Present

Chairman Jerome Theobald; Vice-Chairman John Haggarty; Treasurer John Feik; Secretary James LaPoint; Assistant Secretary George Firmstone; Dan Guinther, Plant Superintendent; Tammy Jensen, Administration; Solicitor Anthony Magnotta; Mary Peters, Engineer

Absent

Assistant Treasurer James Brennan

Visitors

None

Pledge of Allegiance

Motion

On a motion made by John Feik and seconded by John Haggarty the Board approved the March 28, 2022, meeting minutes as presented.

Motion carried.

Roll Call

Mr. Firmstone, Yes                              Mr. Feik, Yes                                       Mr. LaPoint, Yes

Mr. Haggarty, Yes                               Mr. Theobald, Yes                               Mr. Brennan, Absent

Solicitor’s Report

1. Gunuskey License Agreement.  I am still awaiting finalization of the Deed of Easement with the Attorney Waldron’s office.  The major delay appears to be acquiring the consent of the railroad for use of the railway crossing for access purposes for the Gunuskey family.
2. Northeast Infrastructure, LLC/Cherry Ridge Realty, Inc.  There is no change in status from last month.  We are still awaiting a reply to my correspondence from Attorney Bugaj.
3. White Mills Project.  I will defer to Tammy Jensen, Office Administrator for an update on the White Mills Project and its finalization.  From the legal perspective it is my belief that only Mary Irwin has not made connection to the system.
4. EPA.  The EPA had an informal meeting with the Chairman and Plant Manager, and the Plant Manager has provided EPA with updated information.  I will defer to their comments regarding the meeting since I was not in attendance at the meeting.

Engineer’s Report

1. 1) RULES and REGULATIONS
2. Updated Exhibits
   1. 2) CRESTMONT SEWER MAIN PROJECT
   2. USDA Funding
      1. Owner-Engineer’s Agreement Revisions - Approved
      2. Owner-Engineer’s Agreement – Amendment 1 - $23,000 – Approved
      3. Design
         1. Bidding - Contingent on RUS Review

(1)  Environmental Review

(a)    PHMC - Cleared

1. Permits
   1. PennDOT Permit – Issued
   2. NPDES Stormwater – Submitted

(1)  Under DEP Technical Review

1. Borough Road Opening Permit - Issued
2. 3) Church street sewer main replacement
3. Permits
   1. PennDOT – Minor Items for Permit Issuance (LOC, Revised M-950AA)
4. 4) WHITE MILLS SEWER INSTALLATION PROJECT (USDA RUS)
5. Outstanding Items:
   1. USDA Close Out
6. 5) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTs (PENNVEST)
7. DEP Final Inspection occurred 12/16/2021
   1. 2018 Sewer Main Replacement
   2. Cliff Street Area
   3. Lackawaxen River Rehabilitation Project
   4. SBR Rehabilitation Project
8. 6) EPA – notice of violation
9. Opportunity to Confer Meeting
   1. 7) toxic reduction evaluation study
      1. Kleinfelder TRE Final Report Submitted to DEP (June 29, 2020) – No Response to Date

Updated exhibits for the Authority Rules & Regulations were reviewed. No action was taken as it was decided to have the Authority Engineer and Dan review all of the exhibits.  Church Street Sewer Project will go out to bid as soon as the PennDOT permit is issued.  DEP will be given the SBR tanks draining schedule. The project is proposed to go from June through September. The decant tank and SBR #1 will be done first, then SBR 2 and 3.  Mary Peters has left voicemails at DEP to discuss the Toxic Reduction Evaluation Study submitted to DEP on June 29, 2020. The calls have not yet been returned. Data has been submitted to EPA as a follow up to their Notice of Violation. The Authority is receiving conflicting views from EPA and DEP regarding the Authority’s NPDES permit metal limits. Dan is going to visit the Mountain Top Sewer Authority to obtain information on painting at the WWTP in damp conditions.  Information will be put on the Authority’s website regarding CSO discharges as permitted by DEP.

Collection System Report – No report

Plant Report

• The monthly discharge monitoring and plant reports were reviewed. 
• The vac unit has arrived.
• Manhole sealing will begin weather permitting. Ten kits have been purchased.
• The SOP for the collection system is under review.
• The Engineer’s for a potential retail store on Fair Avenue in Honesdale has requested a sewer allocation letter.  

Administration Report

• The monthly invoices and financial reports were reviewed.
• 106 delinquent sewer rent letters have been sent this month totaling $31,854.04.
• Three Municipal Liens totaling $1,123.22 will be filed with the Wayne County Prothonotary.
• Two water terminations are scheduled on April 21^st and three on May 26^th.
• Three Sheriff Sales are scheduled through June.
• Several customers have applied and are receiving grant funds through the LIHWAP program for past due water and sewer accounts. Authority customers have received $6,428.08 in grant funds.
• An additional EDU was discovered at 423 Terrace Street. The property owner was sent a connection permit. The property owner has paid the tapping fee for the additional unit.
• One property remains to be connected in White Mills. Legal action has been taken and a municipal lien has been placed on the property. The property owner has applied for connection assistance through USDA.
• Sheriff Sale correspondence has been sent to several customers with delinquent balances. One customer began an ACH payment plan.
• The 2021 Financial Report and Audit was reviewed.
• A Letter of Credit was obtained for the Church Street PennDOT HOP.

Motion

On a motion made by James LaPoint and seconded by John Feik the Board approved the monthly invoices for payment as presented.  Motion carried.

Roll Call

Mr. Feik, Yes                                       Mr. LaPoint, Yes                                  Mr. Haggarty, Yes

Mr. Theobald, Yes                               Mr. Brennan, Absent                           Mr. Firmstone, Yes

Motion

On a motion made by John Haggarty and seconded by George Firmstone the Board approved the 2021 Financial Statements and Auditors Report as presented.  Motion carried.

Roll Call

Mr. LaPoint, Yes                                  Mr. Haggarty, Yes                               Mr. Theobald, Yes

Mr. Brennan, Absent                           Mr. Firmstone, Yes                              Mr. Feik, Yes

Motion

On a motion made by George Firmstone and seconded by John Feik the Board approved the addition of the USDA Project Funding Closeout Document to the Agenda.  Motion carried.

Roll Call

Mr. Haggarty, Yes                               Mr. Theobald, Yes                               Mr. Brennan, Absent

Mr. Firmstone, Yes                              Mr. Feik, Yes                                       Mr. LaPoint, Yes

Motion

On a motion made by James LaPoint and seconded by John Haggarty the Board approved the USDA Project Funding Closeout Document cancelling the remaining $160,852.05 grant funds allocated to the Authority.  Motion carried.

Roll Call

Mr. Theobald, Yes                               Mr. Brennan, Absent                           Mr. Firmstone, Yes

Mr. Feik, Yes                                       Mr. LaPoint, Yes                                  Mr. Haggarty, Yes

The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2022.

James LaPoint, Secretary