Caln Township Municipal Authority
253 Municipal Drive
Thorndale, PA 19372
Monday August 26, 2024
7:00 PM
Those Present and Absent:
George Chambers – Chairperson (Absent)
Paul Mullin – Vice Chairperson
William A. Schew – Treasurer
Tony DiSario – Assistant Treasurer/Assistant Secretary
Noel Bernard – Secretary
Scot Gill – Wastewater Department Director
Don Vymazal – Township Manager
Jennylyn Tanedo – Recording Secretary
Ross Bickhart – Gilmore & Associates, CTMA Engineer
Vince Pompo- LambMcErlane, CTMA Solicitor (Absent)
Call to Order
The meeting of the Caln Township Municipal Authority was called to order by Mr. Mullin at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in person at the Caln Township Municipal Building Meeting Room located at 253 Municipal Drive Thorndale, Pa and via Zoom. The regular scheduled meeting of the Caln Township Municipal Authority was advertised in the Daily Local News on December 27, 2023, and the agenda was posted on the Caln Township Website and Lobby on August 23, 2024. Copies of the Agenda were made available to the public.
Minutes of the July 22, 2024, Meeting
Mr. Mullin called for additions or corrections to the July minutes. There were none. After discussion, Mr. DiSario motioned, seconded by Ms. Bernard, to adopt the July 2024 minutes, as presented. The vote passed 3 to 1 with Mr. Schew Abstaining.
Public Comment
Mr. Mullin called for public comments. There were none.
Act 537 Plan/ Additional Capacity Update/ Dara Update
Mr. Gill presented to the Board a spreadsheet showing the status of pending projects that will be needing capacity in the future, the 52-week average chart and Dara weekly flow report. Mr. Chambers updated the Board via email regarding DARA meeting, according to Mr. Chambers Mr. Mays planned to meet in the coming weeks with the West Whiteland and Uwchlan Township managers to discuss the infrastructure projects and possible expansions as well at the whole East Caln capacity.
I/I Reduction Program
Mr. Gill informed the Board that the Caln Interceptor Phase 5 Repair Project Contract #CAL-01-22 has been completed and Gilmore is currently working on finalizing punch list items, payment requests and project closeout. Mr. Gill added that the contractor came back in June and completed all the necessary ground repairs in the wet areas. The department is still waiting for the closeout documents from the contractor.
Mr. Gill presented to the Board Change Order #1 Contract #CAL-01-23 for the Final Adjustment of Quantities for Contract Closeout. After discussion, Mr. Schew made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bernard, to allow for the Final Adjustment of Quantities for the Contract Closeout. The vote passed 4.0.
Mr. Gill presented to the Board the 2nd payment request from Sewer Specialty Services Company Inc. for contract #CAL-01-23 in the amount of $57,163.50. After discussion, Mr. DiSario made a motion seconded by Ms. Bernard to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to authorize the Sewer Specialty Services Company Inc. 2nd payment request for Contract# CAL-01-23 in the amount of $57,163.50 contingent that all work is completed to the satisfaction of the Authority Engineer. The vote passed 4.0.
Mr. Gill informed the Board that Gilmore is currently working on assembling the bid pack for 2025 Grouting Project#CAL-01-24 with an anticipated bid opening of November 2024. Mr. Gill added that the sewer repair project will involve the testing of all pipe joints and grouting of joints that fail the test approximately 4,100 linear feet of 8” diameter gravity sewer.
Caln Meetinghouse/Granger Lane Project
Mr. Gill informed the Board that the Caln Meetinghouse/Granger Lane project which consists of installing approximately 1,300’ of 8” sewer main with associated manholes and lateral subs to serve 33 existing homes and will provide a reliable new public wastewater collection system for a neighborhood in need of the utility. Mr. Gill added that survey work began on March 8, 2024, and the department scheduled Pipe Data View to televise the existing line on Granger Lane which was on March 28, 2024. Mr. Gill stated that Soft Dig of the existing gas main crossing located on Caln Meeting House Road was completed on April 25, 2024. Mr. Gill presented to the Board a draft of the letter that will be sent out to the properties that will benefit from the project, inviting them to a meeting on September 16th so they can learn more about the project.
Raye Road Emergency Repair Update
Mr. Gill updated the Board on the sanitary sewer main that has been exposed by the erosion of the stream banks in 2 locations between Raye Road and Norma Drive. Mr. Gill stated that it was determined that the best approach would be doing the Phase 1 emergency stabilization project this year that consists of an emergency stabilization of the existing sewer main by concrete encasing the existing main in 2 locations and armoring the stream banks in those locations with Riprap to prevent further erosion which is anticipated of being completed by October 15th. Mr. Gill than stated that Phase 2 will involve the relocation, lowering and installation of a new sanitary sewer main and associated appurtenances, so that the exposed laterals will be below the stream bed and encased in concrete, which we anticipate being completed in 2025. Mr. Bickhart then went over the plan for the emergency stabilization project anticipated for this year and informed the Board that he sent it out to several contractors for pricing Mr. Gill also informed the Board that since last month’s meeting, representatives from the authority met with the adjoining property owners to go over the project and to explain to them that we may be reaching out to them for an additional permanent easement in order to make the phase 2 repairs next year. Mr. Gill also stated that a temporary access easement agreement will be needed from the property owners of 3204 Raye Road which will need to be signed prior to starting phase 1 portion of the project this year. Mr. Gill presented to the Board the 3204 Raye Road Temporary Access Easement Agreement for phase 1 portion of the project. After discussion, Mr. DiSario made a motion, seconded by Mr. Schew to authorize the Staff and Authority Engineer to proceed with the Phase 1 Emergency stabilization of the existing sewer main as presented at not to exceed cost of $75,000.00, unless otherwise approved by the Board and to authorize the Vice Chairperson to sign the Construction, Temporary Access and Sanitary Sewer Easement Agreement for 3204 Raye Road and the Contractors Services Agreement in the form as presented and approved by the Authority’s Solicitor. The vote passed 4.0.
Open Hand Realty (Kia Auto Leasing Project)
Mr. Gill presented to the Board the Open Hand Realty (Kia Auto Leasing Project) Financial Security Agreement for the On-Site Sewer Improvements. After discussion, Mr. Schew made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bernard to authorize the Vice Chairperson to sign the Financial Security Agreement for the On-Site Open Hand Realty (Kia Auto Leasing Project) Sewer Improvements in the form as presented subject to receiving the original LOC prior to the CTMA’s September 23, 2024, meeting. The vote passed 4.0.
HWG Thorndale LLC (3025-3035 Zinn Road)
Mr. Gill informed with the Board that HWG Thorndale LLC is proposing to improve the existing 10,500 square foot commercial medical office building and intends to redevelop if for child day care use which is located at 3025-3035 Zinn Road more specifically identified as Parcel #39-4-91.16A (Parcel A) and 39-4-91.16B (Parcel B). Currently the Board allocates three (3) commercial EDUs and based on the review of the proposed water usage it was determined that a total of 4 commercial EDUs is needed. Mr. Gill also mentioned that on February 5, 2007, DEP approved under DEP code #1-5912-210-3J Sewage Planning for Parcel 2 (vacant lot) for 8 commercial EDUs for a proposed one-story commercial medical office building for use as a family practice, which the EDUs were never purchased, and the building was never constructed so the capacity will be relinquished as part of the Relinquishment Agreement. After discussion, Mr. Schew made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bernard, to authorize the Vice Chairperson to sign the enclosed Sewer Capacity Reallocation, Extension and Maintenance Agreement and the attached Relinquishment Agreement in the form as presented. The vote passed 4.0.
2025 Budget Presentation
Mr. Gill presented to the Board the 2025 proposed Sewer Operating, Capital and Act57 proposed budget and addressed Mr. Chambers questions that were sent to the Board by email. After discussion, Ms. Bernard made a motion, seconded by Mr. DiSario, to authorize the staff to forward the 2025 proposed CTMA budget to the Board of Commissioners. The vote passed 4.0.
Financials; Sewer Fund,
Mr. Gill reviewed the sewer financial summary and the revenues and expenditures for the Sewer Operating Fund for the month of July 2024 and the balances in Act 57 and Sewer Capital Funds. After discussion, Mr. Schew made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bernard, to accept the July financials, as submitted. The vote passed 4.0.
Portnoff Summary of Collections Report
Mr. Gill presented to the Board the Summary of Collections Report submitted by Portnoff showing past due, prior years outstanding balances that were sent to Portnoff Law Association for Collections. Ms. Swan informed the Board that the Finance Department will be pretty much caught up by next week on the prior year delinquent mailings and by the next meeting all the certified letters will be mailed out. Ms. Swan also informed the Board that she will be sending out the remaining outstanding balance to the Board.
Penalty Waiver Request Update
Mr. Gill presented to the Board the 2024 penalty waiver request from the finance department and informed the Board that there are 2 penalty waiver requests that were made in the month of July.
Mr. Gill informed with the Board that Finance department is requesting the CTMA to consider a refund in the amount of $72.50 for a penalty waiver for 5 billing cycle for 356 Essex Street where the property was transferred, and the bill was incorrectly being sent to the wrong address. After discussion, the Board agreed to table it to the next meeting.
Director’s Report
Mr. Gill discussed his Director’s Report and noted a list of current projects which the Department is working on and their progress.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. DiSario made a motion, seconded by Mr. Schew, to adjourn the August 26, 2024, meeting at 8:26 pm. The vote passed 4.0.
Respectfully Submitted
Jennylyn Tanedo,
Recording Secretary
