-Call expenses. 

 

The status of the Enzo’s South and Tremonte escrow accounts was discussed.  Ms. Forndran has sent a memo to Mrs. Taylor suggesting that these escrow accounts be increased by $2,500 each.    Ms. Forndran noted that a portion of the engineering expenses for Tremonte is for design work.  She also explained that if Tremonte Builders do not proceed with their development plans, the Sewer Authority will still need the design for the RRE Phase 2 project.

 

Mr. Mezzanotte will be asked to prepare a revised Developers’ Agreement Form.  Model agreements have been provided by Kelly Engineers. 

 

A motion was then made and seconded (Linsen/Del Rossi) to approve payment of the invoices to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $13,471.85.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

The reimbursement for engineering costs due from St. Cornelius Church was discussed.  The amount due is $4,416.86 and has remained unpaid for several months.  There is no indication when payment will be made. 


Requests for compensation for easements were discussed.  It was agreed that the Sewer Authority is not in favor of granting compensation for easements.

 

It has been suggested that the CFTSA Fee Schedule be revised to include the 1% late fee for all overdue accounts.  Currently the only accounts the late fee covers are users’ fees.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

Chairman Murray offered suggestions for things to be considered by the Sewer Authority.

 

 

1.                   Holding tanks in the township have not been inspected by the Sewer Authority on a regular basis and Chairman Murray encourages the Sewer Authority to include them when the regular annual inspection of wastewater plants are done.  The owners of the holding tanks would be responsible for the inspection costs. 

 

2.                   Chairman Murray noted that there are at least five or six properties in the Ridings with septic tanks connected to the Ridings Sewage System.  He said this is in direct violation of Chadds Ford Township Ordinance No. 84, Article VI, Section 1, Subsection c.  This discovery was made in response to a homeowner’s call regarding a sewage backup in their basement.  The homeowners were not aware they have a septic tank connected to the sewer line. 

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

No report. 

 

Chairman Murray noted the items to be covered under the Solicitor’s Report at next month’s meeting are:

 

 

1.                   CCMC, Laskas and Rullo connection status.

 

2.                   Status of potential property liens

 

3.                   Right to Know Act

 

4.                   Developer’s Agreement

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

 

 

 

Ms. Forndran distributed copies of her written report.  The report was reviewed.

 

•                      RRE-Phase 1

 

<                                          Meeting scheduled with Penn DOT for September 18, 2003 to discuss possible reimbursement for Penn DOT required change orders.


 

 

 

2.         I & I

 

<                                          Investigated house connection into Eckman Pump Station; no excessive flow found.  The Smithbridge Pump Station will be investigated next.

<                                          Next quarterly report to DEP for the Corrective Action Plan is due by October 15, 3003.

                         

3.         Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant

<                                          continue recording of influent data

<                                          proposal for filamentous growth control modification reviewed and found appropriate.

 

 

4.                   Developers Reviews 


 

<                 Enzo’s - reviewed revised plans of 8/20/03; submitted review memo to Authority and discussed findings and recommendations with Township engineer for 09/08/03 BOS meeting for land development plan approval.

<                                          Tremonte Subdivision - awaiting revised plans submission incorporating Authority proposed design modifications

           


 

5.                   Planning Module for Minor Act 537 Update Revision


 

<                                          Information for the proposed plan was presented at a public meeting on 09/04/03

<                                          Several public comment letters were received and input is being provided to the Township Engineer to be included in the response letters.  The letters and responses will be included in plan documents.

           


 

6.                   Springhill Farms Act 537 Work

 

<                                          DEP submittal by Township due by 11/11/03.

<                                             

Chairman Murray reviewed the effect the recent storm had on the Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant.   Flows through the plant were almost double the average daily throughput.  There is obviously still a serious I and I problem that needs to be addressed.

 

Mrs. D’Elia asked if the houses in Ridings I that have septic tanks connected to the Ridings Sewer System originally had on-site systems.  It was agreed that they did, but the tanks should have been disconnected at the time the homes were connected to the Ridings Sewer System.   Some of the current homeowners may not know they have septic tanks and do not have them cleaned regularly.   It was agreed that the septic tanks serve no purpose and they should be disconnected as the Ordinance requires. 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

•                      OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR RWWT PLANT -

Mr. Paul and Mr. Del Rossi are working on preparing the items to be included in the Request for Proposal for Operation and Maintenance of the Ridings Plant for 2004.  Discussion followed, after which it was decided that Chairman Murray would draft the letter to American Water Services advising them that the contract for O & M would not be renewed for 2004.  Ms. Forndran has made some suggestions for inclusion in the Request for Proposal.  She also suggested that Sewer Authority members might want to visit facilities currently being maintained by contractors being considered.  Mr. Paul and Mr. Del Rossi will continue to work on preparing the Request for Proposal and contacting contractors.

             

•                      RRE - PHASE II -

Bill Black of 231 Heyburn Road told the members, shortly after moving into his house a few months ago,  he heard a rumor that Phase II of the RRE was to include a sewer line down Heyburn Road.  He now sees that it is coming through his yard and he is not in favor of that.  Ms. Forndran responded that the plan shows a proposed location for the lines for submittal to DEP for authorization to proceed.  She said the exact location of the sewer line has not been determined at this stage of the design.  At this point a low pressure system with 2" sewer lines is what is being considered.  Ms. Forndran explained some of the advantages of the low pressure system.   Further discussion followed. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary