The regular meeting of the Middle Smithfield Township
Municipal Authority was called to order on Wednesday, February 20, 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 were
Richard Deetz, Fred Courtright, Dave Scholtz, Michele
Clewell and several interested parties.
Mickey Roth
made a motion to approve the February 7, 2008 minutes. Fred May second the motion.
The motion carried 5-0.
Mickey Roth
made a motion to approve the listed payables and directed
Dave Scholtz to contact Met Ed regarding the extreme increase in the sewage
treatment plant monthly bill. Fred May second the motion. The motion carried
5-0.
|
|
Winona
|
MSTMA
|
Total
|
Check No.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allstate
Septic
|
225.00
|
|
225.00
|
3916
|
|
Coyne
Chemical
|
|
2,245.00
|
2,245.00
|
3917
|
|
Derstine
Co. LLC
|
|
85,000.00
|
85,000.00
|
3918
|
|
FX
Browne, Inc
|
6,080.28
|
15,376.43
|
21,456.71
|
3919
|
|
Met Ed
|
429.02
|
10,545.71
|
10,974.73
|
3920 & 3921
|
|
Prosser
Labs
|
355.00
|
|
355.00
|
3922
|
|
Strand Pool Supply
|
497.25
|
286.75
|
784.00
|
3923
|
|
Swerp
Inc.
|
|
58,705.68
|
58,705.68
|
3924
|
|
Verizon
|
|
65.53
|
65.53
|
3925
|
|
Waste
Management
|
|
2,553.92
|
2,553.92
|
3926
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Checks
|
7,586.55
|
174,779.02
|
182,365.57
|
|
Solicitors Report
Mr. Mike Berardi of Summer Glen Partners LLC stated that he
purchased 28 lots in the Hillside Tract of The Estates at Great Bear from
Lennar Corp. Richard Deetz stated that since Mr.
Berardi is under the previous agreement he would be required to submit a signed
Sewage Capacity Reservation Agreement, post a letter of credit, pay the $220.00
reservation fee for each lot owned and submit a list of the lot numbers for the
file. Mr. Deetz explained that once everything is received the 28 lots would be
protected until 2013. Mr. Berardi presented the payment for the 2008
reservations. Richard Deetz recommended this
item be tabled until the next meeting. No action was required.
Mr. Deetz stated that Attorney Kolabro of Lennar Corp. has
requested action be tabled regarding the Lennar Corps letter of credit as they
did not receive his letter dated January 23, 2008. After further discussion Richard
Deetz stated that he will write to Attorney Kolabro of Lennar
Corp regarding the correspondences between Lennar Corp. and Mike Berardi of
Summer Glen Partners LLC and the Authority is requesting a representative
attend the March 6, 2008
meeting. Richard Deetz stated that the request
to release the Lennar letter of credit should be tabled until the next meeting.
No action was required.
Mr. Deetz stated that Attorney Joel Wiener of Omega Homes is
ready to enter into a new Sewage Capacity Reservation Agreement, post a new
letter of credit and pay the 2008 reservation fee. Attorney Deetz also stated
that he will correspond with Attorney Wiener and report back to the Authority
at their next regular meeting. No action was required.
Attorney Deetz stated that the Maula vs. MSTMA will most
likely be heard in Harrisburg
before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
sometime in September 2008.
Mr. Deetz reported that the Bushkill Group has asked if the
Authority would like someone from their company to also attend the DRBC meeting
February 27, 2008 in Trenton
New Jersey. After further discussion
Richard Deetz stated that he would contact the Bushkill Group requesting a
letter addressed to the DRBC stating their intention on future building and
explaining that they own 700,000 gpd capacity of the
treatment plant and of that 300,000 gpd is allotted to Big Ridge
Development.
Mr. Deetz reported that he attended a work session with the
Board of Supervisors to discuss the Connection Fees Ordinance and reported that
the Supervisors are reviewing the draft.
Engineers Report
Fred Courtright reported
that he will have the future needs assessment and sewer line sizing for the
next regular meeting.
The sewage treatment plant expansion meeting with DRBC will
be held on Wednesday, February 27,
2008 at 1:30 pm in Trenton
New Jersey, to be attended by Perry M.
Henley, Jack O’Rourke, Mickey Roth, Oscar
Woerlein, Fred Courtright and Michele
Clewell. There was general discussion regarding
transportation to and from New Jersey.
Mickey Roth made
a motion authorizing Fred Courtright to rent a
van to attend the DRBC meeting. Oscar Woerlein second the motion. The motion
carried 5-0.
Fred Courtright reported
that the Swerp Inc. contract is complete.
Mr. Courtright reported that he has the by pass pump
specifications completed.
Fred Courtright stated that
he has received the Winona Lakes STP shop drawings for the pre cast work from
Dutchland, Inc. The drawings are being reviewed in the Lansdale
office of F.X. Browne, Inc. Mr. Courtright stated that Dutchland Inc. would like
to begin the pre cast work in March.
Sewage Plant
Operators Report
Dave Scholtz reported that Hendershot Door Systems installed
a garage door at the Route 209 STP.
Mr. Scholtz reported that a proposal from Rosina Getting of
Big Ridge Development was received regarding internal sewer line flushing at
Big Ridge Development. The Authority stated that Michele
Clewell write a letter to Rosina Getting of Big Ridge
Development stating that the Authority has no objection to the proposed work
and the Authority would like to know when the work will begin and end, and that
Mr. Scholtz needs to have a representative on site when the work is being
conducted.
There was general discussion regarding pump station odor. Mickey
Roth suggested that Dave Scholtz look into
stacks for pump station #6.
Dave Scholtz discussed the higher flow rates at the Route
209 STP during the holidays and summer months.
Jack O’Rourke had a prior commitment and had to leave the
meeting.
Accountant Report
Michele Clewell reported that
a fax from Robyn Pugh regarding
the wages and benefits cost for the Authority’s proportionate share of her
wages was received today. Ms. Pugh indicated in her fax that she had reviewed
the figures and everything was in order. Fred May questioned if the Authority
would be charged at a higher rate for any township employee that would work for
them. Michele Clewell stated that she would
ask the Board of Supervisors and report at the next meeting. It was the
consensus to accept the Accountants review and to continue utilizing the
township staff to work on behalf of the Municipal Authority. Oscar Woerlein
made a motion to approve the accountant calculations of the wages and benefit
figures for Michele Clewell. Mickey
Roth second the motion. The motion carried
5-0.
There was general discussion regarding the present value for
future connection at Big Ridge Development. Richard Deetz stated
that he would contact Robyn Pugh
for more information and requested Michele
Clewell to provide the number of connections for each year
past.
Old Business
Michele Clewell reported
that an inspection of a laundry mat located at the Meadow
Lake Plaza
shows that there are 26 washing machines. A letter was sent on February 8, 2008 to Mr. Jeff Snyder
Entities requiring a tapping payment of $18,400.00 for the washing machines.
After further discussion Michele Clewell was
instructed to send a certified letter to Mr. Snyder requesting him to contact
the Authority office.
Fred May made a motion to go into executive session to discuss
personnel matters at 8:00 pm. Mickey Roth
second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Mickey Roth
made a motion to go reconvene the meeting at 8:15 pm. Fred
May second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Richard Deetz noted that a
report had been received of sewage being pumped into an Authority manhole
behind Muller’s Diner. The engineer stated that he had reviewed the situation,
and found that nothing improper had taken place, and that there was no cause
for concern. The members of the Authority expressed their approval of the
manner in which the report was handled.
Michele Clewell reported
that a resident has requested billing information regarding five other central
sewage customers. Richard Deetz stated that
this item should be tabled for further review.
Richard Deetz asked the
Authority if they wished to be informed every time an administrative adjustment
was required. It was the consensus of the board that Richard
Deetz and Michele Clewell
can make administrative adjustment without bringing to the Authority.
The Act 537 reimbursement was discussed. Michele
Clewell reported that PA DEP has accepted the amount given
for costs incurred with the Act 537 and Act 537 Special Study Area dating back
to 1997. The Authority has requested reimbursement in the amount of
$139,906.09. The Authority stated that Robyn
Pugh should be contacted to determine the
amount the township paid for with regard to the Winona Lakes STP prior to the
Municipal Authority taking it over in 2001.
There being no further business the meting adjourned in
regular order at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Michele Clewell, Recording
Secretary
MSTMA
02/20/08
Perry M. Henley ___________________________
Jack O’Rourke ____________________________
Fred May ________________________________
Mickey Roth
_____________________________
Oscar Woerlein ___________________________