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The regular monthly meeting of the Upper Providence Township Sewer Authority was held on December 12, 2007 in the Township Building. It was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Chairman Robert G. Donze.

Those attending: Mr. Michael Byrne
Mr. John Ciminera
Mr. David Decker
Mr. Robert G. Donze
Mrs. Patricia Hall
Mr. James C. Kelly, Engineer
Mr. Donald D. Phillips
Mr. Robert L. Pinto, Solicitor
Mr. Richard T. Spielman
Mr. Frank Troilo
Mr. David A. Whinfrey

Others attending: Mr. Ed Cashman
Mr. Jay Jacobs, 12 Dora Drive
Mr. Patrick McGovern, 209 Dogwood Road
 

None.

The minutes of the meeting of November 14, 2007 were reviewed.

MOTION: Mr. Donald D. Phillips moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of
November 14, 2007 as presented. Seconded by Mr. David A. Whinfrey.
Motion carried unanimously. (MOTION 07-12-86)

None

 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-nine connection permits have been approved, and 79 low-pressure and 10 gravity connections have been completed in the Gelbert Street/Farnum Road Sewer Extension Project.

The Rose Tree Park project is essentially completed. The phone system is reactivated and the auto dialer is connected and should be operational within a week. Mr. Spielman is waiting for some paperwork from the contractor, such as as-built drawings and equipment manuals. A final “walk through” will be scheduled in the next few weeks. Mr. Kelly has not received a payment request for the project
this month.

Mr. Spielman contacted Mr. Alan Roth of Aqua and asked him to consider a bulk rate for future flows. He is awaiting his response. He also noted that our CDCA rate has increased to $2.62 per 1000 gallons.

Both Mr. Spielman and Mr. Kelly attended a web presentation whose participants were eligible to buy into. Three speakers, one from California, one from New York, and one from Kentucky, spoke on the subject of infiltration, concentrating specifically on private property. While many of their approaches were familiar, the laws they dealt with regarding privacy were slightly different as were the governmental structures involved. This could make it easier or harder to enact laws and ordinances. Messrs. Kelly and Spielman will review this information at the next Engineering Committee meeting in an effort to address the issues of inflow and infiltration, particularly through services in our system. While there are many approaches we can take, almost all of them will require some type of governmental action. Mr. Kelly stated that the three presenters all indicated they had very, very significant reductions in flows by addressing the private system, i.e. sump pumps, laterals, etc. A discussion followed.

Kelly Engineers is currently addressing the following issues: A new pump station maintenance contract; a bid proposal for the new generator; and a report to DEP regarding I&I.
SEWER AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 12, 2007 PAGE THREE


The repair of the two manholes on Bobbin Mill Road is on hold pending a review of the single source bid for this work.

Mr. Ciminera referred to the November 30 letter from Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McGovern regarding the Sewer Authority’s November 26 letter about their need to connect to the sewer system within 90 days or face severe penalties and/or fines.

Mr. McGovern was in attendance and spoke to his situation. He explained that there is about 150 feet from his house to the sewer tie-in, which passes down a severe slope through the front yard and is planted with prized rhododendrons and azaleas. He has been looking for a plumber who would use an underground pneumogopher, to minimize plant damage. He is asking for more time in which to have the job done and the sewer connection made. Mr. Decker noted that he has given Mrs. McGovern the telephone number for an excavation contractor who works with plumbers on the Authority’s list; and Mr. Spielman will be contacting Mr. McGovern to offer his help.

REPORT OF COMMITTEES

An Engineering Committee meeting is scheduled for January 7 at 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Ciminera, of the Finance Committee, referred to the 2008 preliminary budget.

The Personnel and Administration Committee asked for an Executive Session.
Following their return, Mr. Byrne praised those employees who work for the Sewer Authority for their dedication and service, and announced that they will be awarded a bonus in addition to a salary increase for the year 2008.

MOTION: Mr. John Ciminera moved that the Authority’s budget for 2008 be
adopted and the increases to be given to those Sewer Authority
employees be incorporated into the budget. Seconded by
Mr. David A. Whinfrey. Motion carried unanimously.
(MOTION 07-12-88)

MR. JAMES C. KELLY, KELLY ENGINEERS
Mr. Kelly attended the CDCA meeting yesterday. The board voted to approve the Membership Agreement in a form acceptable to all three new member municipali-ties; however, approval was not unanimous. Swarthmore and Nether Providence voted nay stating that the issue of everyone’s (existing member municipalities) ability to get future capacity for all their needs is not adequately addressed. They feel this is a problem and the Agreement does not protect them. It appears that unanimous approval by the governing bodies of all nine member municipalities will not be attained quickly. It has taken 13 months and many revisions of the document and there are still objections to the terms of the agreement. The CDCA board, however, agreed that a letter would go out to each member municipality requesting that they act on the Agreement on or before January 31, 2008 and offering to come to their meetings to explain why the CDCA board feels this is the best option.

One positive result of the majority board (CDCA) approval is that the agreement can now be included in the resubmission of the 537 Plan to DEP.

Mr. Kelly has sent PADEP a copy of the I&I report requested in their August 28, 2007 letter. He is prepared to present details of the report and its recommendations to the Engineering Committee at its meeting, which has been rescheduled for January 7. Included in the report is information regarding what the Sewer Authority has done in the past, what it does presently, and what it plans to do in the future regarding inflow and infiltration into the system.

To date, three copies of the Pump Station and Emergency Maintenance Program contract have been distributed to contractors. The bid opening is scheduled for January 8, 2008.

Project specifications have been prepared for purchase of an emergency generator to meet the needs of all the pump stations in the system. A separate specification package is being prepared for the modification of each of the stations to facilitate connection of the generator to the power supply system for each location. Mr. Kelly met today with Mr. Golden’s electrician, who installed most of the systems, to review the individual characteristics of each of the stations. He is recommending that the project be advertised as a package in two parts—the purchase of the generator, and the modification of the pump station power systems and any site improvements necessary to provide for quick connection of the generator in an emergency situation. The project will be advertised for bids to be received in January for review at the January meeting.

Mr. Kelly has coordinated with Mr. Spielman and Mr. Pinto to verify that we have adequately followed the emergency response procedures under the Municipal Authorities Act regarding the repair of the two manholes at Bobbin Mill Road. He is asking that the Authority ratify this expenditure by motion in the amount of $7,655.00. This motion was made last month.


MOTION: Mr. Donald D. Phillips moved to accept the Engineer’s report as
presented. Seconded by Mr. Frank Troilo. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 07-12-89)
 

 MR. ROBERT L. PINTO, SOLICITOR
Mr. Pinto reported that, since the November 26 “connection” letters had been sent out (as the Township authorized), there have been four written responses and one telephone response. He noted that, while there isn’t a definitive method on how to proceed, we should get our responses together so he can then sit down with Mr. Hamaday to go over them. Mr. Decker suggested that, in future letters, Mr. Pinto consider adding that resident responses should be in writing.

About two weeks ago, Mr. Pinto spoke with Mr. Russ McIntosh about several issues. At that time, Mr. McIntosh made four points.

1`. The Township and Sewer Authority probably both have expectations about how financing the debt with CDCA is going to be handled. He feels the Authority should get together with the Township to find out what the Township is looking for as far as reimbursement, if any, for the cost of membership in CDCA.

2. If the Authority feels there is an obligation, even if rates are not raised now, it is probably a good idea to raise them a little bit each year.

3. The Authority should explore a bulk rate with Aqua.

4. With regard to future projects, the Authority should look into financing larger amounts.

A discussion followed.

MOTION: Mr. David A. Whinfrey moved to accept the Solicitor’s report as
presented. Seconded by Mr. Michael Byrne. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 07-12-90)
 

PUMPING STATION ACTIVITY REPORT
In Mr. Golden’s pump station activity report, it was noted that during routine maintenance at the Bortondale pump station, an inspector repaired a leaking seal water feed line. Five days later, Mr. Golden responded to a call of back-up pump run at the station and replaced a cracked electrode holder. On November 19, he completed training on new equipment at the Rose Tree Park pumping station.

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

MOTION: Mr. John Ciminera moved to adjourn the meeting of December 12,
2007. Seconded by Mr. Michael Byrne. Motion carried unanimously.
(MOTION 07-12-92)

The meeting ended at 9:15 p.m.
 

Mrs. Stella B. Thompson

Approved ______________________