October 23, 2018
Call to Order:
President, Paul Witmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Present:
Authority Members: Dean Williard, Jeff Aurand, Brian Lenker, Paul Witmer,John Davis
Employees: 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 Paul and second by Brian to approve the minutes as presented.
Communications and Notices: Dean advised Andy had been contacted by email from DEP Geologist, Mark Stephens about a free Source Water Protection Technical Assistance Program. Dean submitted the info to PMAA (PA Municipal Authorities Assoc) for feed back. After reviewing feed back from other Municipal Authorities forwarded to us by PMAA, Dean made a motion & second by Brian to not participate at this time based on our Authority being small in size and there would have been a need to appoint another committee. This participation in the program was voluntary. Dean recently became aware that Seewald Labs was charging a fee of $5 for postage & handling if they were required to produce paper invoices with no charge if handled by way of email. Since the Authority has no internet connection and uses Dean's personal email under special circumstances, Dean asked Andy if there was an alternative lab that the Authority could use. Andy stated Seewald Labs provided better service than M J Reider; Reading, PA which the Authority had used years ago. Dean mentioned property transfers were in the process of being completed for the Kerchoff and Anderson properties. Andy had been contacted by Peter Cortelyou regards to the Anderson property stating the water had not been shut off. Andy was confident that it had been at the turn stop but, had no access to the residence. It was suggested that if Mr. Cortelyou disputed the $50 turn off/ turn on fees then he and Andy would meet at the property for an inside inspection.
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 $532.82 the balance in the general account of $25,209.78 and a balance in the Northumberland National Bank Savings account of $1,020.12. A motion was made by Dean and 2nd by John to pay the bills as presented along with the addition of payments to Andy Bobb for $1560.00, TDS for $126.15, Seewald Labs for $88.20, Dean Williard for $84.95 reimbursement for cost of having the computer located at the WWTP repaired.
Water/Wastewater System Operator: Andy informed the Authority that the wet wells #1 and #2 needed to be cleaned out of the fats/oils/grease. We have been doing this maintenance twice per year and Andy is contacting Stahneckers. The flow meter has been repaired at the WWTP. Andy advised that he was still attempting to locate a possible leak in the system. Chris Shutt from PA Rural Water Assoc (PARWA) had found a possible location. Andy obtained a 2nd opinion from Brian of PA Environmental Solutions (PESI) and he was not able to confirm the location found by PARWA. The possible location would have entailed digging up sidewalk and state highway at a substantial cost. Dean questioned if the leak was severe enough to cost justify as a 4 year average of electrical usage only reflected a 300 KWH increase equal to approximately $18 compared to the October electric bill. Dean also obtained info from Flagger Force and is going to have Atty Michetti review the Master Service Agreement before making any recommendations to entering into the agreement with Flagger Force or relying on Roy Adams & Sons to provide. Flagger Force has a 4 hour minimum for 2 people which equals $400 for traffic control along with overtime provisions, etc. Paul was contacted about the need for a manhole to be elevated by 4 inches due to recent repaving at Herndon Reload entrance on Pennsylvania Ave. SS Witmer paving will install but, the bill for the riser (not labor to install) will be the responsibility of the Authority. They had to order the riser from L B Water.
Solicitors Report: None present. Dean had contacted Atty Tony Michetti regarding the Bruce Laise property. No letter was requested to be sent. Atty Michetti advised that the Authority could visit the property. He had verified that the property was still in the name of Bruce Laise and we could provide the person who had stated to Andy that he had purchased the property with copies of past correspondence and our Municipal Lien to that person. He also suggested that I contact Ed Wiestling (the Borough's ordinance enforcement officer) as this person would be deemed a tenant of Laise and the Borough has ordinances regarding same. Dean had not been able to locate a copy of the time/date stamped recorded lien. Atty Michetti advised on October 11th email that he would forward but, as of the date of this meeting he had not received & would follow up with Atty Michetti.
Old Business:
As Tammy was on vacation until October 14th, Dean will handle the delinquents and shut offs with Andy after any shut off notices are sent. There is one (1) exception as before Tammy started her vacation the Authority received notice that a check for the Bartley property had been returned as being “account closed” and Dean directed Tammy to issue a disconnect letter giving them until tonight's (October 23) to remit payment. The widening of the road and clearing of brush to Well #2 is the sole remaining improvement from the yearly walk through. It was decided to address the issue by way of a work party to be conducted approximately March of 2019 before the new under growth starts to appear. The canopy modifications and the paving project were completed.
New Business:
Dean delayed working on the 2019 budget as he realized he usually waited until after the October meeting to begin the review. Paul and Dean signed the signature card at Mid Penn Bank and Tammy will sign after returning from vacation.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the public meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm. Motion made by Paul and 2nd from John
Respectfully Submitted By:
Dean Williard, Acting Secretary
Dean Williard, Acting Secretary
Herndon Borough - Jackson Township
Joint Municipal Authority
Meeting Minutes
