The Telford Borough Authority Meeting held this date was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Timothy Hagey with the following members in attendance: Tom Taglang and Abram Diehl.  Nelson Moll was absent. Also present were Borough Manager Mark D. Fournier, Recording Secretary Cathy Fried, Public Works Director Donald Beck, Solicitor Mark E. Weand, Jr., and Engineer Patrick DiGangi.

It was noted that within the March 20, 2008 minutes a Taglang / Moll motion was carried unanimously authorizing the signing of the checks rather than a Taglang / Diehl motion as indicated in the minutes.  A Diehl /Taglang motion carried unanimously (3-0) approving the March 20, 2008 minutes as amended.

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: none

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1.         TMDL Update:

Manager Mark Fournier reviewed items that were included in the meeting packets that included e-mails with Attorney John Hall.  Mr. Hall feels the TMDL issue must be addressed in the political arena and a meeting should be set up in Washington with EPA.  The goal is to try to delay or deflect the implementation of the TMDL for the Indian Creek in the hope that EPA will relax some of the parameters.  Timothy Hagey reported he met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) who indicated the TMDL is a work in progress though the science may not be there.  The comment period ends tomorrow, April 18^th.  The area of controversy is that the parameters have been set, but a study has not been done to determine that the required work and expense will benefit the stream as speculated and not cause any harm to the creek.  According to CKS Engineers the cost for the modifications to the wastewater treatment plant  to reach the TMDL limits including installing membrane filtration will be approximately $13,000,000 with an increase of operating costs per year of $240,000.

2.         Return Sludge Pump Project Update:

The project is complete.  A change order is in process.  Payment will be processed as soon as the application for payment is received.   

REPORTS:

TREASURER'S REPORT:  accepted as presented

WATER DEPARTMENT REPORT:

AUTHORITY

•1.          Wells - Daily maintenance and record keeping were performed.  Samples were drawn and tested as required.

2.     Reliance Road Water Main Replacement - N. P. W. A. has been delayed in starting their main replacement along Reliance Road.  Consequently, we will reschedule our project until later in the season.

3.     Meetinghouse Road Water Extension - Trench restoration is planned for April with the full width overlayment to follow in May.

4.     Woodspring Meadows Subdivision - Installation of thirty six (36) ¾" water services in Woodspring Meadows by our public works crew is complete.

5.     TBA / Sellersville Interconnect - Installation of the 8" water main extension along Clymer Avenue in West Rockhill Township between our system and Sellersville Borough is complete.  Trench base repair is planned for April.  A bid opening for the proposed meter pit is scheduled for May 6^th.

6.     Well #1 Roof Replacement - The roof at Well #1 was replaced and a new service hatch over the well was installed.

7.     New Service - We installed a new ¾" service for the new house at 320 N. Hamilton Street, Telford Borough.

SEWER

1.     Reliance Road Sewer -Nothing at this time.

2.     New Lateral - Our crew installed a new lateral for 320 N. Hamilton Street, Telford Borough.

Centennial Park Phase II has been completed and we will be installing water lines within the park in the near future.  The base repair and trench work along Meetinghouse Road is complete and overlayment of this road will be completed in May.  The overlayment on Clymer Road will be done by the developer of Woodspring Meadows later this summer as previously agreed.

The public works crew has run water services to three (3) houses on Clymer Road and is ready for any future hookup.  Chris Haddon has begun working with Todd Mathe and he seems to be working out very well.

COLLECTION SYSTEM REPORT:

LIFT STATIONS:

Checked gauges at lift station daily and added bacteria as needed.

Pumped the grease out of the south lift and sprayed down the walls with degreaser.

After talking with Mark, we decided to start taking random samples from the China Wok lateral and have it checked for grease. Burger King and O'Grady's have been cleaning their grease traps on a regular basis. I'm 99% sure the China Wok are the ones giving us the grease problem at the south lift station.

MAINS:

I pulled manhole lids at five (5) locations looking for the source of the I&I problem at Washington Avenue and Reliance Road during the rainstorm on March 5^th.

Reviewed tapes of the sewer main on N. Hamilton Avenue looking for an available lateral connection for the new house being built.

Met with Jack Dillon from Reliance Road about his sewer lateral problem.

MONITORING AND MAPPING:

Reviewed and corrected sewer maps for CKS.

Downloaded and e-mailed Isco data to CKS weekly.

I moved data loggers from manhole 65 to manholes 159, 142.

I reviewed and marked areas where I would like the interceptor easement cleared this year.

HOME INSPECTIONS:

I inspected 69 homes for the month and found 9 violations, 2 of which have been repaired already. And, I re-inspected 2 repairs from inspections done in 2007.We sent letters via certified mail to 2 residents that did not make their repairs from 2007 notifying them that they have thirty days to make arrangements for the repairs or their water will be shut off. One resident responded saying their repair was made that they just failed to call for a re-inspection.

MISCELLANEOUS:

I was called out to turn the water off at the curb stop for the house on Erie Avenue that was on fire.

I worked with West Generator Company and Swartley Electric to correct the problem with the generator at the new shop.

I replaced a water meter for Todd at Rosecliffe Development.

I picked up parts for Dan Wurst at the Wastewater Treatment Facility at Hajoca.

I attended a PA One Call seminar in Schnecksville.

Manager Mark Fournier reported that Sewer Department Foreman Robert Kratz has been researching the grease problem at the South Lift Station.  He has determined the source to be either the China Wok or El Cactus restaurant and is pursuing eliminating this from our system since this is costing the Authority a lot of money to deal with this grease issue.   

WASTEWATER TREATMENT REPORT:

Operations

• Total flows for March was 27,242,000 gallons for an average daily flow of 878,800 gallons per day.
• We generated 48 tons of bio-solids for land application.
• Checked stream and outfall area on a weekly basis.
• There were no violations to report on our February 2008 DMR.
• We had two reportable Storm Mode events on March 8^th-9^th (with a SSO event at the plant head works) and on March 20^th.  Details on these events were sent in your board packets.
• We received our copy of the Part I Sewage Sludge Quality Certification and Part II Land Application Certification submitted to DEP on our behalf by Synagro for 2007.
• We received our copy of the 2007 Chapter 94 report submitted to DEP on our behalf by CKS Engineer. 
• LRM was in to install our new Return Sludge line flow meter.  This was a budget item.

Maintenance

• We called in Tri-Boro Services LLC to diagnose a steering problem on our Belt Filter Press.  We replaced both upper and lower sludge cake belts and rebuilt one steering roller.  We replaced a second steering roller altogether.  We reconfigured the drive chain assembly as part of the solution to the problem.  The Belt Press is now back operating normally.
• We reinstalled our Raw Sewage Pump #3 that had been sent out to be rebuilt at Bearings & Drives Unlimited.
• Derstine Company LLC has removed and replaced all three of the plants Return Sludge Pumps as was called for in the current contract.  All three pumps are operational and our in service at this time.
• We finished installing stainless steel splash guards on the fiberglass covers over the aeration discs on the plant's Oxidation Ditch.

Personnel

• Brett Bishop was in over his spring break to work at the plant.  His efforts were appreciated.
• I attended the recent TMDL meeting held at the Lower Salford Township building to hear information presented by EPA as to the proposed limits to be instituted on Discharge Monitoring Reports that will discharge Effluent to the Indian Creek.
• I attended a one day class held at the Bryn Athyn Borough building entitled Troubleshooting and Optimizing Activated Sludge for continuing education credits towards my sewage license.

Manager Mark Fournier briefly highlighted 1) the installation of the mag meter line, 2) they worked on the belt filter press, and 3) Brett Bishop, a seasonal worker, worked at the plant during spring break from college.

 PWTA REPORT:  no report

Abram Diehl reported a resolution to be adopted at the June meeting.  There is a downward trend in the number of gallons per EDU.

SOLICITOR'S REPORT:

1.           WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROGRAM.  There is nothing to report.  There has been no Township contact.

2.           WWTF.  All facility related aspects continue to be reviewed with the Manager and Engineer.  Operations submissions are reviewed on receipt.

3.           INFLOW AND INFILTRATION.  The I&I Report to DEP due March 31, 2008 has been completed and timely filed by CKS.  Review initiatives are undertaken by the Solicitor as this undertaking represents an ongoing topic of discussion with the Manager and Engineer.

4.           HILLTOWN INTERCONNECT AGREEMENT.  An Interconnect Agreement with the Hilltown Township Water and Sewer Authority remains pending. 

5.           RELIANCE ROAD SURCHARGE ISSUES.  The Reliance Road surcharge continues to be addressed by the Engineer for resolution.  The flows are currently being metered.  Efforts are being made to remove I&I in the affected area.

6.           HILLTOWN PLAZA HOME DEPOT.  Although an attorney contact was reported, the Grant & Bill of Sale and eight Utility Easement Agreements have not been returned.  A follow-up call to Richard Koory, Esquire will be initiated by the Solicitor.

7.           COVENTRY MEADOWS I.  Although the developer is building some houses, there is not much construction or activity to report.

8.           COVENTRY MEADOWS II (METZGER TRACT).  The updated certified escrow amount as requested by the developer has been submitted by the Solicitor.  There remains no response from legal counsel.

9.           RYAN COURT (ERIE AVENUE TRACT).  Extensive email submissions have been received from developer's engineer, IEM.  The developer's engineer referenced the necessity to prepare new legal descriptions and plan attachments in order to reference the last revised record plan.  The projected submissions would be for Ryan Court right-of-way, Erie Avenue ultimate right-of-way, stormwater detention and utility easement over Parcel A, utility and access easement over Parcel B, utility easement over Lot 32, and 10 foot wide stormsewer easement over Lots 4-9.  The Solicitor will prepare all required documents upon receipt of this material.

10.        WISTERIA COURT (KONYK TRACT).  A few units are under construction with representation that four have been sold.  Since the Authority facilities have been installed for some time, there is nothing further to report.

11.        VILLAGE AT ROSECLIFFE.  This development continues under construction.  Upon completion, Easement and Dedication Agreements will be prepared by the Solicitor. 

12.        WOODSPRING MEADOWS (STEINHAUER TRACT).  Preliminary testing of the sanitary sewer facilities has been completed.  Manhole testing will be required once the base paving is completed.  There has been no further reference to the Solicitor.

13.        SUBURBAN EQUITIES III, LLC.  There continues to be no contact or activity with regard to this proposed development.   

14.        CALVARY CHURCH.   On March 27, 2008, the Solicitor recorded the two Utility Easement Agreements with the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds.  The originals were submitted to the Manager for record retention.  Copies were provided to Calvary Church.  The Grant & Bill of Sale will be submitted upon completion of all closeout requirements.

15.           2008 BUDGET.  Budget aspects and line items continue to be discussed with the Manager. 

16.           SELLERSVILLE WATER INTERCONNECT.  The interconnect facilities located behind the curb have been installed.  CKS will revise the bid specs for the vault.  Bid opening is projected for May 6, 2008. 

17.           WELL NO. 4.  (A) Commonwealth Court Appeal.  On March 6, 2008, the Solicitor filed a Notice of Intervention and Certificate of Service with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.  Thereafter, the Solicitor received notification that the original record had been filed with the Court.  The notification directed M&M Stone Co. to file its Brief and Reproduced Record by May 5, 2008.  Appellee/Respondent's Brief is to be filed 30 days after service of the Brief for the Appellant/Petitioner.  Accordingly, this Appeal is moving forward.  All aspects will continue to be coordinated with legal counsel for DEP.   (B) United States District Court.  Following initiation of this suit, all party defendants filed Motions to Dismiss.  Since these motions were filed before the Environmental Hearing Board Opinion on January 31, 2008, a Joint Supplemental Brief in support of defendants' Motions to Dismiss has been prepared to assert the Doctrine of Collateral Estoppel.  It is asserted that the EHB Opinion precludes plaintiff from proceeding because of the adverse determination. (C) Bucks County Litigation.  There has been no activity.  It is projected that there will be no activity until there is a determination in the pending federal suit.

18.           ARSENIC REMEDIATION.  (A) Well No. 6.  The backwash water permit remains pending with no activity by DEP.  (B)  Well No. 4.  The mechanical design component is approximately 90% complete.  The electrical design component requires completion.

19.           FRANCONIA TOWNSHIP SEWER SERVICE/SALFORD TOWNSHIP.  It is believed that Franconia Township Sewer Authority is in the process of designing and/or constructing pump stations and lines going up to service Salford Township.  Since there is no significant update since last report, this item will be deleted from further reference. 

20.           H&K QUARRY WATER SUPPLY WELL.  The Manager has initiated a contact for well assessment.  Additional detail will be provided as discussion develops.

21.           M&M LAND DEVELOPMENT.  There is nothing to report on the proposed residential development on the site adjoining the M&M Quarry operation.

22.           NOBLE OAKS.  The four Utility Easement Agreements have been returned by Michael Evans and Robert C. Alderfer, but require Montgomery County recording.  The Grant & Bill of Sale has also been returned.  Recording should provide project closeout.

23.           SOUTH SEWERAGE LIFT STATION.  There continues to be no contact with regard to this proposed rerouting of flow.

24.        WELL NO. 7.  As previously referenced, the construction of the Meetinghouse Road extension has been completed.  The tap to the curb has been made.  The property has not yet connected.

25.        RETURN SLUDGE PUMP REPLACEMENT.  The three pumps have been installed.  The pumps must be painted.  The completion date is April 4, 2008.  A factory certificate pertaining to a slight noise in one pump is required. 

26.        GIS MAPPING.  GIS mapping for the total system update continues with CKS.  Approximately 80% of the total project has been completed.  Approximately 95% of the work within the Borough has been completed.

27.        CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT.  The 2008 Consumer Confidence Report due by July 1, 2008 is in progress and will be timely distributed to all customers.

28.        2007 AUDIT.  The Solicitor's Opinion pertaining to the Audit of the 2007 Financial Statements of the Telford Borough Authority has been prepared and submitted to Styer Associates as requested.

29.        SOUTH TANK REPAINTING PROJECT.  CKS intends to contact the contractor to advise that the one-year anniversary date inspection is required.

30.        ELECTRIC ROOM FIRE.  The question of insurance coverage continues to be discussed with the Manager and Engineer.  The Manager is currently dealing with two insurance companies which are attempting to sort out what each will cover.

31.        CHAPTER 94 REPORT.  The PA DEP Chapter 94 Municipal Wasteload Management 2007 Annual Report as prepared by CKS has been received and reviewed by the Solicitor.

Solicitor Mark Weand reported he received a phone call from the Kimberly Freimuth's office letting him know that she is out of the office on maternity leave and someone else is presently handling matters concerning Coventry Meadows II.  Mark Weand has made changes to the format of the escrow agreement. 

Ryan Court:  Mark Weand suggested an all-party meeting and at this time John Garis has agreed to an all-party meeting that will take place on Tuesday, April 22^nd to finalize the items necessary for dedication.  The engineer will also be at the meeting.

Calvary Church:  Mark Weand has recorded the utility easement agreements.  The project has been closed out.

M&M Stone Quarry - Mark Weand filed a Notice of Intervention on March 6^th; M&M Stone Quarry's brief is due May 5^th; and our brief is due 30 days thereafter (end of May).

Noble Oaks - Mark Weand recorded four (4) easement agreements.

Mark Weand prepared and submitted his opinion to Styer Associates in response to the 2007 audit.

Thomas Taglang asked about the probability of a well by the H & K Quarry.  Mark Fournier responded the amount of water produced may not warrant the expense of a well in that area.  A feasibility study and hydrogeologic evaluation may cost approximately $30,000 as recently reviewed and discussed with David Fennimore of Earth Data, Inc.

ENGINEER'S REPORT:

Engineer Patrick DiGangi reported the meter pit is being bid for the Sellersville Interconnection.  He is working on contract documents for the Right of Way project like the project completed last year.

Timothy Hagey asked about the Nase property.  Mark Weand is working on the agreements.

Engineer Patrick DiGangi explained pictures that were taken at a wastewater treatment plant in Delaware that he and Mark Fournier visited.  The plant was a membrane bio-reactor type facility.

MANAGER'S REPORT:

• Met with the Authority Engineer and Solicitor to coordinate various project reviews and construction projects.
• Met with various engineers / owners regarding sewer and water service to serve their proposed properties.
• Coordinate plan reviews of various projects needing water and sewer service.
• Met with staff to discuss personnel needs and staff replacements.
• Performed interconnection with Sellersville Water System on Clymer Avenue.

Manager Mark Fournier reported PennDot is done with the base repair on Church Road. They will be back for the overlayment.

Timothy Hagey asked when the work will be done on Summit Avenue.  Public Works Director Donald Beck did not have a definite answer because there have been water main breaks and they need to work on Centennial Field so they can proceed with the pavilion.  Also, waterline work needs to be done on Reliance Road and coordinated with North Penn Water Authority and Souderton Borough.  And, with summer coming there will be vacations that will create a shortage of staff.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Timothy Hagey briefly reviewed the discussion with supervisors of West Rockhill Township.  He commented that he agrees with all items listed in the letter from West Rockhill Township with the exception of the suggested franchise fee to be charged to the residents of that township.  He feels everyone should be charged the same rate for the same service.  With regard to sewer service of the Circle Drive area, Timothy Hagey feels the homeowners should pay one-half of the cost, West Rockhill Township one-quarter of the cost and Telford Borough Authority the remaining one-quarter of the cost.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

The Authority entered into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter.

The Authority closed Executive Session at 7:53 p.m.

No action was taken.

Payment of the bills and requisitions for the month of March in the amount of $145,967.95 was approved unanimously (3-0) by a Taglang / Diehl motion.

A Taglang / Diehl motion carried unanimously (3-0) authorizing the signing of the checks.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. by a Taglang / Diehl motion.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Taglang

Secretary