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SEWER AUTHORITY
UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP
FEBRUARY 13, 2008
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The regular monthly meeting of the Upper
Providence Township Sewer Authority was held on January 9, 2008 in the
Township Building. It was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Robert G.
Donze. |
THOSE ATTENDING |
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Mr. Michael Byrne
Mr. John Ciminera
Mr. David Decker
Mr. Robert G. Donze
Mrs. Patricia Hall, Office Manager
Mr. James C. Kelly, Engineer
Mr. Donald D. Phillips
Mr. Robert L. Pinto, Solicitor
Mr. Richard T. Spielman, Operations Manager
Mr. Frank Troilo
Mr. David A. Whinfrey
Others attending: Ms. Lynne Dewees, 311 Timber Jump Lane
Mr. Jay Jacobs, 12 Dora Drive
Mr. Kevin Kellogg, 15 Down Street
Mr. Michael Byrne
Mr. John Ciminera
Mr. David Decker
Mr. Robert G. Donze
Mrs. Patricia Hall, Office Manager
Mr. James C. Kelly, Engineer
Mr. Robert L. Pinto, Solicitor
Mr. Richard T. Spielman, Operations Manager
Mr. Frank Troilo
Messrs. D. D. Phillips and D. A. Whinfrey were not present.
Others attending: Mr. Ed Cashman
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| PUBLIC COMMENT
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| MINUTES |
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The minutes of the meeting of January 9, 2008 were reviewed.
MOTION: Mr. Michael Byrne moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of
January 9, 2008 as presented. Seconded by Mr. David Decker.
Motion carried unanimously. (MOTION 08-02-17)
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| INCOME AND EXPENSES
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The voucher list for February 13, 2008 was reviewed. Expenses totaled
$52,942.46.
MOTION: Mr. John Ciminera moved to approve the voucher list of February
13, 2008
as presented. Seconded by Mr. Michael Byrne. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 08-02-18) |
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| REPORTS OF OFFICERS
- None |
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OPERATIONS 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
(178) and grinder pumps (177) for the WWASSE Project.
Ninety 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. Twenty permits have yet to be completed.
The contractor completed the rehab and repair of two manholes on Bobbin
Mill Road.
Mr. Pinto, Mr. Russ McIntosh, and Mr. Spielman met on February 6 to
discuss contract negotiations with Aqua Wastewater. Mr. McIntosh is
preparing a summary proposal and alternatives. A meeting will be scheduled
with Aqua after this information is reviewed.
Kelly Engineers is currently addressing the following issues: A new pump
station maintenance contract, which was completed on January 8, 2008; a
bid proposal for the new generator (Mr. Tim Kelly is working on this); and
a report to DEP regarding I&I, which has been completed and submitted to
DEP. There has been no response as yet.
Mr. McGovern (Dogwood Road) had attended the December meeting where he
explained that he had not connected to the sewer because he was concerned
about his prized plants and shrubbery being disturbed during the work. Mr.
Spielman met with him and reported that Mr. McGovern had located a
contractor to work with him and is very pleased with the results.
MOTION: Mr. John Ciminera moved to approve the Operations Manager’s report
as presented. Seconded by Mr. David Decker. Motion carried
unanimously. (Motion 08-02-19)
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
None.
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| REPORTS OF CONSULTANTS |
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MR. JAMES C. KELLY, KELLY and CLOSE ENGINEERS
On February 11, Marple Township approved the December 21, 2007
revision to the CDCA Supplemental Agreement between all of the existing
member and new member municipalities. The only remaining existing member
municipality to approve the contract is Nether Providence who will meet on
February 14, 2008.
In December, proposals were solicited from surveying companies to obtain
topographic, right-of-way, utility, property line and physical features
information for the areas of the Township north of the bypass to be
sewered. The surveyors were instructed that the scope of work was to
include the Ridley Creek and the Crum Creek Watershed areas.
To date, one proposal has been received from Wilkinson Associates. Another
proposal was expected to arrive today, however, it has not yet been
submitted.
One of the DEP Act 537 review comments is that the Township will have to
adopt a “Grinder Pump Ordinance.” A draft ordinance provided by PADEP was
included for consideration in Mr. Kelly’s report.
Kelly and Close Engineers were contacted today by Mr. Jesse Goldberg of
PADEP regarding the I&I activity synopsis submitted in November in
response to the August, 2007, letter from DEP. Mr. Goldberg commented that
the report addresses the concerns discussed at the August meeting,
however, he would like to see what actions the Authority is now taking to
abate inflow and infiltration in the system. He was advised that Kelly and
Close have been authorized to prepare a compilation of the measured flow
results of the work that has been done as compared to the initial 1996
study. He asked to be kept apprised of our progress in this work.
Mr. Kelly presented the bid tabulation for the Pump Station Emergency
Generator. The low bidder was Godwin Pumps of America, Inc. with a bid
price of $36,762.00 for the bid items. An optional warranty was provided.
Mr. Kelly is recommending acceptance of the proposal from Godwin Pumps of
America, Inc. subject to review of the documents by the Solicitor and
0perations Manager. Mr. Byrne asked about the possibility of an extended
service warranty for 5 years rather than the one and two-year warranty
included in the bid.
MOTION: Mr. David Decker moved to accept the bid proposal from Godwin
Pumps of America for the Pump Station Emergency Generator with a bid price
of $36,762.00, subject to review of the documents by the Solicitor
and Operations Manager. Seconded by Mr. Michael Byrne. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 08-02-20)
No payment request has been received for the Rose Tree Park comfort
station project this month.
Mr. Donze referred to the meeting on February 11, mentioned earlier in Mr.
Kelly’s report. A discussion followed. He also referred to the January 18
letter from Ms. Elizabeth Mahoney of PADEP to Mr. Hamaday in which she
indicated that the Proposed Official Sewage Facilities Plan Update for the
Township is not in accordance with the provisions set forth in Chapter 71
and cited 22 reasons why it was not. Mr. Kelly is in the process of
responding.
MOTION: Mr. Michael Byrne moved to accept the Engineer’s report as
presented. Seconded by Mr. Frank Troilo. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 08-02-21)
MR. ROBERT L. PINTO, SOLICITOR
Mr. Pinto referred to the January 8 letter from Mr. Mark Derr of
HRG regarding their review of the capital charges imposed by the Sewer
Authority and their feeling that the best course of action is to wait
until plans for the expansion of the system are more certain. Mr. Derr
felt that the Authority might want to review fees that allow it to recover
specific capital costs associated with a new connection to the system,
specifically the connection fee and customer facilities fee authorized by
Act 57 of 2003.
Mrs. Hall will try to set up a meeting the first week of March with
Messrs. Cashman, Hamaday, Pappano, Pinto, and herself to discuss
proceeding against those residents who have not connected. Since it is the
Township that is proceeding, Mr. Pinto would need new authorization from
the Township to move forward.
Regarding Kenmore Woods LLC and the blanket sanitary sewer easement
agreement, Mr. Pinto will go over this with Mr. Kelly. If it is agreeable
with him, he will then have Mr. Whinfrey sign it when he returns.
MOTION: Mr. Michael Byrne moved to accept the Solicitor’s report as
presented. Seconded by Mr. David Decker. Motion carried
unanimously. (MOTION 08-02-22)
MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Donze referred to the January 8 letter and proposal from Leitzell and
Economidis, certified public accountants, to perform the annual audit of
the Sewer Authority for the year ended December 31, 2007 at a cost of
$6,500.00.
MOTION: Mr. David Decker moved to accept the proposal from Leitzell and
Economidis to perform the annual audit of the Upper Providence Township
Sewer Authority for the year ended December 31, 2007 for a fee of
$6,500.00. Seconded by Mr. Michael Byrne. Motion carried unanimously.
(MOTION 08-02-23)
Mr. Donze asked Mrs. Hall about the February 13 memorandum from Mr.
Hamaday regarding the purchase by Township Council of the property at 50
Sandy Bank Road as part of the Open Space Acquisition Program. She
explained that Mr. Hamaday is requesting, on behalf of the Township
Council, that the Sewer Authority change the sewer account for the
property to an inactive status and suspend the quarterly billing until
such time as the Council determines the final disposition of the empty,
small single-family residence on the property.
MOTION: Mr. Michael Byrne moved to temporarily waive the sewer rent for
the property at 50 Sandy Bank Road. Seconded by Mr. Frank Troilo. Motion
carried unanimously. (MOTION 08-02-24)
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MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Golden responded to a call of backup pump run at the Valley View
station, found a worn check valve blocked with debris, and replaced the
valve. He also found a large buildup of debris in the wet well, which he
cleaned. He then monitored operations.
The wet well at the Rose Tree Estates Lower station was cleaned on January
16. On the 30th and 31st, during routine maintenance at the Rose Tree
Estates Upper station, an inspector found high run times on pump #1 and a
worn impeller. He dewatered the station, checked the connections, and
installed a used rebuilt spare pump.
There were no incidents at any of the other pumping stations.
MOTION: Mr. Michael Byrne moved to adjourn the meeting of February 13, 2008.
Seconded by Mr. David Decker. Motion carried unanimously.
(MOTION 08-02-25) |
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PUMPING STATION ACTIVITY REPORT
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The meeting ended at 8:25 p.m.
Mrs. Stella B. Thompson
Approved ______________________ |
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