WEST HANOVER
TOWNSHIP WATER & SEWER AUTHORITY
7901 JONESTOWN
ROAD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
TUESDAY, APRIL 20,
2004, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Millard called the meeting to order at 7:01 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
Bob Rogers, 7839 Allentown Boulevard. Mr. Rogers owns the Subway shop located at 7839 Allentown Boulevard. He is proposing to open a second location at the Platinum Gym on Jonestown Road, which is under construction. Mr. Rogers appeared before the Authority to ask for permission to install a grease trap under the counter versus an outside interceptor. Mr. Rogers stated that he has a grease trap under the counter at his current location and it appears to be working fine. He added that he performs maintenance on the grease trap on a regular basis. A brief discussion followed.
Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to allow Mr. Rogers to install a
grease trap under the counter at his new location. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to approve the Minutes of March 16, 2004 as distributed. The motion was unanimously approved.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Operating Expenses. Mrs. Martin reported that the Operating Expenses for April 2004 were $153,034.31.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to approve the Operating Expenses for April 2004 in the amount of $153,034.31. The motion was unanimously approved.
Update on Letters to Residents in Arrears. The Authority reviewed the arrears list, as well as the detailed listing that was provided for residents owing in excess of $250. Mr. Yost reported that letters were sent to residents in arrears more than $250 and that he was preparing liens to be either filed and/or updated on seven properties.
Mr. Steinmeier suggested that perhaps a letter should be sent to the legislators to determine if there was anything that could be done to deal with residents who have substantial arrears on their properties.
Waste Management Proposal for Grit/Screenings Box. Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the Service Proposal from Waste Management for a grit/screenings box. The rental charge would be $20/month, the pull charge would be $125/pull, and the tonnage rate would be $42/ton. The materials would be hauled to the Pine Grove Landfill. The Pine Grove Landfill has been approved to accept the grit/screenings.
Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Tyndale, to authorize staff to proceed with
obtaining the grit/screenings box from Waste Management. The motion was unanimously approved.
[Gary Dunsworth arrived at 7:33 p.m.]
Generator Proposal. Mr. Salisbury reported that he obtained prices from Cummins and CAT for a new generator to be installed at the treatment plant. The prices quoted were $53,000 and $60,000 respectively. Installation costs would be approximately $25,000. Both companies would allow approximately $5,000, if the current generator were traded in. Mr. Salisbury advised that this project was not included in the 2004 Budget. A brief discussion followed.
By
consensus, it was agreed that the generator project should be tabled until a
future date.
Access Database. Mr. Shope reported that his staff has begun work on the database and that he expected to have a further report by the July meeting.
Connecting Existing Well to Polymer System. Mr. Salisbury reported that following the March meeting, staff made a temporary connection to determine if the existing well could service the polymer system. It appears to be working. A brief discussion followed during which Mr. Tyndale stated it was his opinion that it would be more cost effective to dig a new well in close proximity to the sludge building. If the existing well were to be connected to the polymer system, it would require a ditch to be dug from the treatment plant to the sludge building, which would mean running pipe approximately 700 feet. In addition, there is a question as to whether or not the pump in the existing well could handle the job.
By
consensus, it was agreed that staff should obtain quotes for drilling a new
well and bring them to the next meeting for consideration.
Update on the Catwalk Project. Mr. Shope reported that a Notice to Proceed was issued and that Gannett Fleming was awaiting shop drawings. He added that substantial completion of the project is scheduled by July 17, 2003.
Swatara Capacity. Mr. Millard stated that this item would be handled in Executive Session immediately following the meeting.
Renew Certificate of Deposit. Mrs. Martin reported that she is awaiting verification from Fulton Bank as to what the interest rate on the CD would be for another year. The CD is scheduled for renewal on April 24. It was suggested that Mrs. Martin contact the Pennsylvania State Bank to determine what interest rate they could offer to the Authority. Mrs. Martin will contact Pennsylvania State Bank.
Grease Trap Resolution. This item was handled under Public Comment.
Wells/Bolton/Slate Ridge Sewer Project. Mr. Millard reported that the Board of Supervisors voted not to proceed with the Wells/Bolton/Slate Ridge sewer project. One of the reasons given for not approving the project was that tapping fees should be grandfathered in for residents. A brief discussion ensued during which it was suggested that the Authority prepare a letter to the Board of Supervisors voicing its concerns about the project not proceeding. The letter would be signed by all members of the Authority.
Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmeier, to authorize the solicitor to prepare
a letter to the Board of Supervisors.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Survey to Sewer Users. Mrs. Martin called the members’ attention to the survey she prepared to be sent out to the sewer users requesting input as to how the Authority can update/upgrade customer service. It was agreed that the survey should be sent out with the sewer billing scheduled to be mailed at the end of April.
Water Usage for Jo-Jo’s Pizza. Mr. Salisbury reported that he received a call from Frank Randazzo regarding his recent sewer bills. Mr. Randazzo advised that he had a water leak but that it had been repaired. He asked to have some monetary relief. A brief discussion followed.
Mr.
Tyndale moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, that staff should respond to Mr. Randazzo
and indicate that an adjustment would be considered if he made an effort to
remedy the problem. The motion was
unanimously approved.
UGI Right-of-Way. UGI has requested permission to install a gas line to Central Dauphin High School and Brookview using the current Millstone sewer right-of-way. Mr. Salisbury added that the Millstone right-of-way was not yet dedicated to the Authority. A brief discussion ensued, during which it was agreed that in the future, the Authority should have an executed Deed of Easement in hand prior to the start of a project.
By
consensus, it was agreed that in this instance UGI could proceed as outlined.
Additional Tapping Fees Due from Businesses. Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to his memorandum of April 15, 2004 showing a list of businesses that have increased water usage since 2001 necessitating consideration of charging additional tapping fees. He indicated that Green Lawn Motel and Pilot Oil had the highest increase, and it was agreed that staff should send a letter to both establishments advising them that additional tapping may be charged in the future. Also, monitoring of other businesses will continue.
Mr. Shope reminded the Authority that Act 57 became law in December 2003. Act 57 establishes how tapping fees are to be computed. The Authority will be required to bring its tapping fees into line by June 2005. Mr. Shope will bring a recommendation to the Authority for the May meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Salisbury called the members’ attention to the memorandum from Mike Rimer advising that the Board of Supervisors would be holding a meeting regarding the Act 537 Plan on Wednesday, April 28, at 6 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bob Rodgers, 7839 Allentown Boulevard. Mr. Rogers stated that it was his opinion that if the Wells/Bolton/Slate Ridge project was reconsidered, the residents involved in the project should be required to pay the current tapping fees.
AUTHORITY MEMBER COMMENTS
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones used Michael Geppert’s commercial establishment as an example to discuss the amount of tapping fees charged for commercial establishments. Mr. Jones added that the Township leased one of Mr. Geppert’s offices but has now vacated the premises, although Mr. Geppert continues to be billed for that office. Mr. Jones stated that it was his opinion that the Authority should offer business some type of adjustment on sewer charges when offices are vacant. He suggested that perhaps the Authority should consider a ready to serve fee similar to what the City of Harrisburg has in place. A brief discussion ensued, during which it was pointed out that it would be difficult to track when businesses moved in and out of office buildings. Mr. Salisbury will speak with Harold Arndt in the Township Office to determine if the Authority receives copies of each and every Certificate of Occupancy. He will report back at a future meeting.
Ken Tyndale. Mr. Tyndale had no comments.
Gary Dunsworth. Mr. Dunsworth had no comments.
Don Steinmeier. Mr. Steinmeier had no comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
REPORTS
Manager. Mr. Salisbury submitted a written report (a copy is attached to the Minutes).
Engineer. Mr. Shope submitted a written report (a copy is attached to the Minutes).
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had no further report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Jones moved, seconded to Mr. Tyndale, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Recording Secretary