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Those attending: Mr. Michael Byrne
Mr. John Ciminera
Mr. David Decker
Mr. Robert G. Donze
Mrs. Patricia Hall
Mr. Kevin Matson, Kelly Engineers
Mr. Donald D. Phillips
Mr. Robert L. Pinto, Solicitor
Mr. Richard T. Spielman, Project Manager
Mr. Frank Troilo

Others attending: See attached list
Mr. Donze welcomed the newest Sewer Authority Board member, Mr. David Decker.

Mr. Bill Thomas (Valley View Road), who had attended July’s meeting, had a list of questions for the Authority. Mr. Donze noted that, while the Board had answered questions from him last month, they would be glad to answer any new questions that were not covered at that time. He suggested that the public might also have some questions for the Board.

Mr. C. Waldauer (Hunt Club Lane) asked what the estimated costs would be per household. Mr. Spielman stated that, based on the Authority’s past projects, the average cost was in the neighborhood of $7000.00 to $8000.00--$3500.00 to $5000.00 (resident’s average cost to hire a plumber to connect to the sewer line) plus a tapping fee of $2700.00 currently. He mentioned both the Township’s “duty to connect” ordinance if the primary dwelling is within 250 feet from the sewer line, and the Township’s regulation to connect within 90 days, noting that the Authority’s practice has been to work with the resident on this latter regulation.

Mr. D. Pound (Hunt Club Lane) asked what the driving issue was for putting sewers in. Mr. Donze said that need was the driving issue and it was the Authority’s mandate to sewer the Township. He mentioned capacity concerns that are currently being addressed and basically explained the Act 537 Plan.

Mr. N. Aini (Rose Tree Road) is in favor of going forward with sewers.

Mr. G. Powell (Preston Road) asked about the project cost and the possibility of upgrading the sewer system. Mr. Donze mentioned the agreement with Aqua to treat some of our wastewater, the possibility of renegotiating that contract, and of acquiring extra capacity. He explained that the Authority finances a project by the tapping fees received and by borrowing money at attractive rates for a specific period of time. He stated that the Authority’s goal is stabilization.
Mr. T. Harrison (Hunt Club Lane) just had a new septic system put in and will have to borrow more money to connect to the sewer. He asked if there is a special rate which would be extended to him as a homeowner or if there are any rate payment plans. Mr. Spielman stated that the Sewer Authority has no financing in-house; however, in the past there was a County program which was based on income levels.

Mr. M. Crowley (Ridley Creek Road) asked how the operating cost would be funded, and was informed that there is a flat quarterly fee for residents and a fee based on water usage for commercial customers. In response to his question about how he could keep abreast of what was happening, he was told that the Authority meeting minutes are posted on-line monthly, and he could also attend the monthly Sewer Authority meetings.

Ms. M. McCallister lives on Robin Hill Road, a private road, and wondered if she and her neighbors could exempt themselves as they live back on this winding road. Mr. Spielman stated that the fact that it is a private road does not have an impact. She also had a question about real estate disclosures.

Responding to a question about providing a list of plumbers, Mr. Spielman noted that we have provided such lists in the past; and that as the Authority gets closer to the project, he will meet with individual residents to discuss their concerns.

Ms. C. Larson of Toft Woods had a question about what would happen to a sewer plant on the property.

A resident on Summit Road asked to what extent those homes that are already sewered will contribute to the capital cost of the project. Mr. Ciminera explained that the cost will be financed through tapping fees paid by the project residents and through a loan paid for by those residents and by those already on the system. Mr. Spielman noted that the major single cost, by far, is treatment, about two-thirds.

Mr. B. Thomas questioned why the Authority charges a flat rate for all residents, small and large families, instead of charging based on water usage. Mr. Spielman stated that this is more economical and keeps administrative costs down. Mr. Byrne noted that it is hard to keep track of water usage if you have a well.

The minutes of the meeting of July 11, 2007 were reviewed.

MOTION: Mr. Donald D. Phillips moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of
July 11, 2007 as presented. Seconded by Mr. Michael Byrne. Motion
carried unanimously. (MOTION 07-08-61)

The voucher list for August 8, 2007 was reviewed. Expenses totaled $36,811.09.

MOTION: Mr. Donald D. Phillips moved to approve the voucher list of August 8,
2007 as presented. Seconded by Mr. John Ciminera. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 07-08-62)

Mr. Byrne met with Messrs. Donze, Pinto, and Troilo for an ad-hoc committee meeting to address the problem of residents who have not connected and/or have not paid sewer fees. It was decided to ask Township Council to give us the authority to proceed in sending out certified letters to residents who haven’t connected, to do so, and asking those who have not paid sewer rent, to pay it under the provisions of the Township ordinance, or subsequent measures will be taken in order to collect those monies.

Mr. Ciminera referred to the audited financial statement by Leitzell and Economidis, PC, noting that there was one change on page 15.

MOTION: Mr. John Ciminera moved that the audit conducted by Leitzell and
Economidis, PC for the year ended December 31, 2006 be approved as
amended. Seconded by Mr. Donald D. Phillips. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 07-08-63)

 PROJECT MANAGER’S REPORT
There has been no change in the number of permits issued (148) for sewer connections on the SASSSE Project and no change in the number of permits and
grinder pumps (178) for the WWASSE Project.

Eighty-seven connection permits have been approved and 76 low-pressure and 10 gravity connections have been completed in the Gelbert Street/Farnum Road Sewer Extension Project.


With regard to the Rose Tree Park project, the pump station interlock relays were installed on August 7 and the station was turned on. The final work can now be done. The park buildings will be converted from their on-site systems to the new system. Verizon has yet to provide phone service for the station auto dialer. Kelly Engineers has been following this aspect of the work.

Mr. Spielman met with Mr. Alan Roth of Aqua on August 1 and discussed the need for a more competitive rate for treatment. He is meeting with his senior management to discuss the matter.

Kelly Engineers needs to address the following issues before the end of the year: a new pump station maintenance contract; a bid proposal for the new generator; and Phase II of the I&I remediation program.

PADEP has requested a meeting to discuss overflows at the Lemon Street and Lincoln Street pumping stations. Messrs. Matson and Spielman will attend the meeting tomorrow in Norristown.

The meter at Media Station is malfunctioning and parts are no longer available for repair. Mr. Spielman is recommending replacement of this meter and has received a quote of $5,045.60.

MOTION: Mr. John Ciminera moved to authorize Mr. R. T. Spielman to replace
the meter at the Media Station at a price no greater than $5,045.60 after
soliciting two additional bids. Seconded by Mr. Michael Byrne. Motion
carried unanimously. (MOTION 07-08-64)

 MR. JAMES C. KELLY, KELLY ENGINEERS
The Act 537 Plan Update for the Township to become a member of CDCA is complete. The plan was advertised on July 10 and again on July 13, 2007, establishing the public comment and review period. According to the Township staff, several residents have reviewed the plan. Copies have been sent to the Delaware County Planning Department, Catania Engineering, Newtown Township, CDCA, DELCORA, and Edgmont Township for review and comment. A letter of approval from the Delaware County Planning Department was received on August 2, 2007. The update includes: Areas of the Township to be serviced by public sewer; regions to be diverted to CDCA and those scheduled for treatment at the Aqua Wastewater Treatment Plant; a timetable for flows to be routed to CDCA and flows to be routed to Aqua; layouts of the hybrid gravity and low-pressure systems to be used in the system; and engineering estimates for the proposed construction.

A meeting is scheduled with the CDCA Solicitor, James Byrne, Esq., for August 22, 2007 to discuss the terms of the agreement between CDCA, existing member municipalities and new member municipalities.  

MR. ROBERT L. PINTO, SOLICITOR

Mr. Pinto has the Sewer Improvements Development Agreement for Kenmore Woods LLC ready for signatures and asked for a motion to approve and execute it.

MOTION: Mr. Michael Byrne moved to approve and execute the Sewer
Improvements Development Agreement for Kenmore Woods LLC.
Seconded by Mr. Donald D. Phillips. Motion carried unanimously.
(MOTION 07-08-65)

PUMPING STATION ACTIVITY REPORT
In response to a call of power failure at Winter Street, Mr. Golden reset the control breaker and monitored operation. He met with the factory representative at Rose Tree Park to perform the startup of the new station, and provided diesel fuel for the generator.

Finding the lights and ventilation fan inoperative during routine maintenance at the Bortondale Station, Mr. Golden installed a new on/off switch. The next day he responded to a dialer call of backup pump run at the station, checked the operation, and found no cause for the alarm. On July 27, he installed a new fuel filter.

There were no incidents at any of the other pumping stations.

MOTION: Mr. Michael Byrne moved to adjourn the meeting of August 8, 2007.
Seconded by Mr. Frank Troilo. Motion carried unanimously.
(MOTION 07-08-66)

 The meeting ended at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Stella B. Thompson

Approved ______________________