WEST HANOVER
TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
7901 JONESTOWN
ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
25, 2003, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Millard called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Millard announced that an Executive Session would be held following the meeting.
Stephen L. Millard, Chairman
Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman
Robert R. Jones, Secretary/Treasurer
Kenneth L. Tyndale
Richard E. Yingst, Jr.
Before opening the floor for public comment, Mr. Millard addressed the audience stating that the Authority ran its meetings using Roberts Rules of Order.
Mr. Millard stated that when some of the residents from Terrann Drive attended a recent Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss the proposed $3,725 tapping and connection fees, they were referred to the Water and Sewer Authority because it is the Authority that sets the tapping and connection fees in accordance with the Authorities Act of 1945.
Mr. Millard provided a brief history of the Terrann Drive project and stated that originally the proposal was to have the residents pay $9,600 toward construction of the sewer lines in addition to the tapping and connection fees. He added that earlier statements made by supervisors were focused on eliminating the $9,600. Mr. Millard also provided a brief history on tapping fees and rates since the inception of the public sewer.
He then opened the floor for public comment.
Carl Haederer, 7025 Terrann Drive. Mr. Haederer stated that the residents were present to request a fair price for connecting to the public sewer based upon information recorded in the minutes from the Board of Supervisors, as well as articles that appeared in the Township Newsletter. He added that the residents involved in the current project should be treated the same as those on Fox Mill Road and not be required to pay any more than $2,600, which was the fee paid by residents affected by the original project. He reiterated that the supervisors had promised the residents that they would not pay any more than the residents in Skyline View who hooked up in 1996.
Mr. Millard responded to Mr. Haederer stating that the resolution governing the tapping and connection fees no longer contained a grandfathering clause and that it was his opinion that the residents involved in the Sandy Hollow Road project should pay the same as anyone else when obtaining a Sewer Connection Permit in 2003.
A question was raised from the audience as to what the current fees were. Mr. Salisbury stated that the current tapping fee was $3,000, the customer facilities fee was $125, and that the connection fee would be set later in the meeting.
Mr. Haederer reiterated that he believed the Authority should do what was right and that was to allow the residents to pay a total of $2,600.
Gloria Zimmerman, 7805 Bridle Lane. Mrs. Zimmerman stated that the previous Authority added the grandfather clause to the resolution to protect the long-time residents of the Township as development began around them.
Mr. Steinmeier stated that he thought the members should take a look at the Authority’s financial resources to determine whether or not it could absorb some of the cost in order for the residents to pay only $2,600.
Donna Demczak, 7028 Terrann Drive. Ms. Demczak stated that paying the fees involved would be a financial burden for many of the residents and that the residents were asking the Authority to make a decision regarding the tapping fees.
Maryann Yohn, 325 Piketown Road. Mrs. Yohn asked for clarification on the fees involved. Mr. Salisbury reiterated that the total cost would be $3,725, which would include a $3,000 tapping fee, a $125 customer facilities fee, and a $600 connection fee, if that was the connection fee the Authority approved. He added that the exact amount of the connection fee was in question and would be discussed later in the meeting.
Mr. Tyndale stated that costs have gone up since 1995-1996 and that if the Authority agreed to hold the tapping and connection fees at $2,600, the residents on Terrann should be willing to pay what the residents on the original project paid--$66 a month, then $40 a month, and then $30 a month.
Mr. Shreve, 7005 Terrann Drive. Mr. Shreve stated that the Terrann Drive is one of the oldest developments in the Township and that he did not believe the residents were being treated fairly.
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. Mrs. Carricato stated that the matter was very complicated and that Terrann Drive was not even in the 20-year sewer plan. She added that any promises made were made by the supervisors and not the Authority but encouraged the Authority to resolve the matter fairly.
Andy Gnall, 7102 Sandy Hollow Road. Mr. Gnall stated that it was his understanding that sewer would not be provided for bathrooms below basement level. Mr. Salisbury responded stating that first floor service was guaranteed for the residents but that if someone had a bathroom in the basement, it might be possible to pump it up to the sewer.
Mr. Gnall asked why public water was not being provided to the residents on Terrann Drive. Mr. Yingst responded saying that the West Hanover Township Water and Sewer Authority had nothing to do with public water. Public water service was handled privately through Pennsylvania American Water. He added that in order to have public water extended to Terrann Drive a majority of the residents would have to agree that they wanted it. He stated that only a few had indicated their desire for public water; therefore, it was not feasible for Pennsylvania American Water Company to extend the service.
Mrs. Gooddale, 7004 Sandy Hollow Road. Mrs. Gooddale stated that she met with Mr. Millard in mid-November 2002 and signed an agreement that stated the connection fee would be $500. She also asked when the residents would receive something in writing.
Mr. Millard responded saying that the Township would notify the residents when they could connect to the sewer, probably in June 2003.
January 22, 2003, Reorganization Meeting. Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the January 22, 2003 Minutes as distributed. The motion was approved 3-0, with Mr. Jones and Mr. Yingst abstaining, as they were not present at the meeting.
Operating Expenses. Mrs. Martin stated that the operating expenses totaled $81,770.88. Mr. Steinmeier requested Mrs. Martin to check with Fulton Bank to determine if it was possible to deposit the Authority’s money in an account that would earn more than 1.15%. Mrs. Martin stated that she would contact the bank and report back to the Authority.
A question was raised relative to the bill for Cleveland Brothers in the amount of $4,086.13. Mr. Salisbury explained that the bill covered the repair of a generator, as well as an inspection of the generators at the pump station and the treatment plant.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the operating expenses in the amount of $81,770.88. The motion was unanimously approved.
2003-A-3 (Reserve Capacity). In response to a question, Mr. Yost stated that the Authority should consider setting a standardized fee on the order of $100-$125 which would hold capacity with a two to five year time limit.
Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to adopt Resolution 2003-A-3. The motion was unanimously approved.
Update on Letters to Residents in Arrears. Mr. Yost reported that he recently filed five liens in connection with arrears, including a lien against the property for which the Authority recently received a bankruptcy notice.
2003-A-4 (Legal Fees to Enter/Remove Liens/Judgments). Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Jones to adopt Resolution 2003-A-4. The motion was unanimously approved.
Rhoads and Sinon Billings. Mr. Millard stated this matter would be discussed in the Executive Session.
Five-Year Financial Plan. By consensus, the Authority agreed to have Mr. Shope draw up a proposal to prepare a five-year financial plan. Mr. Shope agreed to do so.
Emergency Generator for Sandy Hollow Road. A brief discussion took place regarding an emergency generator for the Sandy Hollow Road project. By consensus, the Authority agreed that Mr. Salisbury should make the final decision regarding which generator should be purchased.
Screen/Silo Closeout. Mr. Salisbury stated that the contractor did not present the closeout documents for the screen and silo for review and approval. In response to a question from Mr. Steinmeier, Mr. Salisbury responded that $15,000 was being withheld on these projects.
Billing Update. Mrs. Martin reported that a representative from Engle Business installed the new billing program on January 21; however, several issues have been identified for resolution. Testing of the program is continuing.
Connection Fee for Sandy Hollow Road Project. Mr. Salisbury called the Authority’s attention to his memorandum showing that the proposed cost for each lateral was $1,125. A brief discussion followed.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to set the connection fee at $600. The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. Yingst abstaining.
Mr. Jones stated that it was his opinion that the Authority should uphold promises that were made to the residents. A brief discussion ensued regarding the fees that should be paid by the residents involved in the project.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to set the tapping fee at $2,000 and the connection fee at $600 for the Sandy Hollow Road Project and directed the solicitor to draft a resolution that would end any grandfathering provisions effective February 28, 2003. The motion was approved 3-1, with Mr. Millard voting nay and Mr. Yingst abstaining.
Update on Sandy Hollow Road Project. Mr. Salisbury reported that the sewer line has been installed on Hollow Drive, Terrann Drive, and the west end of Sandy Hollow Road.
Emergency Generator for Treatment Plant. Mr. Salisbury reported that Cleveland Brothers’ inspection revealed that the valve is leaking on the generator at the treatment plant. The cost to repair the generator would be approximately $3,000.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to have the repair completed on the CAT generator. The motion was unanimously approved.
Appoint Auditor for 2003 Audit. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Yingst, to appoint Boles, Grove, and Metzger to perform the 2003 audit. The motion was unanimously approved.
West Hanover Associates. Mr. Millard indicated that this matter would be discussed in Executive Session.
Approval of The Meadows at Fort Stewart – Phase I. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve construction of the conveyance system for Phase I of The Meadows at Fort Stewart. The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. Yingst abstaining.
East Hanover Township. Mr. Millard reported that he and Mr. Salisbury met with representatives from East Hanover Township to discuss the possibility of them sending sewage to West Hanover Township. Mr. Millard stated that East Hanover has been experiencing problems with its lagoon system treatment plant and that DEP has set a time frame for a resolution to the problems. Mr. Millard stated that the proposal is for East Hanover to purchase capacity in West Hanover’s treatment plant. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the proposal and also how it could work in conjunction with the Swatara capacity. Mr. Jones stated that he felt it was important to work out the details regarding use of the Swatara capacity before making any commitment to East Hanover.
By consensus, it was agreed that Mr. Tyndale, Mr. Millard, Mr. Salisbury, and Mr. Shope should meet with East Hanover to discuss the proposal further and report back to the Authority at a future meeting.
Brinjac. Mr. Millard stated that this item concerned the Clover Hill development. He further stated that he was concerned that no sewer plan was in place for Clover Hill and that buildings were already built and proposed to be built on the property. A brief discussion ensued wherein Mr. Millard asked for the Authority’s support in making sure that a plan was put in place.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to authorize Mr. Millard to meet with representatives from the Bretz family prior to the next meeting and work out an agreement so that no more land development would occur in Clover Hill until such time as a sewer infrastructure is in place. It was further stipulated that an agreement should be worked out so that any existing buildings would connect to a gravity sewer line when it becomes available. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Salisbury called the Authority’s attention to the letter from U.S. Filter extending the warranty on the screen.
Nancy Burkhart, 7041 Terrann Drive. Mrs. Burkhart offered compliments regarding the demeanor of the contractors working on the Sandy Hollow Road project.
Carl Haederer, 7025 Terrann Drive. Mr. Haederer echoed Mrs. Burkhart’s comments.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones welcomed Mr. Yingst as a new member of the Authority and Dale Shope as the new engineer.
Mr. Jones stated that it was his belief that the Authority should hold a workshop in May 2003 to review the budget.
Richard Yingst. Mr. Yingst had no comments.
Ken Tyndale. Mr. Tyndale echoed Mr. Jones’ comments.
Don Steinmeier. Mr. Steinmeier also echoed Mr. Jones’ comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
No other business came before the Authority.
Manager. Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report (a copy is attached to the Minutes). Mr. Salisbury added that there were several matters on which he wished to consult with Mr. Shope, one being the replacement of the generator at the treatment plant. It may be possible to replace the generator at the treatment plant and use that generator at one of the pump stations.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to authorize an engineering evaluation on the generator and come back to the Authority with proposals. The motion was unanimously approved.
Engineer. Mr. Wendle submitted a written report (a copy is attached to the Minutes). Mr. Shope had no report, as this was his first meeting as the Authority’s engineer.
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had no further report.
Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin,
Recording Secretary