The meeting of the Hamburg Municipal Authority was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with Chairman Steve Smith presiding. The meeting started at 7:00 p.m.

Members Absent - Stanley E. Dietrich

Denise L. Clare-Secretary

A motion was made by Judy Romig and seconded by Roger Kuhns to approve the June minutes as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes- Fink, Blefgen, Kuhns, Romig

Nayes- None

Dave Fink asked about the wording on page 70 of the minutes in the engineer’s report…the impoundment dam has been to empty…the secretary stated this was directly from the report and not typed incorrectly.

None

The Trustee Treasurer’s, Administrative Treasurer’s and Sewer B,R, & I reports were reviewed.

ACCT. # Account Name Bal.-May-06 Credits Debits Bal.-Jun.06

1576025802 Water-1995 Settlement Fund $ 0.00 $ 0.00

1576025820 Water-1995 Revenue Fund $ 0.00 $ 0.00

1576025839 Water-1995 Debt Service $188,470.20 $ 651.65 ($188,092.50) $ 1,029.35

1576025848 Water-1995 Debt Ser. Res. Fund $228,587.88 $ 790.34 $229,378.22

1576025857 Water-1995 B, R, & I $686,250.63 $ 2,372.71 $688,623.34

1576025866 Water-1995 Rebate Fund $ 0.00 $ 0.00

Water Sales/Penalties $ 46,373.13

Cert Fees, Constable Fees, Final Fees $ 780.00

Interest $ 922.60

$ 295,341.57

Less Paid Out $ (31,557.97)

Fire hydrant fees/penalties $ 1,873.18

Interest $ 6.29

$ 1,879.47

$ 1,989.20

Less Paid Out $ ( 0.00)

Fire hydrant fees/penalties $ 2,304.67

Interest $ 485.92

$ 2,790.59

$ 155,506.00

Less Paid Out $ ( 119.00)

Sewer Rentals/Penalties $ 58,673.59

WTMA Rentals/Penalties $ 1,179.83

Interest $ 1,462.00

Loan Repayment $ 56,271.00

$ 117,586.42

$ 422,909.21

Less Paid Out $ (48,772.54)

BOROUGH TREASURER

INTEREST $ 468.25

DEPOSIT-TILDEN REIMBURSEMENT $ 36,854.08

TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY $ 190,305.07

LESS PAID OUT $ (0.00)

Lynda Albright stated that the M & T reports will be done for next month. The statements are confusing and we need to understand what is being done before a report can be done.

A motion was made by Roger Kuhns and seconded by Steve Blefgen to accept the Trustee Treasurer’s, Administrative Treasurer’s and Sewer B,R, & I reports as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes- Fink, Blefgen, Kuhns, Romig

Nayes- None

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES

The wastewater treatment plant continues to test our operator skill. pH levels require the addition of control chemicals. The sludge dewatering system continues to be used as required. The rain event of the week of June 26, 2006 caused bypasses from all three pump stations due to their record magnitude. No damage was caused at the wastewater plant as the river rose to within nearly 18 inches of the dike level. Treatment was provided throughout the event and flows are back near normal.

WWTP PROJECT

Bids were received for the Wastewater Treatment Plant on February 17, 2005. The Authority at their February 22, 2006 meeting issued the "Intent to Award" to:

General/Mechanical Contract DESCCO Design and Construction, Inc.

Amount of Contract: $5,866,184.00

Electrical Contract J.B. Electric Corp.

Amount of Contract: $983,469.00

HVAC Contract PSI Pumping Solutions

Amount of Contract: $70,900.00

Contracts were executed and the "Notice to Proceed" was issued on March 17, 2006 to all contractors. The pre-construction meeting was held on March 16, 2006. Work is progressing very well. The Contractor is maintaining the work site in a clean and safe condition. The rain event caused some minor dewatering requirements, but overall the site drained well. DESCCO Design and Construction helped plant personnel with some pumping issues to maintain treatment capabilities.

Work completed this period:

Oxidation Ditch base slab progressing

Clarifiers base slab completed and precast walls set.

Force main from Pine Street P.S. in complete and tested

Sludge pump room base slab poured and side walls in progress

Construction of new road in progress

WISSAHICKON WATER (no change)

Wissahickon started production. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. and Keith inspected the facility and have instructed Wissahickon on procedures and some operational details.

PROJECTS

The force main upgrade of the Edenburg Pump Station has been approved by the DEP.

Information for the proposed force main location is being provided to the Solicitor and Keith. The lines are have been marked in the field.

WATER PRODUCTION

The impoundment dam has refilled with the June rainfall. Most of the water production for this month came from the wells.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to work with Plant Personnel on new and proposed regulations that may affect the System in future.

WELL 5

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. submitted the minor amendment application for the cyclonic separator installed nearly 2-3 years ago. The application is under review.

WATER PROJECTS

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. works with staff on minor operation and maintenance issues as required.

REQUISITIONS

Requisition 211 Pagoda Electric $17,190.00

Requisition 212 DESCCO Design and Construction $516,643.00

Requisition 213 Pikeland Construction, Inc. $76,567.00

Requisition 214 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. $27,899.87

Requisition 215 Parsons Environmental, Inc. $ 3,913.35

Greg Unger reported that the WWTP and the WFT came through basically unscathed with the major rains (18"-24"). There was some bubbling which could be a concern. Descco helped pump during the extreme rainfall.

Greg Unger reported that the year end report for water id complete. The 18% unaccounted for water is average. Most places are between 15-25%. No rate increases are necessary at this point.

Steve Blefgen asked about the billing software-is it still an issue? Yes, to a point. Discussion was held. It was asked if Greg Unger knew of any other municipalities using this program.

He stated not. Steve Blefgen thinks other programs should be checked into. Greg Unger stated that most use CSI.

Lynda Albright asked about the map that was to be done referencing the mountain land. Greg Unger stated that it is being worked on and it should be ready for the August meeting.

At this time Dave Fink turned the gavel over to Steve Smith upon his arrival.

Charles Fitzpatrick stated that the easement agreement for the Edenburg Pump Station was forwarded to Allen Shollenberger. There has been no response. Charles Fitzpatrick called to find out the status and was told that the Adam’s had a death in the family and couldn’t deal with it at this time. The Adam’s are cooperative but money has not been discussed. Greg Unger recommended bidding the project assuming the new R-O-W will be used. A change order can be done if need be. Charles Fitzpatrick stated that 3 people are willing to pay towards the R-O-W.

Charles Fitzpatrick stated that we can go ahead with the PennWorks loan. Closing will be prior to the next meeting.

Charles Fitzpatrick received a call from Walter Greth, so did Greg Unger. Mr. Greth is the developer for the Helene Subdivision. The Municipal Improvements Agreement is being worked on.

Lynda Albright and Keith Brobst met with the Appalachian Trail representatives. There is an agreement that the Borough signed years ago. Now some of the land is owned by the Authority. Lynda Albright will forward a copy of the agreement to Charles Fitzpatrick . The trail representatives stated that they have sign issues in the area. They are willing to put up the signs if they are supplied to them by the municipality. GOALS activities and horse rising must be stopped on the trail. Greg Unger will add the trail to the mountain land maps he is working on.

A letter was received today for the Authority from OTF. Lynda Albright read the following letter:

As you are aware, the Our Town Foundation is in the midst of a streetscape enhancement project. The first step of filling in the underground vaults has been completed. As we proceed into the net phase, the OTF would like to reaffirm the Authority’s cooperation to complete the project.

During the initial phase, there was a problem with a water pipe. At that time, OTF discussed the condition of the water pipes with an Authority employee, and it was stated that the pipes are functional and not in need of repair or replacement. The OTF recognizes that the Authority only has responsibility if the water mains and not the pipes entering the structure.

The OTF is requesting that the Authority acknowledge these requests by signing below and returning this letter to the OTF. We thank you in advance for your assistance on these issues.

Sincerely,

Deena L. Kershner

Program Manager

Keith Brobst gave a background on the vault work that was done in the downtown district. The vaults are being removed in the sidewalks. The Authority is only responsible for the main. The service lines in the sidewalk are the property owners responsibility. Lynda Albright and Keith Brobst does not think the Authority should sign off on the letter. OTF wants the Authority to fix problems/breaks that may arise as improvements are being done. Steve Blefgen thinks the Authority should send a letter to the OTF stating the Authority responsibilities/concerns/etc. Discussion on this subject was held. Charles Fitzpatrick will do a letter.

Lynda Albright read the following letter received from Randolph Shebby:

I have just received a bill for sewage use from the Hamburg Municipal Authority that shows an increase of approximately 71% in the cost of sewage disposal without any explanation other than "new sewage rates in effect". I would like a detailed explanation of why such an increase is necessary and why the borough is reluctant to notify homeowners in advance that a rate increase is expected, rather than just stating the obvious on the bill.

In the past month I have been contacted by the Hamburg Municipal Authority lawyer by way of a threatening letter indicating I have a shed on the "right of way" (though I own the property) and they have the right to force me to move it or they will move it and bill me for the service. Though we are attempting to resolve this issue I then receive a bill with a substantial increase in my sewage bill without any explanation. If I recall correctly, the Sewage Authority just increased the sewage service within the past few years.

The level of communication the council provides to the members of the community is embarrassingly poor. The Hamburg borough web site (which mentions the Sewage Authority) provides little or no recent information and contacting the borough office provided little further information.

The community of Hamburg deserves better than this level of public service. If the Sewage Authority plans to charge the residents of the community with this kind of rate then I believe we deserve the employees to provide a professional service.

Please respond to this request by providing the details of the rate increase and what the intention is regarding the sewage line in the village of Edenburg.

Sincerely,

Randolph S. Shebby

There was a discussion held regarding this. A response will be sent.

Most water for the month came from the surface supply. Consumption has been up due to use by Wissahickon Spring Water and a leak on S. 7^th St that was in the vicinity of 100,000 gpd. We did supplement the surface water with well 5 for several hours a day. We discontinued using surface water on June 25 due to the excessive rain, which made the dam very dirty. We remain on wells till things settle down.

Consumer confidence reports have been distributed.

We once again have problems with the chlorine booster pumps and are getting quotes to replace them with something a little more substantial.

I have been working with the Our Town Foundation and their contractor on some issues involving the water distribution system and the Streetscape program.

PaDOT’s contractor has terminated the mains on North 5^th Street on either side of the 5^th Street bridge. This is a good thing since there is no longer a bridge. We expect no problems with service during the period of construction or when they tie the mains back together. 

We have had a valve at 5^th and Confer leak through the packing gland every time we use it and have always been able to get it to seal, that is every time but once. We changed that valve and in the process found a valve we didn’t know existed.

We are still fighting a ph problem. We have run down several dead ends and still no answer. We again have several permit violations.

Construction at the Pine Street Pumping Station continues but not without its problems. The contractor had to put a tarp on an unfinished roof due to leaking. The excavation to the west of the station allowed water to get to the second floor via a ground wire conduit leading to a few nervous moments while it was running into the transfer switch. We were able to stop the leak by rerouting the water and plugging the hole. The project seems to be on schedule and the new pumps should be here by the end of July.

The treatment plant construction is also coming along nicely and on schedule. Base slabs for the clarifiers were poured Thursday the 29^th. The general mechanical contractor, DESCCO, worked every day through the heavy rains, dodging rain drops and making sure they were ready to go when the rain stopped. 

The week starting June 25 gave our wastewater system, as well as the rest of the county, something to keep us busy. Total rainfall from Thursday the 22^nd through Thursday the 29^th was 11.89 inches. The Pine Street Pumping Station was by-passed for more than 100 hours from Sunday through Thursday with a total of about 10 million gallons being pumped. Both the Edenburg and Ridge Lawn Pumping stations overflowed as well. Reports were made to PaDEP and the local Water Quality Specialist also made a sight visit. The river came within 2 feet of coming over the berm into the treatment plant. I would like to thank Descco, the treatment plant construction contractor, for the use of a pump and their cooperation. We were able to put the plant into "storm mode" and save the biomass so we were operating within normal parameters as soon as we went back "on line".

Keith Brobst stated that the manhole covers in the Edenburg Manor II project look fine.

Keith Brobst stated he had an offer for the pump that is for sale of $200. The Authority instructed Keith to sell it.

CORRESPONDENCE NOTES FROM JUNE 22, 2006 TO JULY 19, 2006:

Transmittal letter from Lehigh Engineering Associates with HOP Application, Utility Permit Plan, and Work Zone Traffic Control figures dated June 23, 2006 to be turned over to the engineer. (this is for the "Villas at Hamburg" subdivision).

2. Letter from Civil Air Patrol dated July 5, 2006 advising of their "Hawk Mountain

Summer Search and Rescue School from July 8 – 16, 2006.

Copy of Component 3 Planning Module sent to Blue Marsh Surveyors dated July

12, 2006 for the Hilltop Landscaping project on Route 61 in Ridge Lawn.

Letter to the Authority from Randolph Shebby, 112 Valley Road dated July 3, 2006

to be addressed to the members this evening.

Letter to the Authority from the Our Town Foundation regarding possible

water/sewer problems within the streetscape program which will be addressed

this evening.

Lynda Albright stated that the constable fees included trash as well as water/sewer. This will be changed.

Judy Romig asked about the Met-Edge Abstract bills. Are these average? Yes, Dave Fink stated that the water side is higher when wells are run.

A motion was made by Roger Kuhns and seconded by Dave Fink to pay the bills as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Blefgen, Kuhns, Romig

Nayes- None

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

AT & T w-monthly long distance $ 64.58

Berks Envirotech, Inc. s-June permit work 104.25

Berks Products Corp w-supplies 61.47

Berks-Mont Newspapers, Inc. w-CCR notice publication 150.40

Bonkovich, David B. w-locating water leaks 240.00

DelRosario, Roy C. w-constable fees 75.00

EMR Power Systems, LLC w-repair generator 250.00

Ehrlich Co. Inc. s-monthly pest service 132.00

Ehrlich Co. Inc. w-reservoir weed service 805.00

Environmental Equipment s-pump heads 1,247.75

Exeter Supply Co., Inc. w-supplies 727.50

Fox Valley Systems w-45.31-s-45.31 90.62

Hamburg Municipal Authority s-utility bills 531.44

Kuzan’s True Value w-supplies 72.09

Liquid Motion Inc. w-120.00-s-1916.00 2,036.00 Met-Ed w-1949.11-s-7535.45 9,484.56

Mountain View Supply w-supplies 75.09

PA One Call System, Inc. w-10.20-s-10.20 20.40

PPL Gas Utilities s-utility bills 345.75

Penn Pride, Inc. w-141.42-s-696.48 837.90

Reading Electric w-pump motor 163.95

Reider, MJ Associates w-laboratory services 394.00

Reider, MJ Associates s-laboratory services 774.00

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. w-464.03-s-1319.45 1,783.48

Univar USA Inc. w-1026.31-s-3320.27 4,346.58

Verizon w-109.02-s-236.80 345.82

Waste Management of SE PA s-sludge disposal 1,357.80

Werley, Francis L. Inc. w-tire repairs 41.70

TOTAL $26,559.13

Bills To Be Paid total water $ 6,986.18

total sewer $19,572.95

Bills Paid During The Month

total water $19,259.42

total sewer $27,521.68

Grand Total For Approval

total water $26,245.60

total sewer $47,094.63

$73,340.23

Harbor Freight Tools w-30.97-s-29.97 $ 60.94

Kuzan’s Hardware w-73.14-s-.71 73.85

Kershner, Mike s-truck shelving 500.00

Postmaster of Hamburg w-CCR Postage 942.01

Clare, David A. w-meter reader 161.85

Clare, Denise L. s-meter reader 48.75

Sonon, Craig A. w-meter reader 229.45

Borough of Hamburg w-17702.98-s-26818.48 44521.46

Petty Cash s-petty cash 4.75

Postmaster of Hamburg w-119.02-s-119.02 238.04

TOTAL $46,781.10

Requisition #211 Sewer B,R, & I $17,190.00

Pagoda Electric

Application #3-PSPS

Requisition #212 Sewer B,R, & I $516,643.00

DESCCO Design & Construction

Application #4-WWTP

Requisition #213 Sewer B,R, & I $76,567.00

Pikeland Construction, Inc.

Application #5-PSPS

Requisition #214 Sewer B,R, & I $27,899.87

Systems Design Engineering, Inc.

WWTP Engineering

Requisition #215 Sewer B,R, & I $3,913.35

Parsons Environmental, Inc.

Collection Systems Repairs

A motion was made by Steve Blefgen and seconded by Judy Romig to approve the requisitions as presented.

ROLL CALL: Ayes- Smith, Fink, Blefgen, Kuhns, Romig

Nayes- None

None

Roger Kuhns asked about the police reports. Keith Brobst didn’t talk to them. Lynda Albright stated that Chief Painter has been told.

Greg Unger asked about having a scheduled time to meet to see the plant upgrades. It was decided to have the August meeting at the WWTP.

There being no further business, a motion was made by Roger Kuhns to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

Attest:

Denise L. Clare, Recording Secretary