Minutes 4.16.26

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

VERNON TOWNSHIP

MUNICIPAL UTILITY AUTHORITY

4.16.26

1. Call to Order

This regular meeting of the VTMUA was convened at 7:04 PM.

2. 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 January 2, 2026, by delivering such notice to the press, posting the same at the municipal building, filing it with the office of the MUA, and posting it on the MUA website.

3. Salute to the Flag
4. Roll Call of Members and Professionals

• Members Present: Paul Kearney, Dave McDermott, Pat Rizzuto, Ed DeYoung, Mike Furrey
• Members Absent: Ed Seger
• Professionals Present: Donelle Bright (Administrator), Rich Wenner (Attorney), RJ Smith (Engineer), James Schappell (Engineer), Jaclyn Raperto (Recording Secretary)

5. Open Meeting to the Public (Agenda Items Only)

• Motion to Open: Moved by Mr. DeYoung, seconded by Mr. McDermott, and carried by unanimous vote. Ms. Raperto stated that no members of the public wished to speak.
• Motion to Close: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott, and carried by unanimous vote.

6. Approval of Minutes

• Regular Meeting Minutes: March 19, 2026
  • Motion to Approve: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott.
  • Vote: Carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rizzuto, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Furrey.

7. Approval of Bills

• Bill List #26-11
  • Motion to Approve: Moved by Mr. McDermott, seconded by Mr. Furrey.
  • Vote: Carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rizzuto, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Furrey.

8. Resolutions

• Resolution #26-12: Resolution of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority Amending the Rules and Regulations to Clarify Timing of Payment for Connection Fees and to Codify Hardship Deferral Requests for Sanitary Sewer Connection Fees.
  • Motion to Discuss: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott, and carried unanimously.
  • Discussion: The Board discussed coding fees differently for commercial and residential properties. The implementation of a hardship application was also discussed, alongside timelines for fee collection and the necessity of sending this process to the Building Department for alignment.
  • Motion to Approve: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott.
  • Vote: Carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rizzuto, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Furrey.
• Resolution #26-13: Resolution Approving Hardship Deferral Request for Sanitary Sewer Connection at 19-21 Omega Drive Owned by Red Hand, LLC.
  • Motion to Remove: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott.
  • Vote: Carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rizzuto, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Furrey.

9. Administrator's Report

• Pump Station 2 (PS2): Ms. Bright reported that PS2 is fully closed and the town will proceed with permanent financing. Following financing, Mountain Creek will pay the bill.
• Sewer Service Area (SSA): The SSA plan is still under review by the NJDEP.

10. Licensed Operator Report

• Nothing to report at this time.

11. Engineer's Report

• The Engineer's report was deferred to be covered during the Work Session discussion.

12. Open Meeting to the Public (Non-Agenda Items)

• Motion to Open: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott, and carried by unanimous vote.
• Public Comment:
  • Jessi Paladini: Ms. Paladini asked if Mr. Bower was a member of the MUA, noting he has not yet attended a meeting. She also questioned the absence of Mr. Seger. Additionally, Ms. Paladini asked Mr. Wenner why the CFO does not have a contract. Mr. Wenner responded that he would look into the contract details but confirmed the Board had appointed Ms. Bright.
  • Motion to Close: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott, and carried by unanimous vote.

13. Work Session

• Old Business
  • Discussion Item: Town Center Sewer Expansion Plan

Mr. Schappell and Mr. Smith presented the plan for the town-wide sewer expansion, covering the four main service areas and associated costs. The engineers addressed questions regarding the estimated number of connections in each area, pricing, and project timelines. The Board discussed the goal of obtaining as many Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) as possible, noting this would maximize benefits for the MUA.

• New Business
  • None at this time.

14. Commissioners' Comments

• The Commissioners expressed that they are anxious to get the Town Center Sewer Expansion project started, noting it will be highly beneficial for the MUA.

15. Chairman's Comments

• Chairman Kearney echoed the positive statements of the Commissioners.

16. Adjournment

• Motion to Adjourn: Moved by Mr. Furrey, seconded by Mr. McDermott, and carried by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jaclyn Raperto, Recording Secretary

Minutes approved: 5.21.26