CHADDS FORD TOWNSHIP SEWER AUTHORITY

                                                                     MINUTES

 

                                                                 October 19, 2004

 

            The 182nd    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, Secretary, and Anthony J. Cutrona, Treasurer. 

            Absent: Vincent Del Rossi, Vice Chairman, and Paul Linsen. 

           

            Also in attendance were John J. Mezzanotte, Jr., Esquire, Thomas R. Smith, PE, Garry Paul, 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:

            None

                       

PUBLIC COMMENT:

            None

 

MINUTES:

            There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of the September 21, 2004 Chadds Ford Township Sewer Authority meeting were unanimously approved on a motion duly made and seconded (Cutrona/Spoehr).

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

            Mrs. Taylor gave account balances as follows:

           

            General Fund Account

                       

                        Beginning Balance                                                                      $1,000.00                  

                        Receipts                                                                                          30,226.13

                        Balance                                                                                    $31,226.13

 

            Operating Account - PLGIT

                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $24,824.36

                        Transfer from Wachovia General Fund                                      30,226.13

                        VOID check No. 630 to Verizon-lost in mail                            100.56            

                        Dividends                                                                                        37.53      

                        Balance                                                                                    $55,188.58

 

 

            Tapping Fee Account - PLGIT/Plus Account -

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                        Beginning Balance                                                                     $351,129.46

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

                 Dividends                                                                     1,193.46                   Balance                                                                                         $352,322.92

 

Mrs. Taylor reported:

1.         2003 Audit - Mr. Cutrona will discuss the status of the audit

 

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

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:      

            Invoices totaling $14,514.93 were presented for payment.  These invoices include $6,679.13 for Ridings Plant operating expenses and $7,835.80 for administrative and professional services.   After review, the bill list was unanimously approved for payment as presented on a motion made and seconded (Cutrona/Spoehr).

 

            Chairman Murray asked Mr. Mezzanotte if the Authority can charge late fees to all outstanding invoices or just user fees.  Mr. Mezzanotte said he would look into this.

 

2003 AUDIT

            Mr. Cutrona distributed draft copies of the 2003 Audit Report which the Auditors have provided.  Questions regarding the long term debt remain.  Mr. Cutrona suggested a meeting be arranged with representatives of the Board of Supervisors and the Sewer Authority to clarify the terms relating to monies forwarded to the Sewer Authority from the township.   Mr. Paul agreed  and recommended the meeting be held in approximately six months due to the uncertainty of several financial matters in the township at this time.  The Sewer Authority members in attendance agreed that this subject should be revisited in six months.

 

            Mrs. Taylor noted the balance due on one of the documented loans is $5,833 and asked if she could include that amount in the invoices to be paid during November or December.  After discussion and at Mr. Cutrona’s recommendation, it was agreed that this should wait until closer to the December meeting to determine if funds are available to make the payment this year or wait until 2005. 

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

            At Chairman Murray’s request, Mrs. Taylor reviewed the Accounts Receivables.

 

<                      Delinquent Account - The members agreed that Mr. Mezzanotte should begin the process of placing a lien, for user fees due but not paid, on a property located on Woodland Drive.  The property owner has not responded to previous attempts to collect the money due.         

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<                      User Fees - Other than the previously reported delinquent account, user fees are generally current.

 

<                      Tapping Fees - There are two tapping fees from the LSWSS Extension still outstanding.  A lien has been placed on the residential property and if the remaining non-residential tapping fee is not paid within the next few weeks, a lien will be placed on that property also. 

                       

These properties are not connected to the public sewer as of this date.  Mr. Kelly recommended that the Authority request the township to enforce the Ordinance requiring that properties connect when notified.  Chairman Murray will contact Mr. Jensen as soon as possible to begin the process of getting these properties connected.  The property owners will be charged with all costs involved.

           

<                      Other Accounts -

1.                                             108 Marshall Road - A grinder pump has been ordered for this property.  The property owner will pay for the pump when it is picked up.  All costs for installation and maintenance of the pump will be the property owner’s responsibility.

2.                                             Tremonte - Reimbursement for engineering costs is still outstanding.

3.                                             Duerr - Cost of providing 1 set of RRE Phase 2 plans as requested has not been paid.

4.                                             AWWTP Inspection fees - There are three of five accounts not paid.  Mrs. Taylor will send reminder letters to those who still owe for the inspection.

           

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

Mr. Mezzanotte reported on:

1.         10 Ridings Way - A call has been received regarding an outstanding balance on this account.  The new owner of the property agreed to pay the amount due.

 

2.         Tremonte Developer’s Agreement - Mr. Mezzanotte has prepared a draft for Mr. Smith to review.  At Mr. Mezzanotte’s suggestion, it was agreed that an informal workshop meeting should be arranged with Mr. Tremonte to discuss construction timing.  Mr. Smith will contact Mr. Tremonte to arrange the meeting.

 

3.                     Kids First - A revised agreement has been prepared by Mr. Mezzanotte.   It was agreed that the tapping fee would be deducted from the amount the Authority owes Kids First for construction of the sewer line through the easement on their property. 

 

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4.                     Lawrie Property - A letter has been received confirming the escrow agreement discussed at last month’s meeting is in place.  This agreement allows the sewage capacity for the property to transfer with ownership of the land. 

 

            Mrs. Taylor said she believes the Rappucci properties have been sold, but she has not received an Assignment of Capacity Agreement for either property. 

 

OTHER MATTERS:

            John Fenn, PE, of Vandemark and Lynch, representing William Pace, said they are seeking information regarding the availability of public sewer service for two properties Mr. Pace owns on the west side of Route 202, north of Kids First.  He noted there is a manhole on Hillman Drive that could service these properties by a gravity line.   A second alternative would be to use a grinder pump system to a manhole currently on Summit Drive.  Mr. Kelly said, if the low pressure system is used, there are other properties in the area that should be connected.   He also said the Authority would have to know what use Mr. Pace plans for his properties to determine how many edus would be required.  A lengthy discussion followed regarding the history of privately owned sewage treatment plants. 

 

ENGINEERS REPORT:

            Mr. Smith reviewed his written report.  

 

1.         RRE Phase 2 - Mr. Veneziale, from DEP, called and said there was nothing new to report on the approval of the Construction Permit Application in light of the legal action between Raven Crest Citizens and the Township regarding the Act 537 approval.  Mr. Veneziale also said the Authority must determine which alternate plan they want DEP to review.  The advantages and disadvantages for each alternate were discussed.  Following the discussion, John Spoehr made a motion to submit the low pressure system plan for DEP review.  The motion was seconded by James Murray and passed by a unanimous vote.

                       

Mr. Smith will contact DEP to inform them that the low pressure alternate has been selected by the Authority and the Permit Application review should continue.  If a response is not received within a reasonable length of time, Mr. Smith will contact Mr. Mezzanotte.  Mr. Mezzanotte will consult with Mr. Donaghue to determine what action should be taken.  It is not known whether or not a supercedeas has been filed.

 

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.

 

2.         Toll Brothers - A meeting was held on October 5, 2004 with Toll Brothers’ representatives, their engineers and Kelly engineers, to discuss the stream

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2.discharge requirements and treatment plant process needs associated with the Turners Mill Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The exact treatment process, equipment and tankage necessary will be designed by Toll Brothers, and reviewed an approved by SSM.

 

Mr. Smith explained that there is to be no duplication of work between SSM and Kelly Engineers on this project.  The part relating to the treatment plant and treatment plant discharge is being addressed by Mr. Smith and Mr. Kelly is dealing with the part pertaining to the Act 537 .   

 

3.         Chadds Ford Village - It is understood that Toll Brothers will run the force main down to the Village, but within the Village itself the low pressure system design becomes the purview of the Authority.

 

Mr. Smith asked if the aerial plan of the Chadds Ford Village, done some time ago, was available.  Mr. Murray will check to see if he can locate a copy of the plan.  If the plan can not be located, another aerial survey will need to be done.

 

3.         Ridings Wastewater Treatment Plant - Mr. Smith and Chairman Murray toured the plant and associated collection sewers on October 7, 2004 to inspect the situation following the recent flooding.  As happened in 2003, the receiving stream flow backed up into the metering chamber, and overtopped the measuring weir.  Mr. Smith asked the Authority to approve an investigation of the treatment plant, to determine ways to eliminate this problem. 

 

5.         Action Items -

 

<                                  Continue to assist in investigations into the quantity and quality of wastewater entering Ridings WWTP.  Provide specifications for manhole and sewer maintenance and improvements.

 

<                                  Investigate Ridings Plant effluent meter chamber, to determine the feasibility of corrections needed to eliminate stream flow backup into the plant. 

                                   

A Memorandum of Understanding was prepared by Mr. Smith covering the scope of work to be done.  The cost is estimated to be $8,000.  Due to budget constraints, the Authority asked Mr. Smith to hold this in abeyance.

 

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

 

<                                  Work with solicitor to install a laterals at two properties in the LSWSS area as authorized and required by ordinance.

 

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<                                  Review the St. Cornelius agreement, to notify them of water meter calibration requirements for measuring flows for billing purposes.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:   

            The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sabina J. Taylor, Secretary