WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
7901 JONESTOWN
ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER
16, 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
Anthony Nestico, Esq. Mr. Nestico was present representing Rustrum Realty, the developer for Chestnut Ridge. Mr. Nestico stated that he was present to update the Authority members on what had occurred since the August 19, 2003 meeting.
Mr. Nestico said that he had spoken with Dennis Shatto, the solicitor for the Central Dauphin School Board, who had advised him that approximately 20 of the 44 acres of the Watson property condemned by the school district had been returned to the owner. Mr. Shatto also advised him that the school district planned to maintain a 25-foot section along the south edge of the property in the event a right-of-way would be required in the future for installation of utilities, etc.
Mr. Nestico also spoke with Greg Reed, the attorney for Mr. Watson, who informed him that Mr. Watson would not consider granting an easement to Rustrum Realty. In light of that development, Mr. Nestico asked if the Authority would consider condemnation of a portion of Mr. Watson’s property in order to obtain an easement so that installation of the sewer system could proceed as originally planned. Mr. Nestico advised the Authority that S&A Homes and the school district indicated their willingness to grant the required easements on their properties so that Rustrum could proceed. He also advised that the developers of Chestnut Ridge were gathering bids for the installation of a pump station to serve their own development and that the bid would be awarded in the near future. He indicated that if Rustrum installed its own pump station they would no longer be willing to participate in the developer’s agreement with S&A Homes and Yingst Homes which enabled installation of the public sewer system on Sandy Hollow Road, Terrann Drive, and Hollow Drive. A brief discussion followed.
Mr. Dunsworth moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to direct the Authority’s solicitor to contact Greg Reed to discuss the Watson property. The motion was unanimously approved.
August 19, 2003, Regular Meeting. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the August 19, 2003 Minutes. The motion was unanimously approved.
Operating Expenses. Mrs. Martin reported that the total operating expenses for September 2003 were $100,824.88.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Dunsworth, to approve the operating expenses in the amount of $100,824.88. The motion was unanimously approved.
Update on Letters to Residents in Arrears. Mr. Yost indicated that he would be sending letters in the near future to the residents who owed $300 or more in arrears.
Five-Year Financial Plan. Mr. Shope distributed the proposed Five-Year Financial Plan to the Authority members. After a brief review, it was agreed by consensus that the Authority members should review the information and it would be discussed at the October meeting.
Billing Update. Mrs. Martin reported that the testing on the new billing system was continuing and that several problems had been identified. She projected that the October sewer bills would be printed using the new system.
Update on Sandy Hollow Road Project. Mr. Salisbury referred the members to Mr. Wendle’s report dated September 11, 2003 (a copy of which is attached to the Minutes). Mr. Salisbury also reported that the 60-day connection period for properties involved in the first phase of the project expired on September 12, 2003. He indicated that 11 residents had obtained Sewer Connection Permits but had not yet connected their properties and that two residents had not yet secured Sewer Connection Permits. Mr. Salisbury will forward the list of persons not connected to the Township Manager, as violations of the connection ordinance would have to be enforced by the Board of Supervisors.
Update on Sewer Extension Construction Manual Project. Mr. Salisbury provided the members with copies of the recently completed Sewer Extension Manual. He indicated that the manuals would be sold at a cost of $30 each. By consensus, the members agreed to review the manual and that action to approve the manual would be taken at the October meeting.
West Hanover Associates. Mr. Salisbury referred the members to the memorandum provided in their packets, which outlined the amount due to West Hanover Associates. The total due to West Hanover Associates as part of their agreement with the Authority is $87,270.20, less a 5 percent administrative cost retained by the Authority, or a net amount of $82,906.73. In addition, in the case of the agreement between the Authority and the contractors involved in the Sandy Hollow Road/Terrann Drive/Hollow Drive project, a total of $85,000 is due as of September 12, 2003. Mr. Salisbury advised that staff was looking for direction from the Authority on how to handle the distribution of reimbursement monies. A brief discussion followed.
Mr. Dunsworth moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to open a
Fulton Fund account to hold the monies due to developers with payouts by the 15th
of the month following the end of each quarter. Payments would be due on January 15, April 15, July 15, and
October 15 of each year until all amounts due have been paid.
A lengthy discussion ensued, during which it was pointed out that the Authority in place from 1998 to 2002 declared the agreement between West Hanover Associates and the Authority to be null and void because the agreement was not been approved by Pennvest and DEP. When the present Authority was appointed in 2002, the action of the previous Authority was rescinded and the agreement was reinstated. Mr. Millard said he believed that payments to West Hanover Associates should be made in accordance with the agreement that was reinstated. Another lengthy discussion took place, at the end of which Mr. Jones asked that staff prepare a chronological outline of the agreement between West Hanover Associates and the Authority outlining conditions, payments, etc., so that all of the Authority members could have a better understanding of the matter.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to table the earlier motion until a future meeting. The motion was approved 4-1, with Mr. Millard voting nay.
Short Street Feasibility Study. Mr. Salisbury referred the members to a letter dated September 16, 2003 from Township Manager Michael Rimer advising that the Board of Supervisors voted at their meeting on September 15, 2003 not to recommend that the public sewer be extended to serve the residents on Short Street who were not already served by the public sewer. Staff was directed to write a letter to Mr. Hoffman, the owner of a vacant lot on Short Street, advising him of the Township’s decision.
Accessibility to Mixer Motors. Mr. Shope distributed a proposal for engineering services to prepare bid documents and advertise for construction of catwalks across both digesters at the treatment plant. The engineering costs are projected not to exceed $14,300.
Mr. Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to accept Gannett Fleming’s proposal and proceed with the project. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2003-A-5. This item was tabled until the October meeting.
Discussion Regarding Placement of Private Force Main in a Public Right-of-Way. Mr. Salisbury stated that Dan Snow, a builder, purchased a lot on Fairville Avenue and wanted to provide public sewer service by installing a grinder pump and a private force main in a public right-of-way. Mr. Salisbury referred the members to the map included with the packets showing the proposed project. A brief discussion followed.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to deny access to a public right-of-way in order to install a private force main. The motion was unanimously approved.
Discussion Regarding Reimbursement Monies. This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.
Waste Management Proposal for Grit/Screenings Box. Mr. Salisbury advised that Waste Management was no longer willing to take the remnants from the screen, which included raw waste materials. He referred the members to the proposal from Waste Management, which included the cost of a separate dumpster and hauling costs. Following a brief discussion, the members agreed that Mr. Salisbury should seek proposals from other haulers and bring the information to the October meeting for consideration.
Discussion Regarding Resolution 1997-A-1. Mr. Salisbury referred the members to the copy of Resolution 1997-A-1, which sets sewer charges to begin the 61st day following notification whether or not the property is connected to the sewer. Mr. Millard said that he believed it was not fair for the Authority to charge residents who were not receiving service even though the 60 days had passed. He said that he believed it was up to the Township to enforce connection. Mr. Tyndale pointed out that the practice of charging on the 61st day had been in place for almost seven years. He added that he did not believe it was fair to discontinue the practice now when many residents had already been required to pay. By consensus, it was agreed that charges should continue as outlined in the resolution.
Discussion Regarding Updating Tapping Fees for 2003. Mr. Shope advised that the information on this matter would be presented at the October meeting.
Mr. Salisbury reviewed the correspondence included with the packet.
No public comment was offered.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones asked whether or not the rainfall amount reflected in Mr. Salisbury’s report was accurate. It was determined that 3.35 inches of rainfall in August was accurate.
Gary Dunsworth. Mr. Dunsworth had no comment.
Ken Tyndale. Mr. Tyndale expressed appreciation for the opportunity to attend the PMAA Convention. He said that it was very informative for him.
Don Steinmeier. Mr. Steinmeier had no comment.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard asked if a workshop could be held in an attempt to resolve the West Hanover Associates’ matter. It was agreed that a workshop would be held from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2003. Mrs. Martin will advertise the workshop.
No other business came before the Authority.
Manager. Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report (a copy of which is attached to the Minutes).
Engineer. Mr. Shope distributed a written report (a copy of which is attached to the Minutes). In addition, he distributed the evaluation of the utility water system at the treatment plant for review. Mr. Shope also distributed sample copies of grease trap ordinances, as requested by the Authority at the August 19 meeting.
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had no further report.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin,
Recording Secretary