Meeting Minutes Archive

Minutes for Regular Meeting - April 08, 2009

Present: Mr. Milam, Mr. Calloway, Mr. DiLolle, Mrs. Gledhill and Mr. Fiore.

Public in Attendance: Brad Miller and Kim Miller.

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 2009/2010 which schedule was posted on the Authority bulletin board and filed with the Township clerk on Feb. 5, 2009.”

Salute to the flag and a prayer.

A motion was made by Mr. Fiore and seconded by Mr. Calloway to open the meeting to the public. The motion passed unanimously.

Kim Miller from Level One Construction noted that he was recently awarded the contract for the Scotland Run Pump Station, he said that it has recently come to his attention that there were concerns from the Board of their ability to perform and complete this project. He said he was here to answer any complaints or concerns regarding the integrity, the character and the reputation of Level One Construction. Mr. Miller added that Level One Construction was incorporated in 1997, he said he joined forces with other known contractors from L.C. Construction and worked with them to reach the level that they have achieved today. He noted that he has worked closely with the Authority’s Engineers for many years. Mr. Miller said that in 2005 he and his son departed from L.C. Construction. Level One’s first project was with the Monroe MUA for the construction of the building at Well#8, which houses the plate settler. He said they were commended on getting the project in on time and within budget and also he recalled several visits from the MUA and from Federici and Akin and everyone was very happy with the job. Mr. Hann from Federici and Akin was instrumental in directing the job and to bring it in within budget and on time. He said the Scotland Run job is the second one for them with the MUA but is their 37th job in the four years of the company. Mr. Miller stated he is very familiar with the Scotland Run Pump Station and noted it is a deep and wet pump station, which is 20 feet. Mr. Fiore said that 20 feet was not deep. Mr. Miller said that 20 feet was deep and wet in his book and he was not looking to argue about it. Mr. Fiore said he was the only one that voted against him and said Mr. Miller knew that. Mr. Miller said there was a concern in this room about Level One Construction’s ability to be able to perform and complete the Scotland Run Pump Station and said he will answer questions later but was giving a rundown on Level One Construction. Mr. Fiore asked why the MUA had to lend them $35,000.00 the first week they started here as he never heard of advancing cash to the contractor. Mr. Fiore said he works for the MUA and that got him off on the wrong foot with Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller said that his company was never advanced money. The $35,000.00 was payment of an invoice for mobilization and insurance. Mr. Fiore said Mr. Hann stood there and tried to put me down, well I put him down and that man will never work for the MUA not as long as I’m a Board member because that man is a liar and I told him he was a liar right to his face in front of this whole Board. Mr. Miller said if I need money I will go to the bank and borrow money, no one from the MUA lent us money. Mr. Fiore said he did not say lent. At this point it turned argumentive and Mr. Milam said for everyone to calm down as this was not going to be a debate session. Mr. Miller said there is and application for payment breakdown that is submitted for approval that the Engineer submits on every single job. He added that part of the payment is for mobilization, bonds and insurance which are pre-paid before the contractor gets paid. He said it was not pre-payment to Level One, it was money earned, and every public project is handled this way. Mr. Fiore said I don’t care what Joe Federici said, because he went against me that night too, him and that liar engineer he has working for him. Mr. Milam told Mr. Fiore to stop slandering people and Mr. Fiore said he was not doing that. Mr. Miller said his question was not how he got paid for Well #8 but he is concerned about his integrity and where with all and the question of the ability of Level One to complete the contract that is in front of them, which has been signed and executed. He said in 37 jobs no one has ever questioned his ability to do the job. Mr. Fiore said that with regard to the $35,000.00, in all his years out in the street, they never gave any money up-front for anything. He said that Mr. Federici gave him some baloney. At this point Mr. Federici said he does not give the Board baloney and he does not even know what Mr. Fiore is talking about. Mr. Federici said he gives his best opinion and said he takes exception to Mr. Fiore calling George Hann a liar. Mr. Fiore said he is a liar. Mr. Federici said he was not a liar in his book. Mr. Fiore said that was not his opinion and a lot of people here feel the same way they just don’t say it. Mr. DiLolle said whatever your opinion is it is not my opinion lets get that straight right now. Mr. Fiore said that check was issued one week after they started and the only equipment he saw on the job was a backhoe and a couple shovels that was required at the time. Mr. Miller said there is a protocol and there is an agreement prior to applications or processing on any job. Mr. Milam said his issue has nothing to do with Well #8, as that is done. He said Mr. Miller’s issue is he felt the integrity of his company was bad mouthed. Mr. Milam said that the Authority is protected by bonding and the Engineer and Solicitor signed off on everything and that is what he goes by. Mr. Fiore said the plate settler has failed 100% we haven’t got a nickels worth of water out of there. Mr. Miller said before you get to far, I want you to understand. Mr. Fiore said its not your fault. Mr. Miller said then do not direct it at me and said the job was bid at 1.1 million and it got thrown out. The MUA bought the equipment directly and we were hired to install the box. Mr. Fiore said I didn’t vote on it and Mr. Miller said he did not care if he did. Mr. Miller said the contract was for Level One to install the equipment. Inside the parameters of the walls of the plate settler we had no responsibility. He said I did not realize until recently that you were not happy with the job. Mr. Miller said he was asked by the MUA if he could install a temporary pump, while they were waiting for the permanent pump to come in. Level One installed the temporary pump and did not charge the MUA even though it was not their responsibility, it was done on good faith. Mr. Fiore said he was going to let him know why he had his doubts, he said you proved something to me, after my so called friends came running to you. Mr. Fiore said when we started out with that plate settler and Mr. Miller said that is not my problem. Mr. Fiore said he was told stories that the pipe that was installed, that was blamed on the first day that it was all corroded and full of rust. Mr. Miller said the incoming pipe was from the MUA. Mr. Fiore said there was over a million dollars tied up in that and a lot of that was spent behind my back. Mr. Miller said he was approached by the Engineer to provide a price for additional concrete which we did, they approved it and we proceeded on approvals, so what did we do wrong. Mr. Fiore said you didn’t do anything wrong. At this time Mr. Miller and his son left the meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to close the meeting to the public. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to adopt the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 11, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.

Report of Engineer J. Federici

Country Motel

Mr. Federici requested Form D approval for the Country Motel.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to approve Form D for Country Motel contingent on the Engineers letter of March 11, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to adopt Resolution 33-09. RESOLUTION FOR INSTALLATION OF THE PUBLIC WATER UTILITIES FOR THE COUNTRY MOTEL PROJECT. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

The Crossings at Monroe

Mr. Federici requested Form C approval for The Crossings at Monroe located on Berlin Cross Keys Road, behind the Sam’s Club.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to approve a Form C for The Crossings at Monroe, sanitary sewer only, contingent on the Engineers letter of April 1, 2009. Mr. Fiore asked Mr. Federici how deep the line will be and Mr. Federici answered 18 feet. He also asked where the pump station will be located and Mr. Federici answered that there is no pump station, it is all gravity. The motion passed unanimously. Forest Hills Extension

Mr. Federici requested Form A approval for Forest Hills Extension for 28 single family homes located in the back of the Forest Hills development.

A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to approve a Form A for the Forest Hills Extension contingent on the Engineers letter of April 2, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.

First Bank @ Lake Plaza

Mr. Federici requested Form A, B and C for the First Bank which is located next to the Library IV on the Black Horse Pike and Lake Avenue.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to approve a Form A for the First Bank. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to approve a conditional Form B for the First Bank contingent on the Engineers letter of April 7, 2009. The motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to approve a Form C for the First Bank contingent on the Engineers letter of April 7, 2009 and also that no meter shall be installed until everything is satisfied in all the letters. Mr. Fiore said that with regard to the easement that no one can build on it or cross the water or sewer main without permission for the Authority. Mr. Federici said the Authority’s easements are written that no buildings, trees, shrubs, fences, etc. can be place on them that would impede the MUA’s ability to access the main. The motion passed unanimously.

Shore Stop 291

Mr. Federici requested Form A approval for Shore Stop 291 located on Sicklerville Road and Mink Lane for sanitary sewer only.

A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to approve Form A for Shore Stop 291 contingent on the Engineers letter of April 1, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.

Report of Executive Director J. Moore

Mr. Moore requested the Board adopt Resolution 34-09.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to adopt Resolution 34-09. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2009/10 WATER BUDGET AND WATER CAPITAL BUDGET. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

Mr. Moore requested the Board adopt Resolution 35-09.

A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to adopt Resolution 35-09. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2009/10 SEWER BUDGET AND SEWER CAPITAL BUDGET. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

Mr. Moore requested the Board adopt Resolution 36-09.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to adopt Resolution 36-09. Mr. Fiore asked Mr. Federici asked how deep is the ASR Well #11. Mr. Cossabone answered approximately 900 feet. Mr. Fiore asked if we were driving new casing down and Mr. Cossabone said that we were not doing that, we think we blew the packing apart due to back washing so it will be re-packed. Mr. Fiore said this is going to cost almost $89,000.00 and if that does not work then what are we going to do. Mr. Cossabone said that we cannot lose wells, ASR #11 and #14. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

Report of Superintendent G.P. Cossabone, Sr.

Mr. Cossabone requested for approval to go out to bid for Route 322 Booster Station.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway for approval to go out to bid for Route 322 Booster Station. Mr. Fiore asked Mr. Federici why we were spending this kind of money. Mr. Federici said the concrete booster tank is the tank and the booster pump, it is not an elevated tank, it is a ground storage tank. Mr. Fiore said he was told that it was going to be a high tank and Mr. Moore said that we do not have the funds for that and we are looking at what will be best for the community. Mr. Fiore said you gave me your word that this tank was going to be built. Mr. Moore said that it will be built we just don’t the means to do it right now. Mr. Fiore said we don’t have the means but we have $15,000 here and $50,000 there and by the end we will need 3 million dollars to build that tank and whoever gave you the estimate of 2.2 million is crazy. Mr. Moore said right now we are looking at just the Booster Station. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Cossabone also noted that Mrs. Gledhill wanted everyone to know that she thanks them for their wishes and prayers, she wanted to stay but she wasn’t feeling well.

Report of Solicitor J. Trimble

Nothing to report.

Report of Chairman Mr. Milam

Mr. Milam thanked the budget committee and the entire staff on the water and sewer budget and holding the line on everything.

Report of Board Members

Mr. Fiore

Mr. Fiore wished everyone a Happy Easter.

Report of Liaison

Mr. Garbowski

Mr. Garbowski requested to be notified when construction will begin on the Route 322 Booster Station, as he gets many questions with regard to pressure problems in that area. Mr. Moore said he would be kept in the loop.

Mr. Milam said that if there are pressure problems then we need to address it and he asked if at any time when we tested a home for pressure if there was actually a problem. Mr. Moore said there were 4 different occasions when we had a pressure complaint and we went out and tested the home the pressure was at least 48 to 50 psi. Mr. Cossabone said there was a resident, on Bluestem Avenue, that the State installed a meter on the hydrant for 10 days. He added that one day it did register at 20 psi, which is the limit, but it was during high water usage and very dry weather. Mr. Cossabone did say that it is worse in the summer, especially when there isn’t any rain.

A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to approve Investment Summary Report. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to approve Operating and Payroll Vouchers. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

A motion was made by Mr. DiLolle and seconded by Mr. Calloway to approve Project Vouchers. The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote. A motion was made by Mr. Calloway and seconded by Mr. DiLolle to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.