Vernon Township

21 Church Street, Vernon, NJ 07462
Phone: 973.764.4055

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Minutes: March 17, 2022

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

VERNON TOWNSHIP

MUNICIPAL UTILITY AUTHORITY

MARCH 17, 2021 AT 7:00 P.M.

  1. Call to Order

The regular meeting of the MUA was convened at 7:01 pm.

  1. Statement of Compliance

Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this regular meeting was provided to the public and the press on December 27, 2021 by delivering to the press such notice and posting same at the municipal building and filed with the office of the MUA as well as posted on the website.

 

  1. Salute to the Flag
  2. Roll Call of Members and Professionals

The following members were present:

Andrew Pitsker

Dave McDermott

Kristin Wheaton

Edward Snook

The following members are absent:

Paul Kearney

Scott Galway

Edward DeYoung

The following professionals were present:

Donelle Bright, Administrator/CFO; Rich Wenner, MUA Attorney; Jaclyn McCabe, Recording Secretary

  1. Proclamation
    1. Certificates of Recognition

At this time Mr. Pitsker read the proclamation aloud. Mr. Pitsker presented certificates of recognition to Mr. Furrey and Mr. Perry.

  1. Open Meeting to the Public (for Agenda Items Only)

Mr. Snook motioned to open to the public for an agenda item only, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott, and carried by unanimous votes. Ms. McCabe informed that no hands were raised virtually or in person.

Mr. McDermott made the motion to close to the public for agenda items only, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and carried by unanimous votes.

  1. Approval of the Bills: Resolution #22-19

Mr. Pitsker inquired if the bills list can be published before it is approved by the board. Mr. Wenner answered that it can be included with the agenda before approval. Unanimously, the Commissioners decided to publish the bills list with the agenda. 

Mr. McDermott mad the motion to approve resolution #22-19, approval of bills, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and declared carried by the unanimous votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Wheaton, and Mr. Snook.

 

  1. Approval of Minutes
    1. Reorganization Meeting Minutes 2/17/22

Mr. McDermott made the motion to approve the 2/17/22 minutes, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Snook. Ms. Wheaton abstained from voting.

  1. Executive Meeting Minutes 2/17/22

Mr. McDermott made the motion to approve 2/17/22 executive meeting minutes, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Snook. Ms. Wheaton abstained from voting.

 

  1. Resolutions:
    1. Resolution #22-20 Pay to Play Reiner Pump Systems

Ms. Bright explained pay to play paperwork is required for purchases over $17,500. Ms. Bright added since we have already purchased one pump, we do not want to exceed the threshold. This resolution will be for a back up pump, which could be used at pump station 1 or 3.

Mr. Snook made the motion to approve resolution #22-20, Pay to Play Reiner Pump Systems, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Wheaton, and Mr. Snook.

 

  1. Work Session:
    1. New Business:
      1. Sub Committee Discussion

Ms. Bright reviewed Mr. Kearney wanted to review and update the subcommittees. Mr. Pitsker reviewed the current subcommittees and inquired what should be changed. Mr. Pitsker stated he believed the finance and HR committees should remain. Ms. Wheaton recommended that a septic pumping service would be an item to investigate. It was decided to table the subcommittee review until the next meeting.

  1. Administrator Report

Ms. Bright reported regarding PS2, Mr. Benosky has reached out three times to NJIBank/NJDEP, initially we were told that approval would be 3/4/22, to date, a response has not been received. Ms. Bright stated that Mr. Benosky will follow up on Tuesday. Mr. Pitsker reviewed the project timeline.

Ms. Bright reviewed the sewer service area mapping, there was correspondence with Mr. DeMuro, from the NJDEP, and all Commissioners were sent the correspondence. Ms. Bright discussed that correspondence was also sent to the town center planner, who reached out to the state planning commission who clarified the regulations. Ms. Bright added that she was correct on the clarifications and send it to Mr. DeMuro.

Ms. Bright reviewed there was a meeting with Wind River, Mt. Creek, and Dewberry regarding the transfer station. Ms. Bright added when Mr. Benosky reached out to the NJDEP there were concerns regarding the type of materials being taken at the transfer station and the location where the materials would be taken from. Ms. Bright stated the DEP did not reject to the project. Ms. Bright added Wind River explained that wastewater would be pretreated prior to entering into the system, similar to pool water.  Ms. Bright added SCMUA would have to approve the application. The idea would be to install grease trap infrastructure to be treated and put into the sewer system.

Ms. Bright reviewed the capital items and the extra pumps which were ordered. The muffin monster has not arrived yet, as the company shipped the wrong one and was stopped in transit. Ms. Bright added that most other towns go out for bid for pumps and there are not any co-ops available for them. Mr. Pitsker and Mr. Snook suggested that reaching out to other towns to see what type of pumps are used and having a potential co-op. Ms. Bright stated this is a good idea but to keep in mind there are limited numbers of suppliers and she will speak to the QPA.

Ms. Bright reviewed there were changed to the regulations on what is considered public works projects and is working with the QPA on the renovations to PS3. The regulations require prevailing wage and state registrations.

Ms. Bright reviewed delinquent notices and the latest local finance notice. Ms. Bright reviewed the law enacted to extend the grace period for residential delinquencies was extended to March 15, 2022. When we were first noticed about the regulation, the local finance notice was not published. The rate payors were noticed on our website; however, now they will be receiving a written notification.

Ms. Bright reviewed the adjustments to the EDU in regards to billing errors have been started and the first round will be going out tomorrow. Ms. Bright explained it is very tedious but will be completed by June 1, 2022. Ms. Bright stated that everyone affected will receive a letter of explanation. Mr. Pitsker stated that there were substantial billing issues which were found in an audit. Ms. Wheaton clarified that this goes back to the origin of the MUA.

  1. Licensed Operator Report

Ms. Bright reported the lift stations are running well and we do not have callouts there since the installation of the screens at each station. The pump at PS1 is replaced and we are waiting on the muffin monster, which was recalled back to the shipping facility when they realized they sent us the wrong size grinder. Ms. Bright added Pump Station 2 just had a pump replaced as well, as the one there failed.

Ms. Bright stated we approved the resolution tonight for a backup pump that is for PS1, but can also be used for PS3 if necessary, as we're trying to ensure the pumps are uniform across the board.  

Mr. Pitsker inquired about the sensaphone issue and if it has been corrected. Ms. Bright responded they are repaired.

  1. Engineer Report

No report as engineer was not present.

  1. Open to the Public for Items Not on the Agenda

Mr. McDermott motioned to open to the public for items not on the agenda, which was seconded by Ms. Wheaton and carried by unanimous votes. Ms. McCabe informed hands were raised virtually.

Ms. Peg Distasi thanked the committee for putting the bills list on the agenda. Secondly, Ms. Distasi thanked Ms. Bright for clarification on questions which she asked. Ms. Distasi added that the environmental commission, which she is on, has been working on the idea of the septic pumping and she is sure that there will be support from the commission to the MUA to get this program running.

Ms. Jessi Paladini stated the bills have always been on the agenda for years and inquired if they are now added to the website. Ms. Paladini requested clarification on the wrong charges for the accounts and if they were over or undercharged. Ms. Bright answered a combination of both. Ms. Paladini requested to know if they would be billed for years prior or moving forward. Ms. Bright responded moving forward. Ms. Paladini asked if this was discovered by an audit. Ms. Bright answered it was not an official audit but there was reason to pull the assessors list and use it to compare the billing.

Mr. McDermott motioned to close for public comment which was seconded by Ms. Snook and carried by unanimous votes.

 

  1. Executive Session:
    1. Resolution # 22-05 For Purposes of Personnel Matters

Mr. Snook made the motion to approve resolution 22-05, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Wheaton, and Mr. Snook. Action is expected to be taken upon reconvening the regular meeting.

Mr. Pitsker made the motion to reconvene the regular meeting, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the unanimous votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Wheaton, and Mr. Snook.

Motion to authorize a special meeting for personnel matters, to be held on March 22 at 10 am via Zoom, was made by Ms. Wheaton, which was seconded by Mr. Pitsker and carried by affirmative votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Wheaton, and Mr. Snook.

Motion authorizing the action discussed in executive session regarding a Rice notice was made by Mr. McDermott, which was seconded by Ms. Wheaton and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Pitsker, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Wheaton, and Mr. Snook.

  1. Commissioners’ Comments

Ms. Wheaton had no further comments.

Mr. McDermott had no further comments.

Mr. Snook had no further comments.

Mr. Pitsker directed his comments to Ms. Bright and Ms. McCabe for all the behind the scenes work and efforts that are being made.

  1. Chairman’s Comments
  2. Adjournment

Mr. McDermott made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 pm, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and carried by unanimous votes.

Respectfully submitted,

Jaclyn McCabe, Recording Secretary

Minutes approved 4.21.22

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Vernon Township

21 Church Street
Vernon, NJ 07462

Phone: 973.764.4055 

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Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Emergencies Dial 9-1-1
Non-Emergencies Dial 973-764-6155

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