WANAQUE VALLEY REGLIONAL SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

WANAQUE VALLEY

REGIONAL SEWERAGE AUTHORITY MEETING

MINUTES

Regular Meeting

May 28, 2008

The WANAQUE VALLEY REGIONAL SEWERAGE AUTHORITY conducted a Regular Meeting, which commenced at 6:15 PM, in the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority Administration Building, Wanaque, New Jersey with Chairman, Frank Covelli, presiding.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Mrs. Maas, Recording Secretary read the following announcement:

This is the Regular Meeting of the Wanaque Valley Regional Authority. In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Law, notices of the meeting were furnished to the respective Municipal Clerks of Ringwood, Wanaque and West Milford together with a request that an additional copy of the Notice be placed in each Municipal Building. Notices were also sent to the following newspapers: the Herald News, the Trends and the Record. A copy of the notice will be filed with the minutes of this meeting.

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

The Chairman led the Salute to the Flag.

The Chairman stated that before he asked the Recording Secretary to take attendance; he asked for everyone to keep Commissioner Tom Bigger in their prayers as he is going through some tough medical issues and can certainly use our blessings.

ROLL CALL

Commissioners present: Andrew Bolduc, Robert Hadley, Robert Moshman, Patrick Murray and Frank Covelli

Commissioners absent: Thomas Bigger

Also present: Christopher Erd, Esq., Williams, Caliri, Miller, & Otley

James Kelly, P.E., Boswell Engineering

Gregory White, Facilities Manager

Margaret Maas, Recording Secretary

REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA

The Chairman stated that there needed to be an amendment of the Consent Agenda. He stated that there will be a Closed Session this evening. The Chairman stated that Resolution #44-08 - Ringwood Board of Education Agreement approval will be removed, pending the results of the Closed Session.

Therefore, Resolution #44 -08 will change to, Authorization to go into Closed Session.

The Chairman asked if there were any other changes to be made to the Consent Agenda. Upon receiving no further responses, the Chairman asked for the Facilities Manager’s report.

REPORTS

Facilities Manager

Noise & Odor Control Report - Update

Mr. White reported that there were no additions to the report. He stated that all odor control units are functioning well.

The Chairman asked Mr. White when he would be checking the media again. Mr. White responded that he would be checking the media in all units in six months.

Total Phosphorus

Mr. White stated that there is a letter in everyone's folders from Lawrence J. Baier, Director, Division of Watershed Management, N J D E P regarding an amendment to the Northeast Water Quality Management Plan (NWQMP) with respect to total phosphorus in the Non-Tidal Passaic River Basin, Pompton Lake and Ramapo River.

REPORTS

Facilities Manager

Total Phosphorus Cont.

Mr. White stated there have been several TMDL studies performed in the Non-Tidal Passaic River, Wanaque Reservoir and Greenwood Lake, over the past several years. Mr. White reported that the results are; In order to insure that there is compliance with the surface water quality standards for total phosphorus in all these water bodies; the state is lowering the total phosphorus limitation to surface water dischargers, of which we are one, from 1.0 mg/liter to 0.4 mg/liter. Mr. White stated that when we receive our renewal NJPDES Permit, will have a total phosphorus limit of 0.4 mg/liter.

Mr. White stated that this will not cause any problem for our Authority as we, have been averaging 0.15 mg/liter for many years. Discussion followed.

Energy Audit Report – Follow Up

Mr. White reported that he and Chairman Covelli met, as a follow-up, with representatives of the P M K Associates. Mr. White reported that they discussed their recommendations, i.e. replacing the light fixtures, the capacitor bank issue, the geo-thermal heating and cooling and the procurement of natural gas and electric. Mr. White stated that they're going to come back to us with some further information. Mr. White stated that with regard to the procurement; they recommend that we become part of a purchasing group/ co-op. Mr. White reported that there are groups already in place, but they recommend we wait as they are reaching out to other wastewater and water facilities to see if they would be interested in creating a new group of purchasers.

Chairman Covelli added that this is a specialization for them in terms of putting these groups together, and what both Mr. White and I came away from the meeting was that you would want to build a co-op of sufficient size to get the best discount from the providers. He stated that what you want is many bidders but you do not want a co-op so big that it becomes cumbersome and that it introduces too many variations for the bidders.

Chairman Covelli stated that he suggested that they reach out to the Borough of Wanaque and the other area Local Sewer Authorities. Mr. White stated that he provided them with a list of contact people that might be interested in becoming a part of such a co-op. Chairman Covelli stated that the Regional would serve as lead agency on this and in fact we could actually tag on a small administration charge, would still be a savings for the participating entities, but would provide a little reduction in costs for this Authority.

The Chairman stated that they would keep the Board informed as more information becomes available.

Mr. White stated with regard to their recommendation on replacing the light fixtures we have already begun; the control room and the lunchroom have already been completed, and we will be starting to change the other areas where the lights stay on the greatest length of time.

Ringwood Board of Education Agreement

Mr. White stated that we will be dealing with this item in Closed Session and there may or may not be action taken upon our return to Open Session.

Request for Tour of Plant

Mr. White reported that he received a call from a Wanaque Borough Grammar School teacher. She stated she would like to bring her class here to the Authority for a tour on Tuesday, June 10th. Mr. White stated that he wanted to make the Commissioners aware of this request and seek their authorization. Mr. White stated he would also like to invite any of the Commissioners to be present and join in the tour. He stated that it is a lot of fun having the kids here. Mr. White asked if anyone had any questions or concerns regarding the tour.

Chairman Covelli suggested Mr. White request for a Certificate of Insurance from the school and have them name us as an additional insured.

REPORTS

Facilities Manager

Plant Flow

Mr. White reported that we are averaging about 1 MGD, it is drying out slowly. He stated that the plant is running very well; there are no problems whatsoever. Mr. White reported that the Liquid Waste acceptance is still going very strong, trucks are rolling in and the haulers are very busy.

Accounting

The Chairman asked Mr. Erd if he would be a pinch hitting for Mr. Ferraioli with regard to the Bond Resolution. Mr. Erd stated yes he would, but he is in need of some documents and Mr. White will be getting them for him.

The Chairman stated that he would then ask for the report from our Engineer, while Mr. White gets the documents he needs.

Engineering

Mr. Kelly reported that as reported at last month's meeting he stated that he was scheduled to receive bids on the Additional Aeration Program on yesterday, May 27^th. Mr. Kelly stated that it did not happen. Mr. Kelly reiterated that the Additional Aeration Program is a portion of the upcoming Capital Improvements Project that we separated out from the balance of the project in an effort to try to get it into operation for this summer season.

Mr. Kelly reported that there has been a bidding complication. He stated there is a new law that went into effect last year which states that bids cannot be received on Monday's or the day after a holiday. Mr. Kelly stated that unfortunately there was a miscommunication on this and the only recourse we have is to put the bid out again. Mr. Kelly stated that if we do put it out to bid again it will push everything back a month. Mr. Kelly said the best we could then hope for is to have the project completed by the end of August or early September.

Mr. Kelly stated that after discussions with Mr. White and Chairman Covelli, we feel it would be the best interests of the Authority to not re-bid this project; but to roll it into the main Capital Improvements Project. Mr. Kelly stated that it is his recommendation that the Authority move the Additional Aeration project back into the original Capital Improvements Project. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Kelly stated that the next meeting he will be prepared to report on the proposal outlining the remaining projects.

The Chairman asked if anyone had any questions of Mr. Kelly. Upon hearing none the Chairman stated that we will go back to Mr. Erd for the Accounting Report.

Accounting

Bond Resolution and Advertisement

Mr. Erd reported that this is Bond Resolution is entitled “Supplemental Resolution to the General Bond Resolution of the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewerage Authority authorizing the issuance of two different Sewer Revenue Bonds”.

Mr. Erd stated that this resolution would authorize the issuance of two sets of Bonds, which are designated in this Resolution as 2008A and 2008B. He stated that the purpose of the 2008A Bonds is to raise funds for the Capital Improvement projects that you have been considering and the 2008B Bonds are to refinance approximately $6,500,000.00 in existing obligations. Mr. Erd stated that this resolution would authorize the issuance of the Bonds and the next step would be to publish the Notice of the Bond Resolution.

Mr. Erd stated that it should be noted that the 2008B Bonds may not be able to be issued at this time, due to the fact that in order to refinance existing obligations, there must be a 3 percent savings realized. He stated with the market and the interest rates being what they are at this time that may not be possible. We may have to wait a while on this issue.

Mr. White stated that the Bond Resolution and advertisement is # 42-08 on the Consent Agenda. Discussion ensued.

REPORTS

Accounting

Bond Resolution and Advertisement

Upon the conclusion of the discussions The Chairman asked if there were any questions for Mr. Erd. Upon hearing none the Chairman asked for the Legal Report.

Legal

Mr. Erd stated that his report will reflect what he has earlier reported and the balance to be addressed in a Closed Session later this evening. Two of the topics to be discussed the Ringwood Board of Education Agreement and pending litigation.

OLD BUSINESS

Finance Committee Report

The Chairman asked Commissioner Moshman, Chairman of the Finance Committee if he would like to make a report at this time or defer to the closed session to be a held later this evening. Commissioner Moshman stated he would make his report at the Closed Session.

The Chairman asked if there was any other Old Business to come before this Authority. Upon hearing none he moved on to New Business.

NEW BUSINESS

Personnel Committee Report

Victor Calabrese - Mr. White stated that it is his pleasure to report that one of our employees, Victor Calabrese, recently attained his S-4 Wastewater Operators License. He stated that this is a huge accomplishment. Mr. White stated that he congratulated him via letter. Mr. White stated that Mr. Calabrese is also due an increase in hourly wage for obtaining that license. Mr. White stated we need to approve a rate increase for Mr. Calabrese from $27.36 per hour to $27.86 per hour.

The Chairman asked if Mr. Calabrese was the first to attain this license. Mr. White stated he was not sure- but to the best of his knowledge, he will be the only other employee, other than himself, to hold an S-4 License.

The Chairman commented that it was very nice to hear that our employees are working so diligently to attain these licenses and offered his congratulations also.

The Chairman asked if there was any other New Business to come before this Authority. Upon hearing none the Chairman asked for a motion to open the Public Portion of the meeting.

MOTION Moved by Andrew Bolduc, 2nd by Patrick Murray to adopt a resolution authorizing the opening of the Public Portion of this meeting.

The Chairman asked for all those in favor to signify so by saying Aye.

Commissioners Bolduc, Hadley, Moshman, Murray, and Covelli all stated Aye. There were no Nays or Abstentions. Commissioner Bigger was absent.

MOTION CARRIED

The Chairman stated that anyone wishing to address this Board, to please step up to the microphone and identify themselves for the record.

Ted Roberto, 8101 Warrens Way, Wanaque Reserve. Mr. Roberto commented that that he noticed the Authority has done some tree planting. He asked if someone could tell him how much additional planting there would be and who would be paying for the trees.

The Chairman stated that that was the total of what will be done and that any further landscaping work would be a part of the next phase of construction, which probably would be at least a year away.

PUBLIC PORTION Cont.

Ted Roberto, Cont.

Mr. Roberto asked who paid for the trees. The Chairman stated the Authority paid for the trees.

Dan Mahler, Mayor of Wanaque - Mayor Mahler stated that he had a few questions on the Ringwood Board of Education Agreement. He asked Mr. White if the Authority provides them with professional services. Mr. White stated that yes we provide them with water and wastewater operations and laboratory services. He asked Mr. White to describe those services and how much time the employees spent there.

Mr. White stated there are four schools in Ringwood, two have waste water treatment plants and all four have water treatment systems. Mr. White stated that it requires someone to be at the schools for approximately one and one-half hours daily. Mr. White said that we do basic operations and inspections daily and we are required to do laboratory work every day. There was discussion on the fees that we're charging RBOE and how that compared to the current market prices. There was discussion on how Mr. White came up with the fees that we are charging RBOE.

Commissioner Moshman informed the Mayor, this topic has already been noted in as being a part of the Closed Session to be held later this evening. Commissioner Moshman stated that to get into this discussion now in open session would be inappropriate at this time.

The Chairman stated that , not wanting to put words in your mouth, you want to make sure that the rate payers that are funding this facility are not subsidizing some other operation . The Chairman asked the Mayor if that was a fair statement. The Mayor stated that, yes that was a fair statement . Discussion continued.