Meeting Minutes Archive
Minutes for Regular Meeting - November 05, 2008
Present: Mr. Milam, Mr. DiLolle, Mr. Calloway, Mrs. Gledhill and Mr. Fiore.
---------------------
Public in attendance: Joseph Alberici, Arleen Alberici, Kathleen Keating and Bill Keating.
Salute to the flag and a prayer.
---------------------
Opening Statement: Mrs. Denneny read the Opening Statement, “Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, I hereby announce that adequate notice of this meeting, as required by said Act has been provided by adopting a schedule of Regular Meetings for the year 2008/2009 which schedule was posted on the Authority bulletin board and filed with the Township Clerk on Feb. 7, 2008.”
A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. Fiore to open the meeting to the public. The motion passed unanimously.
Joseph Alberici asked about a property that he owns in the township that has overdue water bills and when is there a cutoff point when a notice is sent.
Mr. Moore told Mr. Alberici that he had spoken with him and his wife on numerous occasions and had explained thoroughly the process.
Mr. Alberici said he didn’t quite understand.
Mr. Moore said he would explain it again. He said that the benchmark for shut offs is $200.00.
Mr. Alberici said he was told that is was $150.00 and Mr. Moore explained that at one time it was and it was recently increased. He added that the reason it went up was because the rates went up so naturally the shut off amount needs to raised.
Mr. Moore said that $200.00 is the shut off amount for each account and there are no exceptions. He said that the resident is notified by letter and also a door knob notice.
Mrs. Alberici asked what happens if the bill is not paid and Mr. Moore explained that ultimately the homeowner is responsible for the bill and if it is not paid then a lien is put on the house.
Mr. Moore added that the MUA is a friendly operation and not confrontational but that is the rule and rules are rules.
Mr. Fiore said that this utility and Mr. Moore are very compassionate and will help in every way but we cannot break the rules because if we do it for one then we have to do it for others.
Mr. Alberici said there is a 10 month history of non-payment of bills and questioned who establishes the rules.
Mr. Fiore said that the Board determines the Rules and Regulations and Mr. Moore enforces them.
Mrs. Alberici commented that the tenants are not respecting their home. Mr. Milam said that they were getting off the track here and the Authority has nothing to do with that. He further explained that the rules as Mr. Moore explained are correct and he does work to help everyone but we cannot help out with anyone’s tenants.
Mr. Alberici said the reason they came was to confirm the fact that they are 100% responsible for the water bill; if the tenant defaults.
Mr. Milam explained that there are other landlords that are facing the same problem but we have the rules that must be adhered to.
A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mrs. Gledhill to close the meeting to the public. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Mr. Fiore and seconded by Mr. Calloway to adopt the minutes of the Regular Meeting on October 8, 2008. The motion passed unanimously.
---------------------
Report of Engineer: J. Federici
Nothing to report at this time.
---------------------
Report of Executive Director: J. Moore
Mr. Moore requested approval for a Public Hearing to be held on December 10, 2008 to revise the water and sewer rates and connection permit rates.
A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mrs. Gledhill to approve a Public Hearing to be held on December 10, 2008 to revised the water and sewer unit assessment, water and sewer connection permit fee and the residential, industrial and commercial monthly sewer rate. Mr. Fiore said we have to raise the rates but we don’t like to and this is a legitimate company and we try to help people. He noted that many ways were looked at this and the rates have to be raised and complimented Mr. Moore and Mrs. Ryan the Comptroller. Mr. Milam asked for an explanation as to the increase. Mr. Moore explained that the connection permit fees are for any new people coming into the system. The sewer connection permit will go from $2650.00 to $3000.00 and the water connection permit will increase from $2500.00 to $2600.00. He added that these numbers are calculated from flow and there are State statutes that we must follow. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
---------------------
Report of Superintendent: G. P. Cossabone, Sr.
Nothing to report at this time.
---------------------
Report of Solicitor: J. Armano
Nothing to report at this time.
---------------------
Report of Board Members: Mr. DiLolle thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers and said he father came through the operation with flying colors.
Mr. Fiore asked about Carriage Glen Pump Station. Mr. Moore said that we are still working on it and it is going in a favorable direction. He added that there had been a test on Monday and there has been considerable improvement.
Mr. Fiore asked what the pressure was. Mr. Cossabone said that it went up from 2.6 - 2.7 and the pumpage went from 170 gpm to 230 gpm.
---------------------
Report of Liaison: Mr. Sebastian
Mr. Sebastian said that anyone listening to the news last night knows that we have the same people on Council for the next few years. He had nothing more to report at this time.
A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to approve the Investment Summary. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Fiore and seconded by Mrs. Gledhill to approve Operating and Payroll Vouchers. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
A motion was made by Mr. Fiore and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to approve Project Vouchers. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
---------------------
Adjourn meeting: A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. Fiore to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
