WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
7901 JONESTOWN ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA
17112
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2001, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Young called the regular meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., followed by a moment of silence for those involved in the September 11 terrorist attacks and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Henry H. Young, Chairman
Gloria J. Zimmerman, Treasurer
Stephen L. Millard
There were no public comments offered.
Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the Minutes of October 16, 2001. The motion was unanimously approved.
Operating Expenses. Mr. Young said that operating expenses for November totaled $83,883.10. Mr. Young said that Mr. Deaven again saved the Authority approximately $2,000 when he lent his loader for the sludge removal.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve the operating expenses. The motion was unanimously approved.
Update on Fox Mill Road. Mr. Young said that one bid was received for the Fox Mill Road project and was rejected because it was out of line. The Authority’s engineer estimated the project at approximately $47,000 and a bid was received for $67,000. Mrs. Tupper said she contacted several contractors and was working on the possibility of having different contractors to different portions of the project. She requested that the Authority’s solicitor offer his opinion as to whether or not the project could be handled in the proposed manner or whether the entire project has to be rebid.
Sandy Hollow Road. Mr. Millard asked about the status of the Sandy Hollow Road project. Mr. Young said that he hoped the project would come to fruition in the near future. An agreement was drafted and that the three developers were expected to sign it shortly.
Resolution 2001-A-4. Mr. Millard raised a question about Resolution 2001-A-4 and asked if it would be possible to discuss the matter in executive session. [The Authority recessed for an executive session from 7:45 – 7:55 p.m.]
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to adopt Resolution 2001-A-4. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2001-A-5. Mr. Millard said he reviewed Resolution 2001-A-5 and that he hoped Mr. Young did not propose to do what was stated in the resolution.
Mr. Young asked Mrs. Martin to read the resolution aloud for the benefit of those present. The resolution called for the reduction of the monthly sewer rate from $30 to $25 per month. Mr. Young said that he believed a reduction should be given to the residents because many of them had been on the system since its inception and that they had paid the high rates. He said he believed they should benefit from a reduction since the finances of the Authority continued to be strong.
Mr. Millard referred to the proposed 2002 budget that had been included in the packet. He said that he did not understand how Mr. Young could propose a reduction when the budget showed that almost $786,000 of the surplus would be used in 2002 to balance the budget. He also referred to a $480,000 expenditure shown in the 2002 budget. He said, at that rate, most of the surplus would be used in just one year. Mr. Young explained that the $786,000 shown in the budget represented an approximately balance in the operations account of $368,000 that would be carried over from 2001 to 2002, as well as moving $400,000 of the $1.4 million that was currently invested into the operating account. He said that the transfer of $400,000 would cover the one-time cost of the influent screen and the lime silo at the treatment plant. Mr. Young said that $1 million would be reinvested and that there were no plans for using any of those funds in the near future. Mr. Young said that in fact the 2002 budget showed a surplus, even with the reduced rates.
Mr. Millard said he still did not agree with the proposed reduction because he was concerned that the surplus would be expended over the next several years. He added that frankly he did not want to have to be the one to vote to raise the monthly fee in the future.
Mr. Young explained that the proposed budget called for 60 EDUs in 2002, but suggested that the figure was conservative and that it was likely many more EDUs would be realized. In addition, Mr. Young said that as new customers were added to the system, the surplus would continue to grow. Mrs. Zimmerman said that the proposed reduction was for domestic establishments only and that commercial rates would remain the same. Mr. Millard restated his objection to the reduction.
Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Young, to adopt Resolution 2001-A-5. The motion failed on a 2-1 vote, with Mr. Millard voting nay.
Resolution 2001-A-6. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to adopt Resolution 2001-A-6. The motion was unanimously approved.
Approve Purchase of New Vehicle. Mr. Young said the Authority wished to purchase a 2002 Dodge Dakota truck through the Piggyback Program for approximately $15,000.
Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the purchase of a 2002 Dodge Dakota truck. The motion was unanimously approved.
2002 Budget. Mr. Millard said that he did not believe the Authority would be in a position to approve the 2002 budget in November because the income was computed based on the lower monthly rates. By consensus, it was agreed to defer the 2002 budget to the December meeting.
Donald Steinmeier, 11 North Fairville Avenue. Mr. Steinmeier said he thought that Resolution 2001-A-4 should have been read prior to being voted upon. Mrs. Martin read the resolution aloud for the benefit of the public.
Mr. Steinmeier also asked about the status of the Sandy Hollow Road project. Mr. Young referred to the earlier report that was given saying that the project was close to fruition and that it was expected that the three developers would sign an agreement in the near future.
Mark Salisbury, Wastewater Treatment Superintendent. Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report (a copy of which is attached to the Minutes).
Mr. Millard said he was concerned that the pump station at Sandy Hollow and Manor Drive would reach maximum capacity shortly and suggested that some of the capacity be reserved for the residents on Wells Drive, Slate Ridge Road, and Bolton Drive in order to hold the cost down when those residents were required to connect. He said that it involved 20-30 homes. He also said that he believed that the public sewer should be extended to include those homes on Chestnut and Walnut near the fire company. Mr. Long said that no one could be denied service if capacity was available in any pump station.
Karen Tupper, Engineer. Mrs. Tupper submitted a written report (a copy of which is attached to the Minutes).
Robert Long, Solicitor. Mr. Long had no report.
Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Gail A. Martin,
Recording Secretary