WANAQUE BOROUGH

SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

 

MINUTES

 

Regular Meeting

December 12, 2006

 

          The regular meeting of the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority was held on December 12, 2006 at 579 Ringwood Avenue, Wanaque, New Jersey at 6:00 P.M.

 

          Chairman DiMeglio presided and read the following Sunshine Statement:

 

          “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by mailing notice of this meeting to the Trends and Herald & News newspapers on November 17, 2006 stating therein that this meeting would be held at 579 Ringwood Avenue, Wanaque, New Jersey including agenda therefore, and a copy of this notice was posted in the Wanaque Municipal Building on November 17, 2006”.

 

ROLL CALL:

 

          On roll call, the following commissioners responded:

 

                                      Bolduc

                                      Covelli

                                      DiMeglio

                                      Garland

 

          Professionals Present:

 

                                      Charles Ferraioli, CPA

                                      Jeffrey M. Kassover, Esq.

                                      William J. Kelly, Eng.      

                                      George Kostro, Sup.

                                      C’man Dan Mahler

                                      Penny Schlagel, Office Mgr.

 

MINUTES:

 

          The regular meeting minutes of November 13, 2006 were presented. 

 

No corrections or deletions.

 

          Cmsr. Garland moved for the approval of the above-mentioned minutes, seconded by Cmsr. Covelli.

 

          On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this set of minutes adopted.

 

PUBLIC DISCUSSION:

 

          Since no one from the public entered any public discussion, the chairman closed this portion of the meeting.

 

6.  COMMUNICATIONS:

 

          1. Ltr. from McCarthy & Ford

              Re: Relocation

                    Received & Filed

 

          2.  NJUA-By Laws

               Re:  Resolution

 

          Cmsr. Covelli moved that:

 

          WHEREAS, the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority is a member of the New Jersey Utility Authorities Joint Insurance fund, hereinafter the “FUND” and;

          WHEREAS, after a public hearing conducted on August 23, 2006, the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Utility Authorities Joint Insurance Fund approved the revised Bylaws and;

          WHEREAS, the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Utility Authorities Joint Insurance Fund recommends revised bylaws to the membership; and

          WHEREAS, these revised bylaws must be ratified by at least three fourths of the members before they can become effective.

          NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the governing body of  the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority that the revised bylaws are hereby ratified seconded by Cmsr. Bolduc.

 

          On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted.

 

          3.  Wastewater Management Agreement between the Borough of Wanaque, The Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority and the Borough of Ringwood:

 

          Cmsr. Covelli moved that:

 

          WHEREAS, the Borough of Ringwood has voted to dissolve the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority, allowing it to merge with the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority (WBSA); and

          WHEREAS, there are certain agreements and understandings with the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority which the Borough of Wanaque and the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority wish to continue; and

          WHEREAS, the Borough of Wanaque and the Borough of Ringwood wish to continue a relationship with regards to Wastewater Management.

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

 

          1.  There is hereby established the Wanaque/Ringwood Wastewater Management committee, consisting of the respective Mayors and Administrator/Manager of each community, two members of the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority and the plant manager of the Wanaque Valley Sewer Plant, for the purpose of updating the Wastewater Management Plan for both communities through December 31, 2009.  The Wanaque Borough Sewerage authority will fund all of the administrative costs of the Committee (attorney & secretary) through December 31, 2009.

          2.  The WBSA will fund any Wastewater Management Plan’s submitted to the NJDEP in 2007 through 2009 as follows:

                   a.  fund 100% of the cost for the Borough of Wanaque;

                   b.  fund up to $20,000. of the cost for engineering and related fees for the Borough of Ringwood.

Any costs in excess of $20,000. for the Borough of Ringwood shall be approved by Ringwood before the expense is incurred and shall be paid for by the Borough of Ringwood.

          3.  The Borough of Wanaque and the WBSA agree that current litigation between the WVRSA and Ringwood over prior wastewater management filing costs will be dismissed and Ringwood will be absolved of the liability.

          4.  The WBSA will complete current wastewater management application to DEP under the same terms as paragraph 2 above.

          5.  The WBSA agrees to take all sewerage from Peter Cooper School and Hewitt School through December 31, 2016 at no charge, up to a maximum of 120% of the volume by type of material receives at the sewerage plant in 2006 from these schools.  All transportation costs are to be paid by Ringwood or the Ringwood Board of Education.

          6.  The WBSA agrees that any Ringwood resident or business that is currently hooked up to the WBSA lines or who hooks up in the future will pay the same hook up fee and same annual user rate as Wanaque residents.  Ringwood property owners will be allowed to connect to the sewer system in the future, as long as the line passes their property and capacity exists, and all other regulations of the NJDEP are met.

          7.  The WBSA agrees to keep rates for septic haulers servicing Ringwood competitive with other receiving sewerage plants in the immediate area.

          8.  The Borough of Wanaque, Borough of Ringwood and  WBSA agree to allow the Township of West Milford to join the Wastewater Management Committee.  The Borough of Wanaque and the WBSA agree to afford the Township of West Milford the same benefits as afforded to the Borough of Ringwood under this agreement.

          9.  This agreement is contingent upon the final passage and adoption of ordinances in 2006 by the Borough of Wanaque, the Borough of Ringwood and the Township of West Milford dissolving the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority.  The failure of any of the three municipalities above to pass and adopt such ordinance will void this agreement in full, seconded by Cmsr. Bolduc.

 

          On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted.

 

7.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

          1. Copy Cat Copy Machine:

 

          The commission appointed Cmsr. Bolduc and DiMeglio to handle same.

 

8.  NEW BUSINESS:

 

          1.  Penny Schlagel

              Re:  Previous years-sick time buyback

 

          Cmsr. Covelli moved a resolution authorizing Penny Schlagel to buy back a total of 78 hours in sick time for previous years accumulated, seconded by Cmsr. Garland.

 

          On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted.

                  

          Cmsr. Bolduc stated that  we are offering Ms. Schlagel the same opportunity that the regional is offering their employees.  One of the things discussed was that we should bring Ms. Schlagel’s personnel policies in line with the regional since we will soon be one authority.

 

          2.  Penny Schlagel

              Re:  Employee Raise

                     2007: 3.5%

                    2008: 3.5%

                    2009: 4.0%

 

          Cmsr. Covelli stated that this matter should be held over until our next meeting, as there is a reason why Mrs. Schlagel is asking for this.

 

9.  PROFESSIONAL/COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

          1.  Charles Ferraioli, CPA

 

                   a.  2007 Budget:

 

          Mr. Ferraioli stated that our 2007 connection fee will be $8,310.00.  This is slightly less than last year due to the increase in Pulte users, which increased our user base. 

          Mr. Kassover stated that he would now notify the Borough Clerk and publish same in two newspapers no later than 20 days prior to the hearing.

         

          Cmsr. Bolduc moved a resolution to introduce the WBSA 2007 Budget at our January 9, 2007 meeting, seconded by Cmsr. Garland.

 

          On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted. 

 

          Mr. Ferraioli further stated that the 2006 cash receipts might come in lower then what was budgeted.  Mrs. Schlagel will be trying to collect as much as she can by December 31st.

          Revenues for 2007 have been increased to 3.5 million due to the Pulte units coming in.    If the Pulte users do not continue to come in, we may have to look at an increase in 2008.  Until the 2006 audit is complete, we can not do any capital projects.  There is a call in on our bonds in October 2007, we could refinance them and have a savings, but we do not know what that will be right now.  Please remember that there has been no rate increase for the last 13 years.

 

          2.  Jeffrey M. Kassover, Esq.

 

                   a.  Copy Cat Copy  Machine:

 

          Cmsr. Covelli stated that we should authorize Mr. Kassover to discuss the re-stocking fee of the copy machine.

          Cmsr. Bolduc stated that the president of this company came to his office trying to get him to sign the contracts on behalf of the authority, and he would not sign them.  The contract was not what we initially agreed to, so there was then an addendum to the contract. 

          Mr. Kassover stated that this matter should be discussed in closed session.  However, a letter should be sent telling the company that we are looking into the matter.

 

          Cmsr. Covelli moved a resolution authorizing Jeffrey M. Kassover, Esq. to negotiate the re-stocking fee that Copy Cat is charging this authority, and to report back to Cmsr. Bolduc and DiMeglio with his findings in an attempt to resolve same, seconded by Cmsr. Bolduc.

 

          On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted.

 

          b.  20 Decker Road

               Re:  Release

 

          Mr. Kassover stated that we have now received an executed Release from the Payne’s and Mrs. Schlagel can now release their check.

 

          c.  Building Inspector’s requirement for footings on the Union Court

              Pumping Station:

 

          Mr. Kassover stated that after researching this matter further it is his opinion that the footing requirement must be researched in the state building code. 

          3.  William J. Kelly, Eng.

 

          a.  Passaic County Community College:

 

          Mr. Kelly stated that the meter studying is now complete and we are reviewing the results of the meter.  However the flow is quite variable.  As such,  Mr. Kelly will be reviewing the results himself.

 

          b.  Candle Factory:

 

          Mr. Kelly stated that he has reviewed the revised plans, and the pumping station is now eliminated, as connection will be made on the Boulevard by gravity feed, which was recommended by Mr. Kostro.  A sewer line will be ran down Fourth Avenue, so any properties along this street can connect to this new line. There are a total of 144 units, and out of that 51 have one bedroom and a den.  As such, Mr. Kelly sent a letter to the developer asking what the den is being used for? Will it have windows, a closet?  We need this information in order to determine what the flow will be.  Before recommendation can be given to this authority to endorse this application, we need to know this information.

 

          c.  Roger Ave Pump Station:

 

          Mr. Kelly stated that he was asked to get a proposal to replace the sewerage pumping station to gravity feed.  The estimated prediction is around $100,000.00, but we will have to wait for the proposal to come in.

As for the traffic box that was suggested last month, also a quote was obtained from Home Depot for a shed, however footings will be required, which will probably cost more than the traffic box by the time we are done.

As such it was agreed that Mr. Kelly would contact Longo Contracting for a price quote to build some type of structure around this station. 

 

          d.  Restaurant Billing:

 

          Mr. Kelly stated that after studying Burger King’s records they use 30 gallons per seat.  Berta’s and IlPallazzo use about 10 gallons per seat per day.  It was then suggested by Mr. Kelly that maybe we could obtain other meter usages from restaurants in Pompton Lakes.

          Mr. Kassover stated that he would be happy to help Mr. Kelly with same.

 

FINANCE REPORT:

 

          Cmsr. Garland moved a resolution to approve the following bills for payment when the funds of the authority are sufficient to meet them, seconded by Cmsr. Bolduc:

 

          Voucher 167 thorough 286 (auto debit-health benefits)  $37,356.01

                                                Payroll:                                     6,803.27

                                                                                             __________

                                                                                             $44,159.88

                                      RESOLUTION

 

REQUISITION REQUESTING FROM THE REVENUE FUND TO THE OPERATING FUND BY THE WANAQUE BOROUGH SEWERAGE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THE SECTION OF THE BOND RESOLUTION  ENTITLED “RESOLUTION” PROVIDES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS OF THE WANAQUE BOROUGH SEWERAGE AUTHORITY IN OCTOBER, 1987 AS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THEREAFTER.

 

          1.  Requisition is hereby made by the authority to the trustee for funds from the revenue fund established under a resolution to be transferred to the credit of s special account in the name of the authority to be paid to the persons, firms or corporations in the amount of $44,159.88 and for the purposes setforth herein on the attached “Exhibit A”.

 

                   a.  The authority has incurred the obligations in the stated amounts and that each item thereof was properly incurred in the operating, maintaining the system and has not been paid.

 

                   b.  There has not been filed with or served upon the corporation named in such requisition, or if any such lien, attachment or claim has been released and discharged by the authority.

 

                   On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted.

 

11.  ADJOURNMENT:

 

          Cmsr. Covelli moved for the adjournment of this meeting, seconded by Cmsr. Covelli.

 

          On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted.

 

______________________________

John DiMeglio, Chairman