The regular meeting of the Middle Smithfield Township Municipal Authority was called to order on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 6:00 pm 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, Dr. F. X. Browne, Dave Scholtz, Robyn Pugh, Scott Miller, John Riley, Michele Clewell and several interested parties.

 

Fred May made a motion to approve the May 1, 2008 minutes. Oscar Woerlein seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

 

  Winona 

  MSTMA 

 Total

 Check No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

212 Software

           28.04

         56.91

          84.95

3980

Allstate Septic

         675.00

 

        675.00

3981

AT & T

 

         97.94

          97.94

3982

Richard Deetz

      5,204.75

   17,342.00

   22,546.75

3983

FX Browne, Inc

      5,137.64

   11,576.88

   16,714.52

3984

MetEd

         386.78

     6,608.66

     6,995.44

3985 & 3986

Middle Smithfield Township

         912.89

     2,570.86

     3,483.75

3987

Prosser Laboratories

      2,783.00

   18,182.62

   20,965.62

3988

Strand Pool Supply

      2,216.50

       711.50

     2,928.00

3989

Verizon

 

         65.90

          65.90

3990

Waste Management

 

       972.83

        972.83

3991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Bills

     17,344.60

   58,186.10

   75,530.70

 

 

 

There was discussion regarding the bill for lot 49 in Winona Lakes. Dave Scholtz stated that his bill reflects additional expenses for repair work completed at lot 49 Winona Lakes. Fred May requested that Mr. Scholtz provide a breakdown of his bill for the repair work completed at lot 49. Fred May made a motion to approve the listed payables. Mickey Roth second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Jack O’Rourke made a motion to go into executive session at 6:10 pm to discuss personnel matters. Oscar Woerlein second the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Jack O’Rourke made a motion to reconvene the meeting at 7:30 pm. Fred May second the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Mickey Roth made a motion to rescind his May 1, 2008 motion to disengage Riley & Company and to rescind the endorsement engagement of Robyn Pugh accounting services. Jack O’Rourke second the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Perry M. Henley asked Ms. Pugh that if she had any paperwork pertaining to the Municipal Authority to please forward it to Riley & Company.

 

Jack O’Rourke excused himself from the remainder of the meeting.

 

Engineers Report

Dr. F.X. Browne provided the board with a written synopsis of the meeting in Swiftwater, with PA DEP and DRBC. Dr. Browne stated that DEP will review Pond Creek effluent limits provided almost three years ago, and provide the Authority with “Water Quality Based” effluent criteria based on allowing some minor degradation of stream quality. Dr. Browne also stated that there maybe a possibility to re-classify Pond Creek to a lower protection category. Perry M. Henley stated that we may want to do our own modeling testing above the Manawalamink STP. Dr. Browne stated that he will contact PA DEP for the effluent numbers and then begin modeling.

 

Dr. Browne discussed the possibility of Pocono Palace being sold and how would that affect the current EDU numbers. Dr. Browne asked if the resort is required to buy additional EDU’s as the original figures were based on 262.5 gpd not the 200 gpd

With the passing of Resolution 2-05-1. Perry M. Henley stated that the Authority sold them EDU’s not gallonage. Mr. Henley stated that the current resolution decreasing the gpd from 262.5 down to 200 gpd needs to be reviewed. Mr. Deetz stated that Dr. Browne did say he represents Pocono Palace and therefore can not work for both the Authority and Pocono Palace. There was general discussion of contacting an outside Engineering firm to represent the Authority regarding this matter. No action was taken.

 

Solicitors Report

Mr. Deetz stated that the Assignment and Assumption for US Home to HDD Land, LLC and the Lennar Corporation letter of credit release request should remain on the agenda.

 

Mr. Deetz stated that Ordinance 160, Sale of Connection Rights went before the Board of Supervisors on May 8, 208. The action on the ordinance was tabled for any possible action until public comments can be analyzed and addressed.

 

Mr. Deetz stated that Attorney Wolfe has prepared the Sanitary Sewer System Development Agreement for Water Gap Preserve and a draft has been mailed to Attorney Deetz for review. This item is to remain on the agenda.

 

Mr. Deetz stated that per the action of the Authority at the May 1, 2008 meeting, a Notice of Intent to Cut off Sewer Service as of May 23, 2008 at unit 106 Meadow Lake Plaza as charges have not been paid in full was hand delivered, posted on the front door and mailed by Wayne Rohner, Zoning Officer. Richard Deetz asked if anyone is present for Unit 106 for the record. No one responded. Mr. Deetz also stated that a courtesy copy of the notice was sent to Attorney Ferrari. After further discussion Oscar Woerlein made a motion authorizing and directing the Engineer and Solicitor to coordinate the enforcement of the Notice of Intent against JA Snyder Entities Inc and tenants/occupants of Meadow Lake Plaza unit 106 laundromat.

 

Attorney Deetz stated that he sent a letter to FNCB regarding a proposed easement and right of way for access to the sanitary sewer pumping station. There was discussion of a temporary means of access for the Authority to its pumping station, and a permanent means of access across the aforesaid undeveloped lot. Mr. Deetz stated that he will report back to the Authority after speaking with Attorney Wolfe.

 

Mr. Deetz stated that he has nothing new to report on the SWERP payment.

 

Mr. Deetz stated that Maula vs. MSTMA will probably be scheduled in September in Harrisburg. There was discussion regarding the moratorium being lifted with in the central sewer area of Winona Lakes. Mr. Deetz stated that he will draft an ordinance and present it to the Authority at the next regular meeting. This item is to remain on the agenda.

 

Mr. Deetz stated that the Bushkill Group is questioning the percent of 2007 flow allocations determined on the annual report. Mr. Courtright stated that he will research the flow information and report back.

 

Engineers Report

Mr. Courtright provided his monthly DMR report and no violations occurred.

 

Mr. Courtright stated that The McElwee Group, general contractor for the Winona Lakes STP expansion sent two letters dated May 8, 2008 and May 13, 2008 updating the Authority of the work at the STP.

 

Mr. Courtright reported that a letter was sent out to three large tract parcel owners within the township requesting a meeting with them for possible spray or drip irrigation. Ms. Kate Rosset of White Herron Lake contacted Michele Clewell and indicated that the White Herron Lakes Board of Directors would be willing to meet with the Authority to discuss the proposal of spray or drip irrigation. Perry Henley stated that he is not available on June 2, 2008; however June 3, 23 or 24 are open. Michele Clewell stated that she will schedule the meeting and confirm with the Authority members at the next meeting.

 

There was discussion of whether or not to cancel the June 5, 2008 meeting. The members agreed to hold the meeting as scheduled.

 

Mr. Courtright stated that a meeting was held at the new CVS site with himself, R. Douglas Olmstead, John Zaharchuk, Wayne Rohner and Scott Schaller. It was agreed that a meeting would be held on site once the grading work is complete. Mr. Courtright stated that the contractors need to modify the grading from the pump station towards the bank. Mr. Courtright also stated that he will schedule a meeting with John Zaharchuk regarding the location of the fence.

 

 Mr. Courtright stated that the internal sewer line cleaning has not begun as of yet at Big Ridge. Mr. Courtright also stated that their sewer concerns are the root of our odor problems and the Authority should consider sending a letter to Big Ridge. After further discussion it was agreed that Attorney Deetz send a letter to Big Ridge Developers regarding the effluent, odor, cleaning, maintenance and corrosive issues.

 

Scott Schaller asked the Authority if the R. Douglas Olmstead, Township Engineer could work with the Authority as the alternate engineer. Perry M. Henley stated that the Authority would rather have someone outside the realm. Mr. Deetz stated that he will compile a list of potential engineers and send it to Michele Clewell for the members.

 

Plant Operators Report

Mr. Scholtz stated that copies of DEP odor complaints were given to the members in their packets for their review.

 

Mr. Scholtz stated that he prepared a spreadsheet on the electric usage for their review.

 

Mr. Scholtz provided his April 2008 DMR for the Winona Lakes STP and there are no violations.

 

Mr. Scholtz stated that he received a price quote $2,545.00 for the Lake of the Pines flow meter from W.G. Malden Inc. Fred May made a motion to accept the price quote for a flow meter for Lake of the Pines from W.G. Malden Inc. in the amount of $2,545.00. Mickey Roth seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Mr. Scholtz provided the members with a list of parts and labor costs associated with the repair work at Lot 49 Winona Lakes. The Authority stated that this item should remain on the agenda for discussion at the next regular meeting.

 

Perry M. Henley asked Robyn Pugh if she had any questions for the board. Ms. Pugh stated that she analyzed the current user fees and after further discussion recommended the Authority considers an increase in 2009 of $50.00 per user of the Route 209 treatment plant

 

Scott Miller of Riley & Company presented an addendum to the original engagement letter dated January 22, 2007. The engagement letter dated May 21, 2008 states that the additional fees for audit services will not exceed $2,000.00 for a total fee of $12,850.00. Oscar Woerlein made a motion to accept and sign the Riley & Company Engagement Letter addendum. Fred May seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

 

There being no further business the meeting adjourned in regular order at 9:30 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Michele Clewell, Recording Secretary

MSTMA – May 21, 2008

 

 

Perry M. Henley ____________________      Mickey Roth _________________________

 

Jack O’Rourke _____________________      Oscar Woerlein ______________________

 

Fred May _________________________