WEST HANOVER
TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
7901 JONESTOWN
ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
TUESDAY, JULY 15,
2003, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Millard called the regular meeting to order at 7 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Stephen L. Millard, Chairman
Donald L. Steinmeier, Vice Chairman
Robert R. Jones, Secretary/Treasurer
Gary Dunsworth
Kenneth L. Tyndale
Neil Patel, 7100 Allentown Boulevard. Mr. Patel was present to discuss his letter to the Authority in June 2003, which requested some relief from sewer charges due to a water leak at the L&M Motel. Mr. Salisbury referred the members’ attention to his memorandum dated July 10, 2003, which outlined water usage for the L&M Motel from January through June 2003. A brief discussion ensued.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to accept Mr. Salisbury’s recommendation and grant a $111.20 reduction in sewer charges for the L&M Motel. The motion was unanimously approved.
June 17, 2003, Regular Meeting. Mr. Steinmeier moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the June 17, 2003 Minutes as distributed. The motion was unanimously approved.
Operating Expenses. Mrs. Martin reported that the total operating expenses for July 2003 were $85,997.75. Mr. Tyndale raised a question as to whether or not there should be a separate accounting for the engineering fees paid on behalf of the Authority and those paid on behalf of the developers. Developers’ expenses are reimbursed to the Authority via their escrow accounts and/or direct billing for engineering expenses. After a brief discussion, Mrs. Martin agreed to discuss the matter with the Authority’s accountant, Diana Reed. Mrs. Martin will report back to the Authority.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Dunsworth, to approve the operating expenses in the amount of $85,997.75. The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. Tyndale abstaining.
Update on Letters to Residents in Arrears. Mr. Yost sent letters to each person on the arrears list, along with a copy of Resolution 2003-A-4, on June 17, 2003. In response to the letters, a total of $5,306.47 was collected. In addition, the Authority received a check in the amount of $21,761.29 as payment in full for outstanding charges owed by N&G Motel.
A brief discussion ensued relative to the arrears amount that should trigger a lien being placed against a property. By consensus, it was agreed that liens should be placed against properties when the arrears amount reached $300, which represents one year of sewer service charges. Mr. Yost will place the liens as necessary.
Five-Year Financial Plan. Mr. Shope reported that the five-year financial plan was in process and would be ready for the Authority’s September meeting.
Screen/Silo Closeout. Mr. Salisbury referred the members’ attention to the letter from USFilter dated July 7, 2003, which stated that a warranty certificate was being prepared. Mr. Salisbury reported that the warranty certificate was not yet in hand; however, when it was received, the final payment for the screen would be released.
Billing Update. Mrs. Martin reported that she was continuing to test the new billing program and was hoping to issue the September bills using it.
Update on Sandy Hollow Road Project. Mr. Salisbury reported that the project was nearing completion. A memorandum was sent to Township Manager Mike Rimer on July 3 requesting that he send out 60-day connection letters to the property owners affected by the project. Mr. Rimer advised that the letters would be sent out the week of July 14. In addition, Mr. Salisbury reported that 21 Sewer Connection Permits were issued, and three properties have been connected.
Proposal for Review and Update for Sewer Extension Construction Manual. Mr. Shope reported that the construction manual was with the printer and should be delivered to the Authority Office in the near future.
West Hanover Associates. Mr. Jones reported that he spoke with Bob Kalbach, the son of one of the partners. Mr. Jones offered a total of $104,000 as payment in full for the agreement between the Authority and West Hanover Associates. Mr. Kalbach stated that the amount offered was not acceptable; however, he requested a meeting to negotiate the matter. A brief discussion ensued. By consensus, it was agreed that Mr. Jones should meet with Mr. Kalbach in an effort to ascertain the amount West Hanover Associates would consider in order to close out the agreement.
Short Street Feasibility Study. Mr. Hoffman, the owner of a vacant lot on Short Street, was present for this discussion. Mr. Shope called the members’ attention to his report dated July 15 wherein he provided two alternatives for extending the gravity sewer on Short Street, as well as preliminary estimates for both alternatives. Alternative 1 would involve constructing a force main discharge to Sagewicke at a cost of approximately $128,300. Alternative 2 would involve constructing a force main discharge to MH P-230 at a cost of approximately $133,400. The preliminary costs include approximately $27,000 for engineering and project administration plus a contingency of 10 percent. The cost for Alternative 2 would be slightly higher because the force main would be longer and there would be an added cost for paving. A brief discussion ensued, which involved the possibility of constructing a low pressure system on Short Street with each of the six homes affected having individual grinder pumps. The grinder pumps would be purchased and maintained by the homeowners. Mr. Shope indicated that the cost for that possibility would be considerably less than the figures provided for Alternative 1 and Alternative 2. Mr. Millard stated that a resolution was in place that required the Authority to receive authorization from the Board of Supervisors prior to beginning any new projects.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to request approval from the Board of Supervisors to proceed with the Short Street project. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to authorize Gannett Fleming to prepare a cost estimate to construct a low pressure system for Short Street. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2003-A-5. TABLED.
Alternate Voting Delegate for PMAA Convention. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to appoint Bob Jones as the alternate voting delegate. The motion was unanimously approved.
Billing Software Examples. Mrs. Martin called the members’ attention to the samples provided of the current sewer bill as well as the proposed bill to be used with the new billing system.
Blower System. Mr. Salisbury reported that he was experiencing problems with the blower system at the treatment plant. He reviewed the replacement cost estimate from Excelsior Blowers in the amount of $3,048 for the digester blower.
No questions were raised relative to the correspondence included in the packets.
No public comment was offered.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones had no comments.
Gary Dunsworth. Mr. Dunsworth had no comments.
Ken Tyndale. Mr. Tyndale had no comments.
Don Steinmeier. Mr. Steinmeier had no comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
No other business was brought before the Authority.
Manager. Mr. Salisbury provided a written report (a copy of which is attached to the Minutes).
Engineer. Mr. Shope and Mr. Wendle provided written report (copies of which are attached to the Minutes).
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had no additional report.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Gail A. Martin,
Recording Secretary