WANAQUE BOROUGH
SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

 

MINUTES

Regular Meeting

February 10, 2009

 

          The Regular Meeting of the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority was held on February 10, 2009 at 579 Ringwood Avenue, Wanaque, New Jersey at 7:30 P.M.

 

          Chairman Andrew Bolduc presided and read the following Sunshine Statement:

 

          “Adequate notice of these meetings has been provided by mailing notices of these meetings to the Trends and Herald & News newspapers on January 20, 2009, stating therein that the Re-organization and the Regular Meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2009.  Said meeting will 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 January 20, 2009.”

 

ROLL CALL:

 

          On roll call the following Commissioners responded:

 

                             Andrew R. Bolduc

                             Frank Covelli

                             John DiMeglio

                             Joseph Garland

                             Mark Reuter

 

          Professionals Present:

 

                             Paul Cuva, CPA

                             Jeffrey M. Kassover, Esq.

                             Wm. J. Kelly, Eng.

                             Penny Schlagel, Office Mgr.

 

MINUTES:

 

          The regular meeting minutes of January 13, 2009 were presented.  No corrections or deletions.

 

          Cmsr. DiMeglio moved for the approval of the above-mentioned minutes, seconded by Cmsr. Reuter.

 

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

 

PUBLIC DISCUSSION:

 

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

 

5.  COMMUNICATIONS:

 

          1.  Ltr. from W.J. Kelly Eng. Assocs.

               Re:  Sewer Revenue Bonds

               Received & Filed

 

          2.  Loss Control Report

               Received & Filed

 

6.  NEW BUSINESS:

 

          None

 

7.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

          PUBLIC HEARING 2009 BUDGET:

 

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

 

ADOPTION OF THE 2009 WBSA BUDGET:

 

          Chrm. Bolduc stated that since this board is not happy with the WVRSA’s increase, Mr. Kassover has reviewed the Service Agreement, and basically,we have not choice but to vote on our budget, unless we want to go litigation. 

          Cmsr. DiMeglio stated that he is not happy at all by adopting the WBSA budget, and further stated that Mr. White should have never signed the contract with Ringwood.

          Chrm. Bolduc replied that it was inappropriate of Mr. White to sign this agreement, it is a conflict of interest, however it was approved and ratified by the majority of the WVRSA.  Myself and Chrm. Covelli of the WVRSA both voted no to this agreement and again were out voted.  The good thing is now the regional is looking into an alarm system, which is something we have been pushing towards. 

         

          Cmsr. Reuter moved for the adoption of the WBSA’s 2009 Budget, seconded by Cmsr. Covelli.

 

          On roll call all voted yes and the Chrm. declared this motion carried.

 

8.  PROFESSIONAL/COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

          1. Wm. J. Kelly, Eng.

 

                    a.  Roger/Gorge Dr. Sewer Extension:

 

           Mr. Kelly stated that the sewer line is now operating and the pumping station is now out of service.  Now we are waiting for the Power Company to come and disconnect all power.  Mrs. Schlagel has called the Phone Company and has cancelled the alarm line.

          Chrm Bolduc asked if there was anything worth saving from the station that could be salvaged?

          Mr. Kelly replied that at this time he does not know until the pumps are pulled and inspected.  If anything can be saved it will.

          Mr. Cuva then stated that West Milford has a lot of plants, they may be able to use the pumps. Mr. Cuva then suggested that Mr. Kelly call Judy Kerr.

          Cmsr. Covelli asked what happens to the property once the station is removed?

          Mr. Kelly replied that once everything is dismantled, it would be paved where the pump station sat.  You will never know that there was a pump station there.  Some residents do use this area for parking.

          Mr. John De is in the process of installing his water main; this will be constructed shortly.  A gas main also will be going in as long as there is room.  We do have an easement.

          Mr. Kassover replied that there is now a second modified easement.

          Cmsr. Covelli stated that the Board of Adjustment secured this second easement. 

          Mr. Kelly stated that he would like to give Mr. Dee permission to install a gas line.

          Cmsr. Covelli asked if Mr. Dee would restore the property?

          Mr. Kelly replied that Mr. Dee would be doing this work while it is under construction, so the property is already being disturbed.  The Gas Company will be installing the line.

          Cmsr. Covelli then asked if Mr. Dee would restore the property once he installs the line?

          Mr. Kelly replied no, because the contractor will be restoring the property once all the lines are in the easement.  This is already in our contract for the contractor to complete. 

          Cmsr. Covelli stated he was hoping that we would possibly get some type of credit from the contractor if Mr. Dee were going to restore the property.

          Chrm. Bolduc further stated that even though Mr. Dee is a client of his, he has done the Authority a huge favor by granting us this easement so that we could do away with this pump station, alarm line, maintenance, etc.

Do we need to change the easement due to the gas line?

          Mr. Kassover replied that we should clarify the easement to state that there is also a gas line included in the easement.

 

          Cmsr. Covelli moved a Resolution authorizing Mr. Kassover to modify the easement with regard to Mr. Dee’s property ( Block 10, Lot 428) (Gorge Drive) that presently calls for a water sewer easement which shall now also include a gas line.  Seconded by Cmsr. Reuter.

 

          On roll call all voted yes except for Cmsr. Bolduc who abstained, and then the Chrm. declared this resolution adopted.

         

          b.  Union Court Pump Station:

 

          Mr. Kelly stated that Michael Reiff has brought to his attention that last year the Authority spent $4,970.00 with regard to repairs of Pump #1 at the Union Court Pump Station.  There is definitely a problem here.  Therefore, it is my recommendation that we have the flows monitored at this station. 

 

          Cmsr. Garland moved a Resolution authorizing Pumping Services to perform a flow study at the Union Court Pump Station at a cost not to exceed $2,500.

 

          Cmsr. Reuter then asked if the Authority just spent money on upgrading this station?

          Mr. Kelly replied yes, but no work was done to the pumps.

 

          On roll call all voted yes and the Chrm. declared this Resolution adopted.

 

          Cmsr. Covelli then asked if this cost would come out of the construction fund.

          Mr. Kelly and Mrs. Schlagel both replied yes.

 

          c.  Wastewater Management Plan:

 

          Mr. Kelly stated that he is still gathering the necessary information needed.  The borough has been officially notified by the county that they will not be preparing the Wastewater Management Plan.  I have requested a copy of this letter from Tom Carroll and have not received it as of today.

 

          2.  Jeffrey M. Kassover, Esq.

 

                   119 Meadowbrook Ave

 

          Mr. Kassover stated that the Authority received a Bankruptcy Notice. The debt does not go away, there is still a lien on the property.  However, we cannot shut off water for non-payment of sewer for the charges that incurred through December of 2008.  If the owner continues to default in the future, then Mrs. Schlagel may follow her shut off procedure.

 

          3.  Paul Cuva, CPA

 

          Nothing further to report.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT:

 

          Cmsr. Covelli asked that Mrs. Schlagel shop around to see if the Authority could get a better rate for their phone bill since the Pulte homes are now online, we may have an option of another phone company besides Verizon.

          Mrs. Schlagel replied that we did this study about 3 years ago, and because of the fact that we have alarm lines, Verizon is the only company that has such a service for alarm lines.  However, she will see if we could now switch to Optimum.

 

          Cmsr. Reuter moved a Resolution to approve the following bills for payment when the funds of the Authority are sufficient to meet them.

 

                             V-15 through 27

                             Health Benefits                          $682,634.53

                             Payroll 3,4 &5, Processing:             7,721.87

                             Construction                                 32,168.91

                                                                            

                                      RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION 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” WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS OF THE WANAQUE BOROUGH

SEWERAGE AUTHORITY IN OCTOBER OF 1987, AS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THEREAFTER.

 

          1.  The authority hereby makes requisition to the Trustee for funds from the Revenue Fund established under a Resolution to be transferred to the credit of a Special Account in the name of the Authority, to be paid to the persons, firms or corporations in the amount $690,356.40 and for the purposes as 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 and maintaining of 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 Chrm. declared this resolution adopted.

                                      RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION REQUISITIONING FROM THE CONSTRUCTION FUND BY THE WANAQUE BOROUGH SEWERAGE AUTHORITY (“AUTHORITY”) PURSUANT TO THE SECTION OF THE BOND RESOLUTION ENTITLED “RESOLUTION” AND AUTHORIZING THE SUM OF $32,168.91 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT THEREOF ADOPTED BY THE AUTHORITY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, AS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THEREAFTER.

          BE IT RESOLVED, by the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority in the County of Passaic, State of New Jersey as follows:

 

          1.  Requisition is hereby made by the Authority to the Trustee for funds from the Construction Fund established under the Resolution to be paid to the persons, firms or corporations in the stated amounts and for the purposes as setforth on the attached Exhibit “A”.

          2.  It is hereby certified as follows:

 

                   a.  The obligations in the stated amounts have been incurred by the Authority and that each item thereof was properly incurred in the construction or reconstruction of the sewer 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 Chrm. declared this Resolution adopted.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

         

          On roll call all voted yes and the Chrm. declared this meeting adjourned.

 

_________________________________

Andrew R. Bolduc, Chairman