The regular meeting of the Middle Smithfield Township Municipal Authority was called to order on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 6:00 pm at the Schoonover Municipal Building. Perry M. Henley presiding.

 

Members present: Perry M. Henley, Jack O’Rourke, Fred May, Mickey Roth and Oscar Woerlein. Also present wee Richard Deetz, Fred Courtright, Dave Scholtz, Robyn Pugh Michele Clewell, several township residents and interested parties.

 

Fred May made a motion to approve the April 3, 2008 minutes. Jack O’Rourke second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Jack O’Rourke made a motion to approve the listed payables. Oscar Woerlein second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Allstate Septic

      450.00

 

        450.00

3962

FX Bronwe, Inc

   4,974.09

   20,653.11

   25,627.20

3963 & 3964

Met Ed

      392.63

     7,999.43

     8,392.06

3965

Middle Smithfield Twp

      981.63

     4,231.08

     5,212.71

3966

Prosser Laboratories, Inc

   2,611.50

   15,989.36

   18,600.86

3967

TOPS Software

        28.04

         56.91

          84.95

3968

Verizon

 

         66.28

          66.28

3969

Waste Management

 

     2,215.24

     2,215.24

3970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Bills

   9,437.89

   51,211.41

   60,649.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solicitors Report

Richard Deetz stated that the Assignment and Assumptions for US Home to HDD Land, LLC and release of the Lennar Corporation letter of credit should remain on the agenda as he is still working on them.

 

Richard Deetz stated that the Connection Rights ordinance public hearing and adoption is scheduled for May 8, 2008 at 6:00 pm. Attorney Deetz stated that he would attend the meeting and would recommend that a representative from the Authority board be present as well.

 

Attorney Deetz stated that he wrote to Attorney Farreri regarding Jeff Snyder Entities of Meadow Lake Plaza as discussed at the April 3, 2008 meeting. Mr. Deetz is still awaiting a reply from Attorney Farreri. This item is to remain on the agenda.

 

Attorney Deetz requested an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss litigation matters regarding Maula vs. MSTMA, potential litigation with SWERP and potential land acquisition.  

 

 

Engineers Report

Fred Courtright provided a summary of the DMR’s dated April 16, 2008. There were no violations.

 

Mr. Courtright stated that PA DEP will meet with the Municipal Authority and DRBC regarding the wastewater treatment plant and the 537 Plan on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the PA DEP Swiftwater office.

 

Jack O’Rourke stated that the Authority should be prepared to have the cost data prior to meeting with PA DEP. After further discussion Oscar Woerlein made a motion for Fred Courtright, Robyn Pugh and Michele Clewell to gather the cast data as to what costs has been incurred so far and to estimate what the new costs will be over and above what it would have been for the plant in Bushkill. Mickey Roth second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Courtright provided a conceptual cost to build a sewage treatment plant to discharge to Pond Creek of $9 million to $10 million dollars for a 250,000 gpd and $15 million dollars for a 500,000 gpd facility. Mr. Courtright stated that these figures do not include land acquisition and are approximate figures for planning purposes.

 

Mickey Roth questestioned Fred Courtright regarding the letter from DRBC stating that Pond Creek is at the same discharge quality as the Bushkill and how then would it be possible to build a sewage treatment plant to discharge into Pond Creek. Mr. Courtright stated that he would investigate Mr. Roth’s concerns and report his findings.

 

Mr. Courtright reminded the Authority that the sewer line extension is on hold.

 

Fred Courtright stated that the Derstine Company has completed rehab of pump stations 1, 2 & 6 and that a final payment application request has been received. Mr. Courtright also stated that Derstine Company has not submitted the as built plans and the operator manuals but he feels confident that once this is submitted he would be able to recommend to the Authority that final payment can be made.

 

Mr. Courtright stated that The McElwee Group has completed the concrete pour for the slab for the main tanks, continue to submit shop drawings and expects the precast walls within the next couple of weeks.

 

There was further discussion regarding the next payment to The McElwee Group for the Winona Lakes STP expansion. After further discussion Mickey Roth made a motion authorizing a $140,000 payment to The McElwee Group prior to the next meeting with the condition that the Authority Engineer approves the paperwork. Oscar Woerlein second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

There was lengthy discussion regarding the installation of the CVS sidewalks next to pump station #6 and what was on the approved plan. Fred Courtright stated that he would contact the developer of the CVS to further discuss the matter.

 

Doug Olmstead Township Engineer suggested that installing a two foot riser to elevate the pump station would help solve some of the safety concerns of Dave Scholtz. After further discussion Perry M. Henley requested Fred Courtright to provide a rough cost estimate to raise the pump station in its entirety.

 

Mr. Olmstead asked if the Authority has seen the ESSA proposed plan. Mr. Courtright stated that the Authority has not seen the plan.

 

Sewage Plant Operators Report

Dave Scholtz reviewed his monthly report and noted that all visitors to the sewage treatment plant must sign in at the office and state the reason for their visit. Everyone must wear a hard hat and goggles that will be provided at the time of signing in at the office. Visitors will be escorted at all times. There was discussion regarding a buzzer system at the front gate so that the entrance into the plant is secure at all times. Mr. Scholtz stated that he will investigate the cost and report his findings.

 

Mr. Scholtz stated that currently, the Authority’s cost for sludge pressing is sufficient.

 

Dave Scholtz stated that a vent pipe has been installed at pump station #6 and the large blower unit has been installed at pump station #4.

 

Mr. Scholtz stated that PA DEP investigated the sewage treatment plant and pumping stations as they were responding to an odor complaint. Mr. Scholtz reported that PA DEP stated that pump stations #4 and #6 had a slight odor. Mr. Scholtz believed that the odor was from an odor blocking agent. Mr. Scholtz stated that he would contact DEP for a field report of the April 15, 2008 complaint.

 

Mr. Scholtz reviewed the DMR for Winona Lakes. There were no violations.

 

Mr. Scholtz report that a blocked sewer line complaint was received from the owner of Lot 49, Clifton Court. After further investigation it was determined that the main line was open. The homeowner was instructed to contact someone to clean their lateral. The homeowner contacted Roto Rooter and their line was jet cleaned but remained blocked. It was determined that the hot tap needed to be inspected. The township was contacted to excavate the hot tap. A severed compression of the main line next to the manhole was found. It appeared there was a blockage in the hot tap. Mr. Scholtz replaced 10 feet of sewer main and installed a Tee connection the main line. A curb stop valve was installed.

The full report is on file in the Authority office.

 

Richard Deetz questioned at what point does the Authority do the work and at what point does the property owner do it. Mr. Deetz stated that the Authority should set a policy on blocked sewer lines. Dave Scholtz stated that he will provide all the costs incurred for fixing the blocked sewer line at lot 49, Clifton Court and he and the Engineer will investigate standards for reimbursements for the next meeting.

 

Accountants Report

Robyn Pugh stated that the Board of Supervisors completed Michele Clewell’s yearly employee review and increased her salary. Ms. Pugh stated that she did review the calculations and agrees with the numbers. Jack O’Rourke made a motion to approve Michele Clewell’s wages. Oscar Woerlein second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Ms. Pugh presented information received from Tom Beckett regarding potential expansion for Pond Creek. It was estimated that a 300,000 gpd expansion at Pond Creek would cost $25 million dollars. The connection fee would be $5,000, operation and maintenance charges would be $880.

 

Robyn Pugh stated that even with the original borrowing for Winona Lakes expansion and the DEP Growing Greener Grant the Authority still needs additional money. Richard Deetz stated that Attorney George Aman drafted a Resolution for the Authority to borrow its own money from the Pligit account and reimburse it’s self when the new money comes in. Robyn Pugh stated that the Authority should borrow $1.4 million to cover the cost to expand the Winona Lakes STP expansion. This item is to remain on the agenda.

 

Old Business

Fred Courtright presented for a Sewer Connections Inspector job description for the Authority to review. This item is to remain on the agenda.

 

The topic of repair and construction policy is currently being discussed. This item is to remain on the agenda.

 

The topic of ownership of private lines is to remain on the agenda.

 

Jack O’Rourke made a motion to go into executive session at 7:55 pm to discuss litigation. Oscar second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Jack O’Rourke made a motion to reconvene the meeting at 8:50 pm. Mickey Roth second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Fred May requested Robyn Pugh to provide a spreadsheet with all the Authority obligations and present at the next meeting.

 

There being no further business the meeting adjourned in regular order at 8:55 pm

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Michele Clewell, Recording Secretary

 

 

Perry M. Henley _____________________

Jack O’Rourke _______________________

 

Fred May ___________________________

 

Mickey Roth ________________________

 

Oscar Woerlein ______________________