WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY

7901 JONESTOWN ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2006, 7 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

        Chairman Millard called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ATTENDANCE

 

        Stephen L. Millard, Chairman

        Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman

        Kenneth L. Tyndale, Secretary/Treasurer

        William LaDieu

        Robert R. Jones

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

        Regular Meeting, January 24, 2006.  Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the Minutes of the January 24, 2006 regular meeting as distributed.  The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. LaDieu abstaining, as he was not present at the meeting.

 

        Workshop Meeting, February 7, 2006.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the Minutes of the February 7, 2006 workshop meeting as distributed.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

        Operating Expenses.  Mrs. Martin reported that prepaid invoices totaled $21,625.98.  She also reported that the invoices pending payment totaled $68,123.45.

        Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the prepaid invoices in the amount of $21,625.98.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the pending invoices in the amount of $68,123.45.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        The members briefly reviewed the arrears report as of February 1, 2006, as well as the bankruptcy notices received by the Authority since its last meeting in January.  Mr. Yost agreed to review the arrears report and issue letters to those still in arrears.  He will also file any Proof of Claims required by the bankruptcy matters.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

        Update on Vermitech.  Mr. Shope called the members’ attention to the Land Development plan for the Vermitech project, as well as the influent screen project.  During a brief review some concern was raised regarding possible stormwater management issues.

        Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to proceed with scheduling a pre-application meeting with the Township engineer and staff.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        Mr. Millard and Mr. LaDieu expressed an interest in attending the meeting.  They will be notified when the date and time has been set.

        Mr. Tyndale reported that he received a quote from World Buildings for a building to house the Vermitech project.  World Buildings would provide only the wall materials for the building at a cost of $101,000.  That price included doors as well as the prints and plans to construct the walls.  In addition, 151 cubic yards of concrete would have to be laid at a cost of approximately $20,000 for the concrete a roof system would have to be designed, as well as electric and plumbing.  There would also be the labor to construct the building.  Mr. Tyndale estimated that the completed building could run between $500,000-$600,000.

        A brief discussion followed, during which the members directed Mr. Shope to come to the March meeting with costs for conventional construction to include a steel building with intermittent columns as well as a steel building with a clear span.  It was also proposed that a concrete knee wall measuring six feet in height should be figured into the cost.

        Mr. Yost reported that he reviewed the final draft of the Letter of Credit and expected that it should be ready for signature during the week of February 27, 2006.

 

        Update on Swatara Capacity.  Mr. Yost reported that Production of Documents/ Interrogatories have been completed and should be served in the next week or so.

 

        Update on Millstone Sanitary Sewer Easement.  Mr. Yost reported that he spoke with Carl Bankert of S&A Homes, as well as their attorney, to discuss the possibility of arranging an on-site meeting in order to resolve the issues still pending on the easement so that the plan could be recorded and construction could move forward.  Mr. Yost agreed to notify Mr. Millard when the meeting has been scheduled.

 

        Update on Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant.  Mr. Millard reported that staff, as well as several members of the Authority, visited the Derry Township wastewater facility to view their Rotomat screen system. 

        The members also briefly reviewed the proposed Land Development plan as it pertained to the proposed influent screen system.

 

        Chesapeake Bay Initiative – 2010 Flow.  Mr. LaDieu reported that the Commonwealth has appointed steering committees to review the proposed Chesapeake Bay Initiative.  He added that DEP appears to be open for discussion and agreed that the three-year compliance schedule will not work.

        Mr. Shope stated that he did not believe that West Hanover would have a difficult time meeting the required 2010 flow, as they were currently meeting the requirements of DEP.

 

        Update on Wet Well Pumps.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Mike Howard and Bud Bowen had visited the Authority and inspected the pumps.  The impellor/liner will be replaced on one of the pumps.  Mr. Howard did not have explanation as to what has been happening with the pumps.  He indicated to staff that from the reading taken on the pumps, it would almost appear that the output indicates that 1,400 rpm pumps rather than 1,750 rpm pumps were installed, even though the pumps have plates attached verifying they are 1,750 rpm pumps.  Staff will continue to work on this issue.

 

        Update on UCC Testing.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Jamie Aston has passed the examination and is now certified to perform lateral inspections.  Mr. Rodemoyer is also certified to perform inspections.

 

        Update on Treatment Plant Property.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the letter from the Authority to the Township Manager.  Mr. Millard indicated that no further activity has occurred relative to the sale of the Township property surrounding the Authority.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

        Appointment of Accountant.  The Authority briefly reviewed the proposal from Diana M. Reed & Associates.  A suggestion was made that staff and perhaps one or two members of the Authority could meet with Diana Reed to determine if the financial process could be streamlined further in order to hold the line on outside accounting costs.  Mrs. Martin will arrange a meeting with Diana Reed in the near future.

        Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to appoint Diana M. Reed & Associates as the accountant for the Authority.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

        Appointment of Authority Engineer.  Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to appoint Dale Shope and Gannett Fleming as the Authority’s engineer.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

        Resolution 2006-A-3.  Since the inception of the public sewer project, the Authority had provided grinder pumps to those residents whose homes could not obtain first floor service without one.  The proposed resolution proposed a credit on tapping fees in exchange for the residents purchasing a grinder pump of their choice, so long as the Authority approved the specifications of the pump.  A lengthy discussed ensued, following which it was agreed by consensus that the Authority should continue to furnish the grinder pumps for homes requiring one for first floor service.

        Staff was directed to prepare bid specifications and a legal advertisement to obtain sealed bids for five grinder pumps for the upcoming Short Street project.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

AUTHORITY MEMBER COMMENTS

 

        Bob Jones.  Mr. Jones stated that he believed the trip to Derry Township to view their plant was very worthwhile.  He suggested that perhaps once or twice annually members of the Authority should visit a treatment plant in the surrounding area.

        Mr. Jones expressed appreciation to Mr. Shope on a job well done on the annual report of the Authority.

        Mr. Jones also asked if there was any possibility that the Authority meetings could begin at 6 p.m. rather than 7 p.m.  A brief discussion followed, and it was decided that the start time for the meetings should continue to be 7 p.m.

        Mr. Jones also expressed concern regarding the lights in the parking lot.  He indicated that one of the lights was out and that it was difficult to maneuver in the parking lot due to the darkness.  He asked that a letter be sent to the Township regarding the poor lighting and also suggesting that lights be added at the two entrances to the parking lot from Route 22, as that area is also very dark and that it’s easy to miss the entrance.  Staff will prepare a letter for the Chairman’s signature.

 

        Ken Tyndale.  Mr. Tyndale had no comments.

 

        Bill LaDieu.  Mr. LaDieu had no comments.

 

        Don Steinmeier.  Mr. Steinmeier had no comments.

 

        Steve Millard.  Mr. Millard expressed some concern regarding the lack of a standard procedure for inspecting sewer lines.  He indicated that he thought the inspectors should physically measure depth and fall of the sewer lines as they were being constructed.  Mr. LaDieu indicated that he did not believe that the inspector had to physically measure the depth and fall of the lines and that was one of the reasons contractors were required to submit as-built drawings.  He further stated that the inspector should view the construction from time to time to determine if the pipe is being bedded property and the piping is being covered with the appropriate stone, etc.

        By consensus, it was agreed that the inspection process should not be changed at the present time.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

        No specific correspondence was highlighted at this point.

 

REPORTS

 

        Authority Manager.  Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report.

 

        Engineer.  Mr. Shope submitted a written report.

 

        Solicitor.  Mr. Yost reported that he had no further report.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

           Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.  The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

 

                                                                                      Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                      Gail A. Martin,

                                                                                      Recording Secretary