WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY

7901 JONESTOWN ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2007, 6 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

        Chairman Millard called the regular meeting to order at 6:04 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ATTENDANCE

 

        Stephen L. Millard, Chairman

        Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman

        Robert R. Jones

        William LaDieu

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

       

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

        Regular Meeting, July 17, 2007.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the July 17, 2007 Minutes as distributed.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

        Operating Expenses.  Mrs. Martin reported that prepaid invoices totaled $21,188.80.  Mrs. Martin also reported that invoices pending payment totaled $222,464.66. 

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the prepaid invoices in the amount of $21,188.80.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the pending invoices in the amount of $222,464.66.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        The Authority briefly reviewed the arrears listing.  Mr. Yost reported that he received a check in the amount of $1,689.06 to pay the arrears due for 97 South Clover Lane.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

        Update on Vermitech.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to Change Order #1 for Contract #1 (TAH Construction), which was being presented for consideration following discussion at previous Authority meetings.  Change Order #1 would upgrade the roof insulation system from R-17 to R-29.  The amount of the Change Order was $31,107, which changes the value of Contract #1 to $1,610,607.

        Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $31,107.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        Mr. Salisbury also called the members’ attention to a payment estimate in the amount of $14,219.47 for Shannon A. Smith for Contract #2 (HVAC).  The payment estimate was submitted after the cut-off date and the request was that the Authority approve it pending receipt of the appropriately executed payment estimate.  A brief discussion followed, and the majority of the members agreed that it could be considered in this one instance but that future payment estimates would be considered only if they were submitted prior to the cut-off date.

        Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to approve payment of Payment Estimate #2 in the amount of $14,219.47 pending receipt of the appropriately executed Payment Estimate.  The motion was approved 3-1, with Mr. Millard voting nay.

        In response to a question, Mr. Salisbury stated that the project was scheduled for substantial completion by late November.  Mr. Ankers, a representative from Vermitech, was present in the audience and reported that worm breeding efforts have begun at the Authority.

 

        Update on Swatara Capacity.  Mr. Yost reported that the Interrogatories would be filed by the end of August and that hopefully a hearing would take place prior to the end of 2007.

        Mr. Jones stated that it was his opinion that a meeting should be scheduled between the Authority and the Board of Supervisors to discuss the legal fees that have already been paid by the Authority, as well as the expectations of the Township if the Authority was successful in obtaining access to the Swatara capacity.  It was agreed that this item would be added to the agenda for future discussion. 

        Following a brief discussion, it was also agreed that another item for discussion with the Board of Supervisors should be the newly-updated 537 Plan.

 

        Update on Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant.  TABLED.

 

        Evergreen Ridge (Tabled at Township until August 23, 2007).  TABLED.

 

        Repair/Replace Utility Pole on Authority Property.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Mr. Tyndale was working on this item and that a meeting was to be scheduled with PPL in the near future.

 

        Reduction of Escrow Funds/Deed of Dedication for Country Hearth.  Mr. Yost reported that he was still working on a resolution to this item.

 

        Summit Family Restaurant/Generator for Pump Station #1.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Mr. Shope was continuing to work on this item.  By consensus, it was agreed that discussion on this item would continue at the September meeting.

 

        Proposed Changes to Requirements for Developers to Pay to Update GIS Mapping.  Mr. Shope provided recommended changes that could be made to the Sewer Extension Agreement.  Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that this item would be continue at the September meeting.

 

        Proposal to Replace Existing Raw Wastewater Pump Station Control Panel.  Mr. LaDieu spoke with Mike Gillespie at Envirep regarding the proposal in the amount of $39,500.  The proposal could be reduced to between $32,000-$34,000.  Mr. Salisbury also reported that there was a problem with the wiring of the control panel.  A brief discussion followed as to whether staff should prepare bid specs for this project or allow it to remain as is and revisit this project in conjunction with the screen project.  It was agreed by consensus that this project should be addressed along with the installation of a new screen.  In the meantime, Mr. Salisbury was directed to discuss the matter with Lepley Electric, the contractor for the vermicomposting project, to determine if they could relocate the junction boxes out of the wet well.

 

       

Proposals for Sewer Line Flushing.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to his memorandum dated August 3, 2007.  Three quotes were received for sewer line flushing—PA Sewer Authority in the amount of $9,750; Abel Recon, Inc. in the amount of $11,166; and Rehab, Inc. in the amount of $13,530.

        Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to award the project to PA Sewer Authority in the amount of $9,750.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

[Mr. Shope arrived at 7:15 p.m.]

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

        Insurance for Authority.  Mrs. Martin reported that, at Mr. Tyndale’s request, she was contacted by Erik Olsen of Strickler Insurance.  The requested information was furnished to him, and Mr. Olsen was to contact Mr. Rimer at the Township Office to obtain additional information in order to provide a proposal for both the Authority and the Township.

 

        Proposal for Moving Junction Box for Wet Well Above Ground.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the quote from Municipal Maintenance Company in the amount of $22,000.  It was agreed by consensus that this item may be considered as part of the screen project as well.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

        Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the copy of the Growing Greener Grant check, which was received in the amount of $500,000.

 

AUTHORITY MEMBER COMMENTS

 

        Bob Jones.  Mr. Jones asked about the status of the proposed meeting with the Swatara Authority to discuss upgrades to the treatment plant.  Mr. Millard stated that he had not yet been notified of a date for the meeting.

        Mr. Jones stated that he noted quite a bit of ground moving was occurring at the site of the proposed Olde Towne Hanover project.  He expressed some concern as to whether or not the West Hanover Authority should allow the townhouses proposed for that project that would be located in East Hanover Township.  A brief discussion followed, during which Mr. Salisbury referred to an Intermunicipal Agreement that West Hanover had with Jeffrey Bonawitz who owns a home located in Manada Heights just over the East Hanover Township line.  At the members’ request, Mr. Salisbury will include a copy of that agreement in the September packets.

        Mr. Jones also asked about the remaining capacity at the treatment plant.  Mr. Salisbury reported that currently 2,835 EDUs were being used at the treatment plant.  The plant was rated for 3,120 EDUs but it was projected that hydraulically it could accommodate up to 4,000 EDUs.  In response to a question as to when it would be necessary to consider upgrading the plant, Mr. Shope responded saying that it was possible the organic capacity would run out before hydraulic overload would occur.  It was projected that the treatment plant would exceed its capacity within the next 5-7 years.  The members asked Mr. Salisbury to have Aqua- Aerobics update the costs to upgrade the treatment plant to fine bubble diffusers for the September meeting.  Mr. Salisbury will request the cost estimate.

 

        Bill LaDieu.  Mr. LaDieu concurred with earlier discussion that a meeting should be scheduled between the Authority and the Board of Supervisors in early 2008 to discuss the updated 537 Plan and also that the Authority should identify common issues to be discussed.  He also suggested that rather than make copies of the 537 Plan for each member, the Authority’s copy should be circulate among the members.  Mr. Salisbury will begin to circulate the Plan in the near future.

 

        Steve Millard.  Mr. Millard had no comments.

 

        Don Steinmeier.  Mr. Steinmeier had no comments.

 

REPORTS

 

        Authority Manager.  Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report.  In addition, he called the members’ attention to a memorandum dated July 20, 2007 from Jamie Aston reporting damage to a manhole located between the Township Garage and Top Line Freight on Fairville Avenue.  It would appear that the manhole was damaged by a truck trailer.  The lid and bolt-down ring were completely removed from the top of the manhole.  The manhole will have to be repaired at a cost of $1,440.  It was agreed by consensus that the manhole should be repaired and that Top Line Freight should be billed for the damage.

        Mr. Salisbury also called the members’ attention to a letter from Excelsoir Blower Systems dated August 17, 2007 advising that the cost of a new blower would be $11,716.  A brief discussion ensued, during which it was agreed by consensus that staff should take a look at the oxygenation issue prior to replacement of the blower unit.

        Finally, Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to a status report prepared by staff showing a listing of the Deed of Dedication and their status.

 

        Authority Engineer.  Mr. Shope submitted a written report.  In addition, Mr. Shope’s letter dated July 18, 2007 was addressed regarding additional costs of $17,000 for completion of the design and bid phase of the vermicomposting project.  A brief discussion followed.

        Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve an increase to the engineering budget in the amount of $17,000.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

        Authority Solicitor.  Mr. Yost had no further report.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

        Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.  The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

 

                                                                                      Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                      Gail A. Martin

                                                                                      Recording Secretary