WANAQUE BOROUGH SEWERAGE AUTHORITY
BOROUGH OF WANAQUE
REGULAR MEETING
June 13, 2006
The regular
meeting of the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority was held on June 13, 2006 at
579 Ringwood Avenue, Wanaque, New Jersey at 7:30 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 March 27, 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 March 27, 2006.
ROLL CALL:
On roll call, the
following commissioners responded:
Bolduc
Covelli
DiMeglio
Garland
Cmsr. Joseph Longo was absent.
Professionals Present:
Charles Ferraioli,
CPA
Jeffrey M. Kassover,
Esq.
William J. Kelly,,
Eng.
Penny Schlagel,
Office Manager
MINUTES:
The regular
meeting minutes of May 9, 2006 were presented.
No corrections or deletions.
Cmsr. Garland moved for the approval of the May 9, 2006
meeting minutes, seconded by Cmsr. Bolduc.
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 Jeffrey M. Kassover, Esq.
Re: 918 Ringwood Avenue
Mr. Kassover stated that suit has been filed against the
owner in lieu of the note that was held by this authority. If Mr. Vaas does not answer the complaint by
June 22, 2006 default will then be entered.
The authority will then file papers to enter a judgment for the amount
due plus attorney fees that authority incurred.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Jet Vac Agreement with Borough of Wanaque
Mr. Kassover stated that a revised agreement was sent out
to the borough on June 6th.
Mrs. Schlagel replied that there was a council meeting last
night, it could have been discussed then.
Mr. Kassover stated that he would follow up with Mr.
Carroll on it.
2. Penny Schlagel
Re: Salary/Hrly.
Held for closed session.
3. 2005 Audit
Report:
Cmsr. Covelli moved a Resolution accepting the 2005 audit
report as presented by the auditor and that the authorization is hereby given
to execute the certification for the State of New Jersey on same, seconded by
Cmsr. Garland.
On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this
resolution adopted.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Residential Sewer Rate Survey:
Cmsr. Covelli stated that Mrs. Schlagel did a survey a
couple years back for the cost of sewer connection as well as the yearly sewer
fees. At some point the authority will
need an updated survey so I asked her to do update it.
2. Ordinance to
dissolve the Wanaque Valley
Regional Sewerage Authority
Chrm. DiMeglio stated that at the council meeting last
night, the mayor and council introduced an ordinance to dissolve the Wanaque
Valley Regional Sewerage Authority. This
authority should pass a resolution as well showing our support for this
ordinance.
Cmsr. Bolduc replied that we have passed a resolution three
years ago and have been doing so every January.
Therefore, we should show our support.
Mr. Kassover stated that he has spoken to Mr. Fiorello
about this ordinance and found it acceptable as well. This ordinance calls for the dissolution of
the regional authority. It does not
address what happens though to the plant, administration, etc. As such, this authority should pass a resolution
stating that this authority would take over the plant as well the outstanding
debt of the regional. This would not be
a problem, as we are paying for it already.
The borough would not have a problem because under the service agreement
between this authority and borough, the borough guarantees the debts of this
authority.
Cmsr. Covelli asked if the authority had to show an orderly
transition?
Mr. Kassover stated that under recent amendments to the
local finance law, before they would approve the dissolution of the WVRSA there
would have to be plan for the transition of the operations and assumption of
the debt. The local finance board has to
be satisfied that this authority is capable of assuming the debt.
Cmsr. Bolduc moved a resolution to assume the debt, take
over all operations under the Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority upon the
dissolution of the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority. Mr. Kassover is hereby authorized to prepare
said detailed resolution and have same executed by the chairman before the next
mayor and council meeting once said resolution has been reviewed by the
commission, seconded by Cmsr. Covelli.
On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this
resolution adopted.
9. PROFESSIONAL/COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. William J. Kelly, Eng.
Whistler Place
Sewer Rehab.:
Mr. Kelly stated that Lee T. Purcell completed the plans
and specifications. Those plans have been
reviewed and changes have been made. The
plans have now been forwarded to Alaimo Engineering so that they can be
attached to the final bid documents. An
easement will have to be obtained for the sewer line that runs from Ringwood
Ave to the manhole that is adjacent to the Haskell Pumping Station. The survey work is presently in progress, and
should be completed by the end of this week.
When this is completed, it will be forwarded to Mr. Kassover so that he
may deal with the property owner James Russo of 1205 Ringwood Avenue.
Mr. Kassover asked Mrs. Schlagel if Mr. Russo is the sole
owner.
Mrs. Schlagel
replied yes.
Mr. Kelly further
stated that once this easement is obtained, it could then be filed with the
state.
Cmsr. Garland moved a resolution authorizing the chairman
to endorse the application with regard to the Whistler Place Sewer
Rehabilitation, seconded by Cmsr. Covelli.
On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this
resolution adopted.
Cmsr. Bolduc moved a resolution authorizing the sum of
$1,000.00 for the filing of the application fee and the sum of $1,984.00 for
the stream encroachment permit for the Whistler Place Sewer Rehabilitation
Project, seconded by Cmsr. Garland.
On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this
resolution adopted.
I & I:
Mr. Kelly stated that National Watermain has prepared a
report of their findings of all areas that we requested be televised. As a result, there is about 60,000. Gallons
per day of infiltration. The cost to
repair the broken joints, etc is $104,000.00.
The amount of money that has been expended to date by National Watermain
is $130,000. The total then spent would
be $204,000. out of the $250,000. that is allotted for I & I. Mr. Carroll has asked if it would be better
to not correct the problems now found, and use the remaining money for
televising the rest of the sewer system.
Mr. Kelly then further stated that it is his recommendation that the
authority correct the problems now that have been located, as the authority may
not have the money in the future.
All commissioners agreed that the problems found now by
National Watermain should be corrected now.
Mr. Ferraioli stated that the authority could also bond to
televise the rest of the lines or wait until Pulte is completely done and see
how much money the authority has left.
Mr. Kelly then stated that National Watermain found a line
on Ringwood Ave where the pipe has actually collapsed, but it is not leaking;
however it should be fixed. This line was already re-lined once and it has
warped. The estimated cost to fix this line is $50,000. which is not included
in the work for $104,000.
Cmsr. Bolduc asked where on Ringwood?
Mr. Kelly did not know at this time, as he would have to
look at the map for the exact location.
Ringwood Ave-Phase II
Mr. Kelly stated that the Mrs. Schlagel did send Mr.
Carroll a check for our cost for this project.
However, there is still an item of work that we did not approve for
$7,000.00. The contractor will be scheduling a meeting in order to discuss it.
2. Jeffrey M.
Kassover:
Nothing further to report.
3. Charles
Ferraioli, CPA
Pulte Connections:
Mr. Ferraioli asked Mrs. Schlagel how many connections from
Pulte came in as of today?
Mrs. Schlagel replied about 217.
Mr. Ferraioli stated that as of now we would not make
budget. Hopefully in the next seven
months they will pick up. We may have to
hold up on some bills at the end of the year if there is a problem.
Plant Upgrade Expenses:
Mr. Ferraioli stated that Mrs. Schlagel called him today
advising that we do not have enough to pay the contractor next month for the
plant upgrade. We will need a least a
million. Even though we are getting a
$755,000. payment this m month that is only covering this month expenses.
As such, Mr. Carroll was
contact, who in turn called Pulte for acceleration of payments in order to pay
for upgrades. Also, we will need to call
Pulte monthly for our total bill list.
As of this evening though, we have not heard from Mr. Carroll.
Cmsr. DiMeglio asked if any new construction could come
onto our sewer system that is not in the wastewater management plan?
Mr. Kelly replied no.
The hotel and candle factory may have a problem. As everyone knows, our wastewater management
plan is not approved. Upon review of the
regional minutes the state has a lot of questions that must be addressed before
any further development can take place.
Mr. Ferraioli asked if we have promised the hotel and the
factory that we have gallonage.
Mr. Kelly replied no, it is up to the state as to whether
they approve their sewer extension permit.
The approval for Pulte has already been given, so they are fine.
Cmsr. Covelli asked if the hotel was included in the plan?
Mr. Kelly replied yes, the flow was. Even though they are a future connection,
they state may come back and say no further connections until your plan is
approved.
Re-Development Property
(Jack’s Hardware)
Cmsr. Bolduc asked what about the new strip mall that will
be going in?
Cmsr. Covelli replied that the developer is aware how many
connections are available. The developer
has the choice of working with the existing connections or files more.
Chrm. DiMeglio stated that this developer came before the
planning board. For each office that
goes in, would the developer pay for an edu?
Mrs. Schlagel replied no, it would be based upon square
footage.
Mr. Kelly replied that's correct, the connection fee would
be based upon the square footage.
Cmsr. Bolduc stated that any developer coming into town
should appear before this board. The
authority should not have to chase the developer down.
10. FINANCIAL REPORT:
Cmsr. Bolduc moved a resolution to approve the following
bills for payment when the funds of the authority are sufficient to meet them,
seconded by Cmsr. Garland:
Voucher 92 through 112
(Auto Debit-Health Benefits) $680,556.20
Payroll 13 & 14 (Processing) 5, 084.60
___________
TOTAL: $685,640.86
On roll call, all
voted yes, and the chairman declared this resolution adopted.
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 a special
account in the name of the authority to be paid to the persons, firms or
corporations in the amount of $685,640.86
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 or repairing 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.
CLOSED SESSION:
Cmsr. Covelli
moved that:
WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter
231, PO 195, (N.J.S.A. 10:4-1) permits the exclusion of the public from a
meeting in certain circumstances and;
WHEREAS, this Public Body is of the opinion that such
circumstances presently exist.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the commissioners of the
Wanaque Borough Sewerage Authority, County of Passaic, State of New Jersey as
follows:
1. The public shall
be excluded from discussion of action upon the hereinafter subject matter.
2. The general
nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows:
Contractual/Potential Litigation/Personnel
3. The commissioners
shall release and disclose to the general public the discussion and action
taken on the subject matter of the above-mentioned closed session when the
reasons for discussing and acting on the matter in closed session no longer
exists, but no later than one month of the commissioners arriving at a final
decision on the specific subject matter.
On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this
resolution adopted.
RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION:
Chairman DiMeglio
stated that there were no results to report at this time.
11. ADJOURNMENT:
Cmsr. Bolduc moved for the adjournment of this meeting,
seconded by Cmsr. Covelli.
On roll call, all voted yes, and the chairman declared this
meeting adjourned.
_________________________________
John DiMeglio, Chairman