February 18, 2014

 

Call to Order:

President Reynold Wolfe called the meeting to order at 7:05pm

Present:

Authority Members: Reynold Wolfe, Dean Williard, Jackson Wetzel, Joel Wetzel, Jeff Aurand

Employees:  Tammy Osman, Andy Bobb

Solicitor: Tony Michetti

Citizens:  None

Review of Previous Meeting Minutes:

After a review of the previous month’s meeting minutes a motion was made by Jackson and second by Jeff to approve the minutes as presented.

Financial Report and Payment of Listed Bills:

Dean Williard presented financial statements for review by the Authority.  There is a balance in the PLIGIT account of  $521.71 and the balance in the general account of $48,671.64 and a balance in the Northumberland National Bank Savings account of $1,000.51.

After a review of the bills to be paid tonight and the addition of payment to TDS for $120.16 a motion was made to pay the bills as presented and to also pay the additional one.  The motion was made by Dean and second by Jeff.  Dean went over the PPL & Spark Energy comparison and Dean suggests that the Authority go back to PPL  unless  Spark can lock in at .075 cents for  a fixed 3 year rate.

Water System Operator:

Andy informed the Authority of the water main break.  Andy was asked to look into what ‘new generation’ shut off valves would cost (we would need 3).  This was in light of the fact that the water valve was hard to turn shut and open when working on the water main break.

Waste Water Operator:

Andy went over the issues with the grinder pump at the Mulberger’s  property.  The light was on and the pump shorted.  Andy had a spare pump and put it in.  He also had Bryan Carl pump the wet well.  Andy thinks the old pump can be rebuilt or we can look into getting a new pump from Orchard Pumps.  The pump at Mulberger’s property was the original pump.  Andy also informed the members that the control box at Mulberger’s property also needed to be replaced; he may also need to replace breakers and compositors.  Andy is going to look into this further.  Joel is going to drop the old pump off to have it rebuilt.  Andy also got a quote from Wilson Labs of Shamokin on what the costs would be for the labs that are needed.  The cost would be $.10 a month cheaper.  The Authority is going to stay with Seewald for now.  Andy also expressed his concern with the gates at the WWTP.  He said that he is having a difficult time with the one main gate.  Ren suggests that it be changed to a chain and lock and that the gate itself be adjusted so that it works properly.

Solicitor’s Report:

Tony informed the Authority that he needs a signature from Ren or Dean in regards to the Civil Complaint form on the Yocum property.  Dean is going to sign it.  Tony also stated that the previous resolution that he mentioned would not be suitable for Herndon  Borough.

Old  Business:

Dean is going to handle the delinquents and shut offs with Andy.  The only walk thru improvement for  2012 that is still open is the pol cover and Andy is working on that.  The walk thru for 2013 list of improvements are:

A> Put grates on head wall of 18” pipe at well site

B> Brush back road at sides of the read to well #2

C> Clear brush on the inside of the fence

D> Clean the ‘rags’ out of the basis at 1 and 2

Andy and Ren are going to fix the curb stop at the Newman property this is still pending.

New Business:

Ren presented his findings from his discussion with Todd Mace from PA Environmental Solutions in regards to the water main leak in front of the fire house.  Todd reported the leak on Thursday, January 16th, when there was a serious drop in water at the Reservoir.  Andy decided to let things go until Friday, January 17th.  Andy contacted PESI on Friday the 17th to detect the leak: Rural Water was not available at this time to locate the leak.   Andy requested that PESI use the correlator leak detector at the rate of $125.00 per hour.  Todd questioned the use of the correlator because of its expense, Andy said to use it.

Todd then went over some issues thathe had while he was trying to locate the leak.  Todd stated that he did not have access to the water main maps/drawiings.  He stated that Andy’s employee wsa not helpful ni locating the leak.  He stated that there is ‘not enough valves’ .  Ren suggests that Andy look into this.  Todd also stated that there is still a leak at the south end/ball field area; Ren suggests that Andy get in contact with Chris Shutt from PA Rural Water just to be sure.  PA Rural Water is a free service that the Authority is able to use as long as it pays its membership of $350.00 per year.  This type of issue cannot happen again since it cost the Authority almost $8,000.00.  We need to be better prepared for these things.  Andy suggests looking into purchasing the equipment needed to detect leaks.  Andy thinks that will cost 3 or 4 thousand dollars.  Jackson suggests that we contact PA Rural Water and express our concerns since they have been the ones that have come to our aid for all other leaks except for this one.  We are paying them $350.00 a year.  Andy informed the Authority that the cost on his invoice was for overtime labor at $55.00 per hour for his employee since it was a Saturday.  Andy was not able to be there to help with the location of the leak as he was out sick.  Dean explained the U S Postal Service delivered the approximately 50 lost post card billings from the 4th quarter of 2013.  The post cards were postmarked on 1/27/14; post marked Johnstown, PA.  After  Dean’s  discussion with the Herndon Postmaster all efforts to find out why the delay from 9/20/13 to 1/27/14 would be fruitless.  Replacement cards had been sent to the customers in mid October with an extension on the late fee date once it was realized that a large number of post cards had been lost in the mail.

Adjournment:  There being no further business, the public meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.

Respectfully Submitted By:Tammy Osman, Secretary

Herndon Borough - Jackson Township

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