WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY

7901 JONESTOWN ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 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.  Mr. Millard announced that the Authority met in executive session to discuss personnel matters.

 

ATTENDANCE

 

        Stephen L. Millard, Chairman

        Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman

        Kenneth L. Tyndale, Secretary/Treasurer

        Robert R. Jones

        William LaDieu

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

        Regular Meeting, September 19, 2006.  Mr. Jones had one correction to the Minutes, on page 2, under New Business.  The first sentence should show that Nick Evanoff rather than George Evanoff provided an estimate to repair the treatment plant roof.

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the Minutes as amended.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

        Operating Expenses.  Mr. Salisbury reported that prepaid invoices totaled $15,732.72.  Mr. Salisbury also reported that the invoices pending payment totaled $134,479.97.

        Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the prepaid invoices in the amount of $15,723.72.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        [Mr. LaDieu arrived at 7:04 p.m.]

        Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the pending invoices in the amount of $134,479.97.  The motion was unanimously approved.

       

OLD BUSINESS

 

        Update on Swatara Capacity.  Mr. Yost reported that he was still awaiting a decision from the arbitration panel on the Motion to Dismiss.

 

        Update on Land Development Plan.  Mr. Millard reported that the Township approved the land development plan.  The request for the ten-year extension to complete the proposed improvements failed.  The five-year limit remains.

 

        Update on Vermitech.  Mr. Shope reported that the Vermitech equipment was shipped and should arrive by the end of November.  A discussion ensued as to how the equipment should be stored until the building was completed.

        Mr. Millard informed the Authority that an improvement guarantee would be required by the Township for the public improvements of the vermicomposting facility.  Mr. Yost stated that this could be accomplished with a Letter of Credit for the approved amount.

       

        Update on Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant.  Mr. Millard stated that he had been contacted to determine if the Authority was still interested in utilizing an IPEC screen.  A brief discussion took place regarding this item.  Mr. Millard stated that he would obtain additional engineering information and bring it to the Authority in the future.  By consensus, it was agreed that Mr. Millard and Mr. LaDieu should work together and bring a recommendation to the Authority.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Treatment Plan Roof Repair/Replacement.  Mr. Salisbury reported that he received an estimate for a metal roof, which would be three times the cost of a traditional shingle roof.  A brief discussion followed, during which it was agreed that the shingles on the roof weren’t the problem but rather the ongoing issue was with the plywood.  Mr. Tyndale agreed to meet with staff to ascertain what could be done to correct the problem.

 

Five-Year Financial Plan.  Mr. Salisbury asked the members if they wanted to have the Five-Year Financial Plan updated.  The engineer recommended that the plan should be updated every two to three years, especially since the Authority is currently undertaking a major capital improvement project and is projecting the possibility of doing other projects in the future.

Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to authorize Gannett Fleming to update the Five-Year Financial Plan at a cost not to exceed $3,000.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Intermittent Stream Restoration.  Mr. Salisbury reported that he is awaiting a proposal from HRG as to the cost of this project.

 

2007 Budget.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the to the draft budget included with the packets.  Following a brief review of the budget, a lengthy discussion ensued relative to monthly sewer rates, tapping fees, and inspection fees.  Mr. LaDieu expressed his belief that the Authority should increase rates incrementally each year rather than holding rates and having to make a substantial increase all at one time.

Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to increase the monthly sewer rate to $31 per EDU and $5.74 per 1,000 gallons for commercial customers charged by water usage.  The motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to raise the tapping fee to $2,870 and the collection fee to $140.  The motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to raise the inspection rate to $65/hour.  The motion was approved 4-1, with Mr. Millard voting nay because he believes that the Authority should use an outside inspector for the installation of main lines.

 

Summit Family Restaurant.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the letter from Gannett Fleming regarding this project.  A brief discussion followed.

Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to request a proportional contribution towards the cost of an emergency generator for Pump Station #1.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

   Roger Hoffman Property.  The Authority reviewed Mr. Shope’s letter.  By consensus, the Authority agreed it could not approve the plan, as the easement issues have not been resolved.

 

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 had no comment.

 

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. 

 

        Engineer.  Mr. Shope submitted a written report.

 

        Solicitor.  Mr. Yost reported that Vermitech has asked that any future invoices be paid to Vermitech USA rather than Vermitech Australia.  He will research the request to determine whether or not it might be a contract issue.

 


ADJOURNMENT

 

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

                                                                                 Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                 Mark A. Salisbury

                                                                                 Assistant Secretary/Treasurer