The Telford Borough Authority Meeting held this date was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Timothy Hagey, with the following members in attendance: Abram Diehl, John Harrell, David Musselman and Robert Nice. Also present were Manager Mark Fournier, Public Works Director Gary Yoder, Solicitor Mark Weand and Recording Secretary Megan McShane. Engineer Patrick DiGangi was absent.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the February 20, 2014 Authority meeting were approved unanimously (5-0) by a Nice/Musselman motion.

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE:

 

There were no comments from the audience.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

1.         TMDL Update

 

Solicitor Mark Weand reminded the Authority Board of EPA’s March 21^st deadline to issue “formal documentation evidencing a final decision on Plaintiff’s request for reconsideration”.

 

2.         Online/Credit Card Bill Payment

 

Manager Mark Fournier reported that he and the staff looked into options for customers to use ACH or credit cards for water & sewer payments; they met with Freedom Systems, our software company, who works with the Municipay system.

 

We received a proposal from Freedom containing pricing for conversion services, training and software modifications for Utility Billing,  Cashiering and Financial applications, with or without a cash drawer. These proposals were included in the Authority Board packets.

 

John Harrell asked Mr. Fournier why the Authority would need another workstation. Mr. Fournier explained that the staff currently does not have the capabilities that it would need at the computers we currently have. The staff would need what’s called a cashier center that has the capability to swipe cards for payment, and can route the funds in the system to where they need to go.

 

Mr. Fournier informed the Authority Board that this expenditure is not in this year’s budget, and would cost approximately $8,000.00. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to move forward with implementing the new system in time for the November or February billing.

 

3.         DCED Grant – Commonwealth Financing Authority

 

Manager Mark Fournier informed the Authority Board that grant money up to $200,000 is currently available through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Grants are available for the redevelopment, reuse, or revitalization of previously developed land, development of undeveloped land, and projects which construct, expand, or improve water and wastewater infrastructure related to business development.

 

Engineer Patrick DiGangi communicated to Mr. Fournier earlier in the week that he thinks the Authority would have a good shot at getting a grant for the proposed West Broad Street water line project and sewer line rehabilitation.

      

The deadline for submission of the application is the end of April. It was the consensus of the Board that the staff and engineer move forward with the application.

 

4.         Secant Medical, Inc. – Conditional Approval

 

Secant Medical submitted land development plans for a project at 551 E. Church Road. The project is located in the LI – Limited Industrial Zoning District and proposes the use, LI-7 Research Facilities, in an existing 120,000 square foot building. In addition, a 566 square foot building addition, parking area improvements and stormwater improvements are proposed on this 11.844 acre lot.

 

A Harrell/Musselman motion carried unanimously (5-0) approving the Secant Medical Land Development Application pursuant to all conditions being met in the two CKS Engineers Borough and Authority review letters dated March 14, 2014 and the Bucks County Planning Commission review letter dated March 18, 2014.

 

REPORTS:

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: accepted as presented

 

WATER DEPARTMENT REPORT: We received a written report for the file.

 

Public Works Director Gary Yoder informed the Authority Board that he obtained pricing for chlorinator alarms for Wells 1, 3 & 5, per the recommendation of DEP in their annual inspection of the wells. The cost of the installation of these alarms would be $8,000. It was the consensus of the Board that the staff proceed with getting the chlorinator alarms installed.

 

Mr. Yoder also informed the Board that there was significant damage to the roof on the public works garage, from the amount of snow we’ve gotten; pipes that came through the roof were damaged. The cost to install new catches and new vents is $6,500.

 

COLLECTION REPORT: We received a written report for the file.

 

WASTEWATER TREATMENT REPORT: We received a written report for the file.

 

Manager Mark Fournier reported that there were 2 ammonia violations reported on the February, 2014 DMR.

 

PTWA REPORT: We received a written report for the file.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT: We received a written report for the file.

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT: We received a written report for the file.

 

Manager Mark Fournier reported that we now have signed Agreements with Indian Ridge Provisions, who will be moving forward with their expansion project. Water & sewer tapping fees have also been paid, in addition to their building permit fee.

 

MANAGER’S REPORT: We received a written report for the file.

 

Mr. Fournier reported that the Authority received approval for our docket renewal with DRBC.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

Payment of the bills and requisitions for the month of February in the amount of $ 152,104.037 was approved unanimously (5-0) by a Harrell/Diehl motion.

 

Signing of the checks was approved unanimously (5-0) by a Harrell/Diehl motion.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm with a Diehl/Nice motion.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

John Harrell

Secretary