February 26, 2019
Call to Order:
President, Paul Witmer called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.
Present:
Authority Members: Dean Williard, Jeff Aurand, Paul Witmer, John Davis, Paul Witmer, and Brian Lenker
Employees: Tammy Osman, Andy Bobb
Solicitor: None
Citizens: None
Review of Previous Meeting Minutes:
After a review of the previous month’s meeting minutes a motion was made by Jeff and second by Paul to approve the minutes as presented with a minor change of spelling on Strawser.
Communications and Notices: Dean question whether the Authority wanted to spend $200.00 s year for the Pennsylvania Municipal Authority membership. A motion was made by Dean and second was by Brian to pay the membership. All were in favor. Dean wrote a letter to the administrator (Robert Wolfe Jr.) of Mcdevitt’s property, Mcdevitt and Strawser letting them know that a lien would be placed on the property if the water leak was not fixed. The repair has been made.
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 $536.51 and the balance in the general account of $23784.04 and a balance in the Northumberland National Bank Savings account of $1,020.63. A motion was made by Dean and 2nd by Paul to pay the bills as presented along with the addition of payments to Andy Bobb for $1560.00, Bobbs Plumbing and Heating for $3489.81 and Roy Adam for $2662.28.
Water/Wastewater System Operator: Andy informed the Authority that there were water main breaks this month. He thinks these are occurring because of expansion and contraction. The breaks are clean breaks. There is a break located on the shale bank by Jeff Wetzel’s property. Adam’s questioned the payment on the first water main break and stated that they would not start the repairs on the second until payment was received on the first one. Dean questioned about sales tax and Flagger Force and Fairchild Brother rates through Adams. When Meckley’s does a job with Adams for the Authority they bill the Authority directly. On the water break that was fixed on a Monday the emergency rate was paid to Flagger Force since there was not 24 hour notice given that Flagger Force would be needed. Dean requested going forward that plenty of notice be given so the Authority does not incur a higher rate if possible. A leak was located inside Larry Troutman property, and the water was turned off. The tenants of the property are moving out. There was also a leak in the Charles Spade property as the tub spicket was running. When the first water main break occurred the pumps had to be turned off from 10am to 130 pm. The bypass was checked at the reservoir to make sure it was not leaking. Andy still thinks that there is a leak from the Reservior to downtown. He has asked that Chris Shutt from PRWA come back and check again. Originally it was thought that there was a leak on Wise Road. However, that was dug up and checked and there was not a leak found. The main runs under 147. The Authority has to repair 147 where it was dug up once amesite is available. There are 4 more trees down at the Reservoir. They will need to be brought down and cut up. The wastewater portion is working fine.
Solicitors Report: None present.
Old Business:
Dean will handle the delinquents and shut offs with Andy. The widening of the road and clearing of brush to Well #2 is the sole remaining improvement from the yearly walk through and is pending until spring. The Manhole cover will not get fixed until spring, the riser that was requested has been purchased by SS Witmer Paving, and the Authority will reimburse only for the riser and not labor. A rate increase is going to happen this year. The amount of the increase has yet to be determined. Dean would like to give the public notice prior to the increase. Stone at the Reservoir is also pending until Spring.
New Business:
Dean followed up with the CPA and this is his busy time of year. He asked that we give him 30 days and he will then pick up the items. Dean found out that the Primarys are the same day as our meeting in May. It was suggested that the May meeting get moved to May 22nd. Dean reached out to Michelle Musser from USDA to see if there was any grant money available for the WWTP. If it becomes an emergency there is some help out there. Dean questioned if a $10.00 increase would be enough, considering the rates have never been raised. Dean is looking at putting the rates up with the 3rd quarter billing. Dean is going to reach out to Ren Wolfe in regards to shovel ready project that was discussed in the past to replace water lines.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the public meeting adjourned at 8:26 pm. Motion made by John and 2nd from Paul.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Tammy Osman, Secretary
Tammy Osman, Secretary
Herndon Borough - Jackson Township
Joint Municipal Authority
Meeting Minutes
