•· K & A Services was in to flush out all the piping coming out of the oxidation ditch to the final clarifiers. They also flushed out the Return Sludge Building drain line and the main pipe from the primary clarifier tanks to the plant's pump station. This job is completed on a yearly basis.
•· Davidheisers, Inc. was in and replaced all the locking mechanisms on all the doors around the wastewater treatment plant. This job was done as a security measure.
•· We replaced the motor on Blower #1 as required. This motor was in service for less than a year according to our records. We contacted the vendor who supplied the motor and they replaced it at no cost to us under the warranty agreement.
Personnel
Our new employee, Bill McCue, has been added to the weekend rotation starting January 1st of this year.
PWTA REPORT:
Abram Diehl reported two (2) new members from Perkasie attended the meeting last month.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT:
1. WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROGRAM. There remains no Township contact. This item, however, will continue to be referenced by reason of the importance of the Wellhead Protection Program to the Authority.
2. WWTF. All facility related aspects continue to be reviewed with the Manager and Engineer. The contract for the oxidation ditch shaft replacement has been signed. The shaft has been ordered. The replacement of this component will commence in six to ten weeks.
3. INFLOW AND INFILTRATION. The next semi-annual status report to DEP is due March 2009. Data continues to be collected by CKS.
4. HILLTOWN INTERCONNECT AGREEMENT. An Interconnect Agreement with the Hilltown Township Water and Sewer Authority remains pending.
5. INTERZONE TRANSFER PROJECT PHASE II (RELIANCE ROAD SURCHARGE). The Solicitor attended the bid opening on January 28, 2009. The bid tabulation was presented to the Authority on February 5, 2009 for contract award. Notice of intent to award was submitted to Passerini & Sons, Inc. by CKS with request for document submission for compliance with bid manual.
6. HILLTOWN PLAZA HOME DEPOT. Since last report, the Solicitor initiated a call to corporate counsel to address request for supplemental advance to cover easement recording fees. The Solicitor advised that the Authority cannot access the proposed easement area for repair or maintenance. Although it was indicated that the matter would be addressed, there has been no response.
7. COVENTRY MEADOWS I. There remains no activity to report.
8. COVENTRY MEADOWS II (METZGER TRACT). (A) The Service and Escrow Agreements have not been returned by the developer. (B) The Solicitor has reviewed CKS correspondence to the developer requesting dedication of the sanitary sewer line in Keystone Drive to service residences with failed systems. The work needed to complete dedication was delineated. DeLuca Homes responded favorably suggesting dedication of the entire sanitary system to keep things clean. Evaluation will be initiated with the Manager and Engineer for response.
9. WISTERIA COURT (KONYK TRACT). Following status review with the Manager and Engineer, it was determined that nothing is going on with this project. Only a few of the nine units have been completed.
10. VILLAGE AT ROSECLIFFE. There is no update since last report. Four Easements Agreements have been completed by the Solicitor in draft form. Direction to finalize and record remains pending upon other project aspects.
11. WOODSPRING MEADOWS (STEINHAUER TRACT). The construction aspect of this thirty-two (32) unit townhouse development is proceeding but at a slow pace. Accordingly, there is no specific activity to report.
12. HARLEYSVILLE SAVINGS BANK. This project comprising a bank facility at 411 North County Line Road was discussed at review conference on February 4, 2009 with the Manager and Engineer. Cost estimates for the escrow account tabulation were submitted to the Solicitor. The Record Plan of Land Development as prepared by Stout, Tacconelli & Associates, Inc. was reviewed to assess all detail. Subsequently, the Solicitor prepared in draft form Service and Escrow Agreements for review with the Manager.
13. UNIVEST BANK, ROUTE 113. This project comprising a bank facility at Bethlehem Pike and Route 113 was reviewed with the Manager and Engineer on February 4, 2009. It was determined that two existing easements must be extinguished and that two new easements must be acquired. The Solicitor has been provided with construction cost estimates and related detail for service and escrow agreement preparation. The legal descriptions provided by Urwiler & Walter, Inc. have been approved by CKS. Accordingly, agreement drafting will be initiated by the Solicitor.
14. DELBAR TRACT SUBDIVISION. Project closeout documents comprising a Roadway Deed of Dedication and a Grant & Bill of Sale remain pending with the Solicitor.
15. LANDIS SUPERMARKET. Project review is maintained with the Manager and Engineer. Authority Service Agreements will be prepared at a later date when required.
16. BUDGET. Budget items continue to be referenced with the Manager.
17. SELLERSVILLE WATER INTERCONNECT. An Interconnect Agreement remains pending with the Solicitor.
18. WELL NO. 4 LITIGATION. (A) Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. On January 5, 2009, M&M Stone Co. filed a Petition for Allowance of Appeal in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from the Opinion of the Commonwealth Court. On January 20, 2009, the Solicitor initiated a filing pursuant to Pa. R.A.P. 1116 with the Supreme Court on behalf of the Authority. On January 22, 2009, the DEP filed a Brief in Opposition to the Petition for Allowance of Appeal. Copies of all filings are provided to the Manager. A prompt determination is not projected. (B) United States District Court. (i) The Motions to Dismiss the Amended Complaint filed by M&M remain pending with the District Court. The Solicitor has received no subsequent contact. (ii) There remains no response to the Solicitor's request to legal counsel for M&M for report on Moyer Well evaluation conducted on September 29, 2008. (iii) There has been no further activity pertaining to a Blum Well inspection following the issuance of subpoena on September 21, 2008. (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. (D) Temporary Discharge Approval. There has been no contact since completion of the depositions on October 27 and 28, 2008. As previously represented, a hearing has been scheduled before the Environmental Hearing Board on April 20, 2009 at the DEP Southeast Regional Office in Norristown. (E) Water Loss Insurance. No information has been received with regard to the substance of resolution of the federal litigation involving the issue of water loss insurance coverage for M&M Stone Co.
19. ARSENIC REMEDIATION. (A) The arsenic remediation design for Well No. 4 has basically been completed by CKS. (B) DEP has issued an NPDES Permit for the backwash discharge of the Well No. 4 and Well No. 6 Arsenic Treatment System. The necessity and duration of this requirement has been questioned by CKS based upon concentration and flow.
20. M&M LAND DEVELOPMENT. There continues to be no contact from M&M following review meeting on July 22, 2008.
21. SOUTH SEWERAGE LIFT STATION. There is no update since last report.
22. GIS MAPPING. CKS and Authority personnel continue with GIS mapping. The Sanitary Sewer System GIS Mapping is approximately 95% complete and the water system mapping is approximately 50-60% complete.
23. WEST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP PROPOSALS. West Rockhill Township has not responded to the Village of Almont Water Service Study as prepared by CKS at the expense of the Authority. By correspondence dated January 23, 2009, however, West Rockhill Township has requested to become a full member of PWTA or in the alternative, purchase available EDUs as a customer. This request is in conjunction with an ongoing revision of the Township's Sewerage Facilities Plan (Act 537). PWTA correspondence dated January 30, 2009 making preliminary inquiry as to reservation at the outset has been reviewed by the Solicitor. A formal response from the Authority has been requested.
24. TEVA. Comprehensive cost evaluations pertaining to the TEVA service situation were prepared by the Engineer and discussed at recent meeting. The Engineer in conjunction with the Manager and Solicitor is preparing a response indicating Authority determination not to acquire the three new wells, but offer to share water line expense if TEVA would opt to become a water customer. Otherwise, the Authority is looking for full compensation in accordance with its rate schedule for the purpose of sanitary sewer EDUs required.
25. TMDLs. The Solicitor participated in a conference call on February 3, 2009 with John Hall and counsel for the participating entities to discuss all aspects of the TMDL situation and formulate approach. Subsequently, the Solicitor submitted Notice of Deposition of John Hines to be held in the DEP Harrisburg office on February 24, 2009. Deposition dates for other DEP personnel are being coordinated with counsel. The Scheduling Order issued by the Environmental Hearing Board will require extension as discovery will not be completed within the timeframe delineated. A revised Order has the concurrence of DEP counsel. In the interim, a multitude of emails continues to be received and reviewed by the Solicitor for required participation.
26. LUTHERAN COMMUNITY AT TELFORD. The Solicitor met with the Manager and Engineer on February 4, 2009 to discuss all service aspects. By reason of necessity for plan revision, it is not projected that the Telford Borough Planning Commission will review this development in February. The review timeframe under the Municipality Planning Code will probably require extension.
27. SANITARY SEWER RELINING PROJECT. CKS is still working on the bid documents.
28. ROW CLEARING PROJECT. This project is still in process with final seeding to occur in the spring.
29. STREAM BANK STABILIZATION. The Engineer will prepare a legal description for an easement over a portion of the Nissen property in the vicinity of Well No. 6 for installation of Gaybion baskets. Bid documents to be prepared may also include work required in other locations. Cost estimates have been discussed.
30. TAPPING FEE CALCULATION. The Solicitor has met with the Manager and Engineer to review calculations for (a) the Sanitary Sewer System Tapping Fee and (b) the Water System Tapping Fee. Consistency with all Resolutions will be required.
Solicitor Mark Weand reported he is in the process of preparing the Harleysville Savings Bank and Univest Corporation agreements. Regarding the Delbar Tract, he reported the project is complete with the exception of an issue with the distribution from the escrow account regarding construction work. Engineer Patrick DiGangi reported a partial payment has been made. Mark Weand reported that no determination has been made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the M&M stone case. The petitions are still pending. There has been no response from federal court in this case either, for the motions to dismiss.
Mark Weand participated in a conference call on February 3rd regarding the pending the TMDL appeals. The deposition of John Hines, DEP, has been scheduled for February 24th in Harrisburg. Mark Weand and Mark Fournier attend. The deposition of Thomas Henry is scheduled for March 4th. Mr. Henry is a retired employee of Environmental Protection Agency. He will provide some insight to the formulation of TMDL's. Two (2) more depositions will be scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. It was the consensus of the Authority that Solicitor Mark Weand attend these depositions in order to give the Authority his perception of the content of the depositions.
ENGINEER'S REPORT: We received a written monthly report for the file.
Engineer Patrick DiGangi reported the Chapter 94 reports and I/I report are complete and are awaiting Mark Fournier's signature to be sent to PWTA for their report. These reports are to be sent to DEP by the end of March. He also reported the 2008 Right of Way Clearing Project is approximately 80% complete.
MANAGER'S REPORT:
•· Met with the Authority Engineer and Solicitor to coordinate various project reviews and construction projects.
•· Coordinated development activity of various development projects.
•· Held a pre-construction meeting for the 2008 Right of Way Clearing Project.
•· Coordinated a meeting seeking permission of the adjoining property owner to Well #6 to complete the Stream Bank Stabilization Project.
•· Met with the Engineer and Solicitor to review the calculations pertaining to the proposed tapping fee study.
•· Met with various property owners to coordinate the 2008 Right of Way Clearing Project.
•· Held a pre-construction meeting for the Nase sewer line extension project.
•· Met with the Engineer and Public Works Director to investigate potential stream bank stabilization work recently discovered during ROW clearing.
•· Met with the owners of a local restaurant to review the number of reserved EDU's they have and the relation to the number of service charges they receive.
•· Held a bid opening for the Interzone Transfer Phase II Project.
OTHER BUSINESS: none
Payment of bills and requisitions for the month of January in the amount of $179,473.59 was approved unanimously (4-0) by a Moll / Diehl motion.
A Moll / Diehl motion was carried unanimously (4-0) authorizing the signing of the checks.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. by a Tagling / Moll motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas J. Taglang
Secretary
Meetings | Minutes 
