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

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: none

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1.         TMDL Update:

Solicitor Mark Weand reported that he and Mark Fournier attended the deposition of John Hines, DEP Executive Director of Watershed Planning.  Mark Weand also reported that DEP has filed a Motion for Jurisdictional Hearing and a Motion to Stay Discovery with the Environmental Hearing Board.  The reason for the Motion for Jurisdictional Hearing is that the TMDL's were formulated by the EPA thereby making it a federal matter rather than a state matter.  Thomas Henry, a retired EPA employee, is scheduled for deposition at the Telford Borough Office on March 10, 2009.  The Motion to Stay Discovery is a request to extend the discovery period for another 120 days.

2.         M&M Stone Quarry Update:

A hearing has been scheduled for April 20, 2009 at the DEP Southeast Regional Office regarding the temporary discharge approval.  The PA Supreme Court has not made a decision regarding M&M Stone Quarry's Petition for Allowance of Appeal.  The U. S. District Court has not made a decision regarding the Motions to Dismiss the Amended Complaint.  And, there has been no response regarding the Moyer and Blum wells.  

3.         Arsenic Level Discussion:

Engineer Patrick DiGangi reported there are three (3) things to be considered.  1) Media replacement cost, 2) questions asked of Siemens, and 3) backwash parameters.  Siemens has quoted a replacement cost of $37,888 for the same grade of media.  Patrick DiGangi also asked for the term of the guarantee on the replacement media.  Siemens responded the term of the guarantee is unknown at this time.  Patrick DiGangi contacted Severn Trent and received a quote of $42,700 that includes the replacement media and the gravel beneath the media. Severn Trent quoted a bed life of their media to be 40.4 months based on the hours of operation and current pump rate.  They do, however, need to do a further analysis of the water being processed from Well #6.  Manager Mark Fournier, Water Department Foreman Todd Mathe, Patrick DiGangi, and a representative of Siemens met at a water treatment facility at Solebury Township that treats their water with the same equipment as Telford Borough Authority.  They questioned why there is break through of the media after only one (1) year. Test results from arsenic-treated water at Well #6 have indicated the system backwash water contains a higher concentration of iron and arsenic than is allowed by the NPDES Permit.  The purpose of the backwash process is to refresh and fluff up the media.   

4.         West Rockhill Township / PWTA Discussion:

Mark Fournier reported he and Mark Weand will develop a letter to respond to PWTA regarding West Rockhill Township's desire to become a member and or/purchase EDU's directly from a PWTA member.

5.         Tapping Fee Study:

Patrick DiGangi reported the Tapping Fee Study has been completed.  Mark Fournier reported he received adopted rules and regulations from a few other municipalities that will be reviewed by Solicitor Mark Weand, Engineer Patrick DiGangi and himself. 

 Other Business: 

Solicitor Mark Weand reported he would not be able to attend the Authority meeting of March 19^th; therefore, he highlighted a few items from his report.  Mark Weand reported he placed a second phone call to counsel for Hilltown Plaza Home Depot but has not received a response.  The Service and Escrow Agreements have been prepared for the proposed Harleysville Savings Bank.  The Roadway Deed of Dedication and Grant & Bill of Sale have been prepared.  Mark Weand reported he met with Mark Fournier and Patrick DiGangi to review the plans for the stream bank stabilization.  Patrick DiGangi is in the process of preparing the bid documents.  Patrick DiGangi will provide the legal descriptions necessary for the easement agreements for the 2008 Right of Way Clearing Project.   

A Moll / Diehl motion was carried unanimously (4-0) approving the signatures of checks.