WANAQUE BOROUGH
SEWERAGE AUTHORITY
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
February 27, 2008
The regular
meeting of the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority was held on February 27, 2008
at
Chairman Bolduc 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 and News newspapers on
February 14, 2008 stating therein that this meeting has been rescheduled for
February 27, 2007 at 7:30 P.M. at the
ROLL CALL:
On roll call, the
following Commissioners responded:
Andrew R. Bolduc
Frank Covelli
John DiMeglio
Joseph Garland
Cmsr. Mark Reuter was absent.
Professionals Present:
Chuck Ferraioli, CPA
Jeffrey M. Kassover, Esq.
William J. Kelly,
Penny Schlagel, Office Mgr.
Jeffrey Kassover, Esq. then
administered the Oath of Office to Frank Covelli for his re-appointment as
Commissioner on behalf of the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority.
5. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Since no one from
the pubic entered any discussion, the Chairman closed this portion of the
meeting.
6. COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Ltr. from Kathy
Dykstra
Re:
Billing
Chairman Bolduc asked if the Building Dept. went out to
this property to confirm the sewer was disconnected.
Mrs. Schlagel replied not to her knowledge, a letter was
only submitted from the plumber who disconnected the sewer in 2004.
Chairman Bolduc replied that the owner has been being
charged for a bait shop/shed since 2004.
If there is a credit due, it is only right that it be given, however we
need to know if this building was ever inspected by anyone in this town when
the sewer was disconnected.
Cmsr. Covelli asked if we could go back this far and
confirm it was closed since 2004?
Mr. Kassover replied that our budget is based upon a
certain amount of revenue. If there is a
mistake in billing, that is one thing, but this is not a mistake on our part.
Cmsr. Covelli replied that he has no problem issuing a
credit for the 1st quarter 2008 billing.
Chairman Bolduc stated that a letter should be sent to the
owner advising them that based upon the proof submitted, assuming we can get
verification from the building department or the water department, the
Authority will suspend the first quarter billing charge pending further
investigation.
Cmsr. Covelli asked if the 1st quarter billing had been
paid and if they are paying a water bill?
Mrs. Schlagel replied that she did not know, but would
check with Mr. Kostro.
Cmsr. Covelli then stated that it is obvious the owner is
having a financial hardship, has there ever been any correspondence on this
matter between 2004 and now?
Mrs. Schlagel replied no.
Cmsr. Covelli moved a Resolution authorizing the suspension
of the 1st quarter 2008 billing charge of $215.00 for
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
Resolution adopted.
2. Ltr. from Borough
of Wanaque
Re: John DiMeglio (re-appointment)
Receive &
File
6. NEW BUSINESS:
1. 1st Quarter 2008 Sewer Billing
Cmsr. Covelli stated that there was a slight delay in
issuing our first quarter billing and suggests that interest be posted on March
17th rather than on the 10th as it is normally.
Cmsr. Covelli moved a Resolution authorizing that interest
for the 1st quarter 2008 billing will be posted on March 17, 2008, seconded by
Cmsr. Garland.
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
Resolution adopted.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Wanaque Reserve Clubhouse Billing:
Chairman Bolduc stated that the clubhouse was billed for
$6,646.00 for the 2007 2nd quarter billing.
Based upon the calculations that have been reviewed multiple times, it
has been concluded that there should be a credit issued on this account for
$3,115.00.
Mr. Kelly stated that Mrs. Schlagel asked him to review the
readings that the Tax Dept. sent over as there was an error in the 3rd quarter
reading, and after reviewing it I agree, there should be a total credit to this
account in the amount of $3,890.00 not $3,115.00. These meters must be read correctly.
Mr. Ferraioli asked what when wrong?
Mr. Kelly replied that he was told that there is a new
computerized reading of the meters and for some reason there was a glitz in the
computer.
Mr. Ferraioli then asked if this was a problem for just
this user or all commercial users?
Mr. Kelly replied that he does know, he was only asked to
check this account.
Mrs. Schlagel stated that she reviews every commercial
billing, and then forwards the total for each commercial user to Mr. Ferraioli
and the commission. This is the only
account that had a problem. When this
billing was sent to me, it was questioned.
I had asked the Tax Dept. on three different occasions to have this
meter re-read because the billing was so high.
Every time this meter was re-read, I was told the reading was correct.
Cmsr. Covelli replied that he remembers this incident and
he knows that Mrs. Schlagel caught this billing and did ask the Tax Dept. about
it and they replied that the reading was of course correct. Since the clubhouse does not have a track
record of readings, Mrs. Schlagel approved of the billing going out because she
had thought that the pools might have been filled. However, after the bill was
sent to Wanaque Reserve they pointed out that this was not the month the pools
were filled.
Cmsr. Covelli moved a Resolution authorizing a credit in
the amount of $3,890.00 to the Wanaque Reserve Clubhouse, seconded by Cmsr.
Garland.
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
Resolution adopted.
Mr. Ferraioli
stated that he is still concerned that the meters may be getting read
wrong. If the gun read the clubhouse
wrong, why didn’t it read the other commercial accounts wrong?
Cmsr. Covelli replied that a letter should be sent to the
Water Dept. asking Mr. Kostro as to when the guns were last calibrated and how
often they are checked for accuracy.
Mr. Kelly stated that this is a fairly a new system.
Cmsr. Covelli replied that he believes the system is a
least 2 years old.
8. PROFESSIONAL/COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. William J. Kelly, Engineer
a.
Mr. Kelly stated that Mr. Dee is not present tonight so we
will have to put this matter off until next month. Mr. Dee is interested in sharing some of the
costs of constructing a sewer line on
b.
Re: New Meter Installation
Mr. Kelly stated that the average daily flow is 14,000. to
16,000. gallons. When the bill is
received next quarter, it is going to be a large dollar amount. Because of problems with the previous meter
we were only charging $1,800. per quarter. Now a new meter has been installed
under our direction. The meter has been
calibrated and tested. When it rains it’s
reading up to 30 gallons a minutes.
Therefore, a lot of ground water is going into the sewer system combined
with the leach field. Brian Eagan and I
had a conversation and he his well aware of this fact. I spoke with Greg White and asked him if he
was monitoring the quality of water from the leach field. He told me he was not and asked me to check
my files as he had sent the college a letter five years ago that the regional
does have the right to monitor the quality of water. Mr. White then sent a letter to the College
on February 25th advising them what it will cost per month to test the water.
Cmsr. Covelli replied that it would cost $350.00 per
month. It was reported at the WVRSA that
depending on the toxicity in the leach field, we also have a right to institute
a surcharge for the additional treatment.
Mr. Kelly stated that he doubts it would need any
additional treatment, as it is mostly groundwater. Once the college receives their bill, their
engineers will be contacted to see if the leach field can be raised to ground
level.
c. Union Court
Pumping Station:
Mr. Kelly stated that last month he reported that he had
the proposals for a new generator. The
commission had asked that I speak to T. Carroll since he his our pubic
purchasing agent. Mr. Carroll replied that
the proposals are fine.
Cmsr. Covelli asked if Mr. Carroll looked under the State
Contract.
Mr. Kelly replied yes he did and Mr. Carroll could not get
a better price. Therefore, it is
recommended that we purchase a generator for the amount of $11,275.00 from
Stand By You. They will deliver the
generator and pick up the old one, tell us what it is worth and then we can see
if they can sell it. However, after
speaking with Mr. Kostro, he has advised that Fitzpatrick & Sons may be
interested in purchasing our old generator.
Cmsr. Covelli replied that we would have to have an auction
to dispose of public property. Mr.
Carroll could handle this matter.
Cmsr. Covelli moved a Resolution authorizing the purchase
of a new generator for the amount of $11,275.00 from Stand By You as
recommended by the Engineer and the Public Purchasing Official with the
disposal of the old generator in accordance with the required statutes,
seconded by Cmsr. DiMeglio.
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
Resolution adopted.
Mr. Kelly stated that with regard to rehabilitating this
station he has sent our proposals. One
has already been received from Pumping Services.
After speaking with Mr.
Carroll, we need to have at least 3 (three) quotes.
A letter was then sent to
P&H Construction, Maple Construction, Semara Construction, and CFM
Construction with a scope of work that would be required along with a plan of
the existing station. Hopefully by next
meeting we will have three quotes.
Cmsr. Covelli stated that he knew of one more company that
a proposal should be sent to: Rapid Pump
& Meter,
d. Projected Future
Projects:
Mr. Kelly stated that he met with the WVRSA , Jeff
Kassover, Esq. and Bond Counsel and he has updated his priority list on behalf
of this Authority. The total project
costs would be around $2,000.000. (See attached breakdown of costs by project.)
e. Infiltration:
Mr. Kelly stated that Mr. White contacted him regarding the
plant flows when it is raining/snow melting.
With the ground water being so high, the Haskell Pumping Station is just
about to overflow during heavy rain. The
college isn’t helping this station with all the ground water that is coming in
from the leach field. Also, there was a sewer manhole put in
Discussion ensued
about installing a holding tank at the WVRSA plant, which would equalize the
flow going into the plant rather then in surges.
Chairman Bolduc stated that Mrs. Schlagel has informed him
that while she was out walking she had noticed caps off the sewer laterals were
missing and saw water just pouring into them.
It was then asked if Mrs. Schlagel would obtain those addresses and give
them to Mr. Kostro so that they could be repaired.
Cmsr. Covelli replied that Mrs. Schlagel brought this
matter to our attention before. I
thought it was concluded that while reading the water meters the men would
check for these caps. Also, the men were
going to check the manhole covers and frames for leakage. We were told it was going to be done, and it
would take about several months.
Mr. Kelly replied that the manholes were checked and
repaired. There could be a lot of infiltration going into the laterals. This matter needs to be looked into.
Chairman Bolduc directed Mr. Kelly to send Mr. Kostro a
letter advising him that when his men go out and read the meters if he could
have them check for laterals with no lids, and report back to the Authority
with a report of all those laterals that were repaired.
Mr. Kelly stated that the Authority could actually install
a flow meter for each home in town at a cost of 150.00-$200.00 per home. This metering would tell us exactly where the
infiltration is coming from rather then putting funds into the repairing the
main lines.
Cmsr. Covelli replied that this might be a good idea for
all commercial users.
2. Jeffrey M.
Kassover, Esq.
a. Valleyview at
Wanaque Developer’s Agreement:
Mr. Kassover stated that he has still yet to receive the
signed agreement. Apparently the
developer is still waiting for the town to accept the responsibility of the
streets when the project is completed.
However, our agreement does cover whether the town does or doesn’t take
over the streets. Tom Carroll has
advised me that a resolution/ordinance is being passed to amend the developer’s
agreement whereby the town would take over ownership of the streets. Because of this delay, we will not be getting
an installment for our connection fee until September. The payments do not start until the agreement
is signed. Also, the attorney handling
this matter on behalf of Valleyview is no longer handling this case.
Cmsr. Covelli stated that regardless of who owns the roads,
it should not be an issue for this Authority.
Mr. Kassover replied that in the agreement it states that
the developer is responsible for the sewer lines up to the point of connection
to the outside to our system. If the
borough owns the streets, we would be responsible for inspecting the lines in
the roads, as we would have ownership of them.
Another letter will be sent
reminding them of this agreement as well as what
the connection fee will be
for those 29 units if this agreement is not signed. We may need to discuss this matter next month
in closed session.
3. Charles
Ferraioli, CPA
a. Refunding of
Bonds:
Cmsr. Garland moved that:
WHEREAS, the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority desires to
make application to the Local Finance Board for its review and/or approval of a
proposed resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds to (1) fund certain
capital projects and; (2) refund all or a portion of the Authority’s
outstanding 1997 bonds.
WHEREAS, the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority believes:
a. It is in the
public interest to accomplish such purposes;
b. Said purpose or
improvements are for the health, wealth, convenience or betterment of the
inhabitants of the local unit or units;
c. The amounts to be
expended for said purpose or improvements are not unreasonable or exorbitant;
d. The proposal is
an efficient and feasible means of providing services for the needs of the
inhabitants of the local unit or units and will not create an undue financial
burden to be placed upon the local unit or units;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WANAQUE BOROUGH
SEWERAGE AUTHORITY as follows:
Section 1.: The application to the Local Finance Board is
hereby approved, and the Auditor, Attorney, Bond Counsel and financial advisor,
along with other representatives of the Authority, are hereby authorized to
prepare such application and to represent the Authority in matters pertaining
thereto.
Section 2.: The Secretary of the Authority is hereby
directed to prepare and file a copy of the proposed resolution with the Local
Finance Board as part of such application.
Section 3.: The Local Finance Board is hereby respectfully
requested
to consider such application
and to record its findings, recommendations
and/or approvals as provided
by the applicable New Jersey Statute seconded by Cmsr. DiMeglio.
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
Resolution adopted.
(See attached schedule.)
Cmsr. Garland moved a Resolution authorizing Cmsr. Frank
Covelli to attend the Local Finance Board Meeting on behalf of this Authority,
seconded by Cmsr. DiMeglio.
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
Resolution adopted.
10. FINANCIAL 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. DiMeglio.
Voucher 22 through 33
Auto Debit (Health) $659,490.48
Payroll & Processing: 4,874.56
___________
TOTAL: $664,365.04
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
resolution adopted.
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”
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 of $664,365.04 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 and 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. DiMeglio.
On roll call all voted yes and the Chairman declared this
meeting adjourned.
_______________________________
John DiMeglio, V-Chairman