WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY

7901 JONESTOWN ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2008, 6 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

        Chairman Millard called the regular meeting to order at 6 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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

        William Keane, 100 Fairville Avenue.  Mr. Keane appeared before the Authority to voice his concern regarding the number of residents who are in arrears with their monthly sewer charges, which totaled over $30,000 as of March 1.  He stated that it was not fair to those residents who pay their bills in a timely manner.  He encouraged the Authority to aggressively begin to collect the amounts due.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

        Regular Meeting, February 19, 2008.  On page 5, under “Authority Member Comments,” second paragraph, should be changed to read: “Mr. Jones had no comments.”

        Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the February 19, 2008 as amended.  The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. Tyndale abstaining as he was not present at that meeting.

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

        Operating Expenses.  Mrs. Martin reported that prepaid invoices totaled $20,942.47.  Mrs. Martin also reported that the invoices pending payment totaled $107,585.07.

        Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. LaDieu, to approve the prepaid invoices in the amount of $20,942.47.  The motion was unanimously approved.

        Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the pending invoices in the amount of $107,585.07.  The motion was unanimously approved, with Mr. Tyndale abstaining on the payment to K.L. Tyndale.

        In addition, the arrears report was reviewed briefly.  Mr. Yost stated that letters were sent to those residents in arrears more than $800.  Mrs. Yost received payment in the amount of $909 from one of the residents.  Mrs. Martin reported that two residents had contacted the Authority Office following receipt of their letters from Mr. Yost.  She also reported that letters from the Authority Office would be sent in the near future to residents in arrears less than $800.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

        Update on Vermitech.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Vermitech’s contractors were working on the worm beds and that two beds should be up and running by March 21. 

        Mr. Millard stated that after three months there were still problems with the heating system.  He added that he would like to see the problem resolved shortly.  Mr. Shope reported that staff at Gannett Fleming was working to resolve the matter.

 

        Update on Swatara Capacity.  Mr. Millard provided a short report on the status of negotiations to utilize the Swatara capacity.  He stated that he was awaiting figures from CET as to what cost the Authority would have to incur in order to use the joint use interceptor.

        Mr. Salisbury called the Authority’s attention to the letter from Bill Hawke, Chairman of the Lower Paxton Board of Supervisors, to the Swatara Authority regarding upgrades at the Swatara plant.  In the letter, Mr. Hawke asked the Swatara Authority to consider other methods for sludge processing than the one proposed due to the cost.  A brief discussion followed.

        Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to have the Authority forward a letter to the Swatara Authority supporting Mr. Hawke’s request.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

        Update on Influent Screen at the Treatment Plant.  Mr. Shope reported that Gannett Fleming staff was working on this item and that he expected to have a proposal in approximately two months.

 

        Reduction of Escrow Funds/Deed of Dedication for Country Hearth.  Mr. Yost reported that he had spent considerable time on this matter over the past month and that he was working to resolve the issues involved with the Deed of Dedication for the Country Hearth as well as the others that are still outstanding. 

 

        Sludge Press Solids Handling Pump.  TABLED.

 

        Tapping Fee Update.  Mr. Shope stated that he would compute the new tapping fee after the final cost of the vericomposting project was determined.

 

        Capital Improvement Subcommittee Update/Annual Report.  Mr. Salisbury reported that he was working on a schedule for proposed capital improvements.  He also called the members’ attention to the Annual Report regarding hiring another person at the treatment plant to run the vermicomposting program.  Following a brief discussion, the Authority directed Mr. Salisbury to prepare a position description and bring it back for review.  Mr. Tyndale stated that he has used Aerotech Manpower to secure a temporary employee, who he could then hire permanently if that person worked out.  He suggested that the Authority might want to explore that possibility.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Grinder Pump Policy.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the proposed policy included in the packet.  Following a brief description, the Authority directed Mr. Salisbury to have the policy prepared as a resolution for consideration at the April meeting.  The resolution should include a list of grinder pumps that have been approved by the Authority for installation, as well as the name of the companies approved for start-up.

 

Approval of Millstone – Phase III.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to his memorandum dated March 5, 2008.  Mr. Salisbury reported that this plan was reviewed and approved by the Authority’s engineer and was now ready for approval by the Authority.

Mr. LaDieu moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the final sanitary sewer plan for the Millstone Phase III project contingent upon the completion of the following outstanding items:

·       A cost estimate for construction of the sanitary sewer line must be submitted for review by the Authority’s engineer.

·       Following approval of the cost estimate, security must be posted within ten (10) days of the date of the approval letter.

·       A Sewer Extension Agreement must be executed.

·       Shop drawings detailing the materials to be used in the construction of the gravity sewer and sanitary manholes must be submitted to the Authority for review by the Authority’s engineer.

The motion was unanimously approved.

        Mr. Salisbury added that there was some question as to whether or not laterals had been installed for Lots 66 and 74.  He stated that when the approval letter was sent, the developer would be asked to verify whether or not the laterals have been or need to be installed.

 

Discuss COG Details of Representation and Lawsuit.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the letter from Hawke McKeon & Sniscak regarding the Chesapeake Bay litigation.  Mr. Yost reported that he reviewed the letter and that it appears to him as through the attorney representing COG would not be billing municipalities directly but that the cost of representation would be distributed among all of the participants.

 

Arondale.  Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to a copy of a letter from Gannett Fleming regarding the Arondale project.  It has been suggested that a copy of the revised Arondale plan should probably be submitted to Lower Paxton since it is the Authority’s intention to have Arondale use the Swatara capacity.  Mr. Salisbury also reported that several laterals have been connected.  Since it appeared likely that some of the homes would be ready to discharge prior to completion of negotiations on the Swatara capacity, a lengthy discussion followed during which possibilities for handling the waste were explored.  It was agreed that Mr. Salisbury should discuss possible installation of a holding tank until such time as the sewer capacity issue was resolved.  Mr. Salisbury will discuss the matter with Township Manager Mike Rimer.  He stated that he would also contact Mr. Yingst and request that a copy of the plan be submitted to Lower Paxton Township for review.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

        No public comment was offered at this time.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

        Mr. Millard briefly reviewed the correspondence included in the packets.

          

AUTHORITY MEMBER COMMENTS

 

        Bob Jones.  Mr. Jones had no comments.

 

        Bill LaDieu.  Mr. LaDieu had no comments.

 

        Ken Tyndale.  Mr. Tyndale had no comments.

 

        Don Steinmeier.  Mr. Steinmeier commented on the continuing Chesapeake Bay Initiative.

 

        Steve Millard.  Mr. Millard reported that Mr. Rodemoyer had done a fine job on the kitchenette he constructed at the treatment plant.  In addition, Mr. Millard reported that Mrs. Martin had reviewed the 2007 finances with staff at Diana Reed’s office in preparation for the upcoming audit.

 

REPORTS

 

        Authority Manager.  Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report.  Mr. Salisbury reported that Jamie Aston’s father-in-law had passed away on March 17.  By consensus, the Authority agreed to have flowers sent to Jamie.

 

        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 7:40 p.m.

 

                                                                                 Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                 Gail A. Martin

                                                                                 Recording Secretary