WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY

7901 JONESTOWN ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2006, 7 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

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

 

ATTENDANCE

 

        Stephen L. Millard, Chairman

        Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman

        Kenneth L. Tyndale, Secretary/Treasurer

        Robert R. Jones

        William LaDieu

 

PRESENTATION

 

        CRIM Account.  Bruce Williams and Tom Downing from Fulton Bank were present to discuss the viability of establishing CRIM (Cash Reserve Investment Management) accounts for both the loan proceeds in the amount of $2 million as well as the day-to-day operating funds of the Authority, which currently totals approximately $1.5 million, $1 million of which is currently invested in Certificates of Deposit.  Mr. Williams walked the members through Fulton’s CRIM proposal.  Mr. Williams indicated that at least two CRIM accounts would be established, one for the proceeds of the loan, as those funds could not be commingled with operating funds, and the other for the operating funds.  A total of $1 million would be required in order to establish a CRIM relationship.  In response to a question, Mr. Williams indicated that Fulton Bank would waive the annual $400 administrative fee and that the CRIM fees would likely be based on 20 basis points annually. 

        A lengthy discussion followed, during which discussion was held as to whether or not the Certificates of Deposit could be transitioned into a CRIM account prior to their maturity dates.  Mr. Williams stated that he would discuss the matter with Scott McManamon, Vice President of Corporate Banking Division.  Mr. Yost indicated that he had not yet reviewed the documents necessary to establish the CRIM accounts.

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to proceed with establishing CRIM accounts with the amount to be determined following conversation with Mr. McManamon and review and completion of the necessary documentation by the Authority’s Solicitor.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

        Regular Meeting, July 18, 2006.   Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the Minutes of July 18, 2006 as distributed.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

        Operating Expenses.  Mrs. Martin reported that prepaid invoices totaled $19,913.38.  Mrs. Martin also reported that the invoices pending payment totaled $89,117.76.  Mr. Tyndale suggested MSC Corporation would be another retail outlet to purchase those types of supplies currently being purchased at Grainger.

        Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the prepaid invoices in the amount of $19,913.38.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the pending invoices in the amount of $89,117.76.  The motion was unanimously approved, with Mr. Tyndale abstaining on the payment to K.L. Tyndale.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

        Update on Swatara Capacity.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Township Manager Mike Rimer requested a written update to be provided to the Board of Supervisors relate to the Swatara Capacity matter.  Following a brief discussion, Mr. Yost agreed to provide the Board of Supervisors with the requested update.

        Mr. Yost also reminded the members of the discussion held at the July 18, 2006 meeting as to whether or not Lower Paxton had joined in the Motion to Dismiss.  This information was needed in order to determine which municipalities should be required to post the escrow funds for the Board of Arbitrators.  Mr. Yost reported that he checked into the matter and that neither Lower Paxton nor Hummelstown should be required to post any portion of the escrow funds.

 

        Update on Land Development Plan.  Mr. Salisbury reported that the Land Development plan was scheduled for presentation to the Township Planning Commission on Thursday, August 24, 2006, at 7 p.m.

        Mr. Shope called the members’ attention to a letter he prepared to be sent to Rosemary Gary requesting an extension on the Growing Greener Grant.  By consensus, the members agreed that the letter should be sent.  It will be prepared in final form for Mr. Millard’s signature.

 

        Update on Vermitech.  Mr. Shope reported that he still needed to obtain some information regarding the building in order to finalize the layout and submit the Part II Permit Application.  Mr. Shope also reported that it was anticipated that bids would be advertised in September, with bid opening to be held in October.

          

        Update on Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the information on the used Rotamat screen.  Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that the Authority was not ready to move forward with the purchase of the used Rotamat screen.  It was further agreed by consensus that this item should be tabled.

 

        Engineering Services.  Mr. Millard indicated that no further action was necessary on this item.  The Authority will make a decision on a case-by-case basis as to whether or not a project should be bid for engineering services.  It would likely be those projects in excess of $100,000.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

DEP Letter Using Design Flows Instead of 2010.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the letter from Mr. Shope dated August 3, 2006 regarding the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.  Following a brief discussion, Mr. LaDieu volunteered to make some edits to the letter and forward it to Mr. Salisbury.

 

West Hanover Township Pump Station Alarm System.   Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to his memorandum of August 10, 2006 regarding the use of cellular/wireless phone dialers.

Mr. Salisbury reported that the initial cost to install a cellular/wireless phone dialer to the pump stations would be approximately $1,300 per pump station.  The monthly monitoring fee would be between $25-$29.  He stated that his findings would indicate that it was not cost effective to change out the present dialers to cellular/wireless phone dialers.  He also stated that an option might be to have developers install cellular/ wireless phone dialers in pump stations that come on-line in the future.

 

Motion to Release Escrow Accounts for Comfort Inn and the Country Hearth Inn and Suites.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to his memorandum of August 10, 2006 requesting that the Authority release escrow funds that have been held in excess of three years for the Comfort Inn and the Country Hearth Inn and Suites (formerly Ramada Ltd.). 

Mr. Yost stated that he had the Deeds of Dedication for both projects but that they were not satisfactory.  He added that he would follow-up to both owners with a letter and provide them with a generic Deed of Dedication that could be adapted for each project.  Mr. Yost stated that he was not ready to recommend the release of the escrow funds.  By consensus, it was agreed that the funds should continue to be held in escrow.

 

Insurances.  Mr. Tyndale reviewed three quotes for medical insurance.  He also reported that his findings indicated that the Authority should remain in the current insurance program through the Township.  He added that he spoke with Township Manager Mike Rimer, who indicated that the Township would be switching coverage from Capital BlueCross to the plan through the Pennsylvania Chamber.  The Pennsylvania Chamber provides group insurance through Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.  Mr. Tyndale also reported that Mr. Rimer indicated that the Authority should recognize a savings of approximately $8,000 annually by switching medical plans.  Mr.  Salisbury stated that Authority staff was notified of a staff meeting at the Township Office on Thursday, August 24, 2006, at 2:30 p.m.  Mr. Tyndale indicated that he would attend that meeting, if possible.

Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the medical insurance program that would be discussed at the upcoming staff meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

AUTHORITY MEMBER COMMENTS

 

        Bob Jones.  Mr. Jones had no comment.

 

        Bill LaDieu.  Mr. LaDieu had no comment.

 

        Ken Tyndale.  Mr. Tyndale had no comment.

 

        Don Steinmeier.  Mr. Steinmeier had no comment.

 

        Steve Millard.  Mr. Millard stated that the Authority should develop a Personnel Manual.  He also asked Mrs. Martin to provide a listing of duties she would undertake when more of the financial reporting process would be brought in-house.  Mrs. Martin indicated that she would not be able to provide a listing of those duties until she met with Diane Suhr of Diana M. Reed and Associates.  She added that they would meet during September or October in preparation for closure of the finances for the third quarter of 2006.  Mr. Millard also asked that the number of vacation/sick hours be included on paychecks.  Mrs. Martin will add that information to the paychecks through QuickBooks.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

        Mr. Salisbury briefly reviewed the correspondence included with the packets.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE AUTHORITY

 

        No other business came before the Authority.

 

REPORTS

 

        Authority Manager.  Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report.  In addition, Mr. Salisbury reported that he was experiencing roof problems at the treatment plant.  He stated that staff believed the problems were caused by the extreme heat, and that the roof showed signs of buckling in approximately seven (7) different areas.  By consensus, it was agreed that staff should contact Houck to check on the damage and provide an estimate for repair.

 

        Engineer.  Mr. Shope submitted a written report.

 

        Solicitor.  Mr. Yost had no additional report.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

 

                                                                                      Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                      Gail A. Martin,

                                                                                      Recording Secretary