Minutes: 9.17.26

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

VERNON TOWNSHIP

MUNICIPAL UTILITY AUTHORITY

September 17, 2026

1. Call to Order

This regular meeting of the VTMUA convened at 7:0 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 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.

3. Salute to the Flag
4. Roll Call of Members and Professionals
5. The following members were present:

Paul Kearney

Dave McDermott

Pat Rizzuto

Ed Seger

Ed DeYoung

Mike Furrey

The following professionals were present: Rich Wenner, Attorney; J/RJ Smith, Engineer; Jaclyn Raperto, Recording Secretary. Donelle Bright, CFO/Administrator arrived at 7:18 pm.

2. Open Meeting to the Public (For Agenda Items Only)

Mr. Furrey motioned to open the meeting to the public for agenda items only, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by unanimous votes.

Ms. Raperto stated no one from the public wished to speak.

Mr. Furrey motioned to close the meeting to the public for agenda items only, which was seconded by Mr. Rizzuto and carried by unanimous votes.

3. Approval of Minutes:
   8. Regular Meeting Minutes: 8.20.26

Mr. McDermott motioned to approve the minutes form 8.20.26, which was seconded by Mr. Rizzuto and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rizzuto, and Mr. Seger. Mr. DeYoung and Mr. Seger abstained.

8. Executive Meeting Minutes: 8.20.26

Mr. Rizzuto motioned to approve the executive minutes form 8.20.26, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rizzuto, and Mr. Seger. Mr. DeYoung and Mr. Seger abstained.

4. Approval of Bills:
   1. #26-22 Approval of the Bills

Mr. DeYoung motioned to approve Resolution #26-22, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rizzuto, Mr. DeYoung and Mr. Seger.

5. Administrator Report
6. Licensed Operator Report
7. Engineer Report

Mr. Smith reported on Pump Station Number Two, noting that all contractor work is now complete and closeout certification forms have been successfully submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the I-bank. Moving into the next period, activities will focus on ongoing coordination with the I-bank to finalize project closeout.

Regarding the Sewer Service Area Mapping, the agency received an NJDEP comment letter on August 12, 2026, followed by a collaborative meeting held with the NJDEP and the County on August 26 to review comments and report updates. Work is currently underway to update the Water Quality Management Plan in alignment with those comments. Additional information for T1 tables was requested from the NJDEP on September 10 to finalize the report, and coordination is active with the County to request an extension to the initial NJDEP submission deadline of September 28.

Progress on the Sewer Service Area Expansion, supported by the EPA grant, centers on coordinating with the EPA for approval of the EPA work plan. Concurrently, draft plans and specifications are being developed, which encompass pump stations and the Route 94 Town Brook crossing, alongside a Treatment Works Approval application. Boring plans have also been developed and pricing is being solicited from drillers, while detailed information regarding the Route 94 Town Brook crossing is being gathered to finalize the optimum sewer crossing design. Draft documents are scheduled for internal review by the end of September.

Finally, concerning the Water System Expansion with Veolia, an updated cost estimate has been submitted to Veolia, who will subsequently submit a funding request to Vernon for ARPA funds with checks to be issued in accordance with prior authorizations. The project is currently awaiting NJDOT approval to commence borings, an application originally submitted in December, and the team is looking to proactively engage the NJDOT to coordinate various utility and infrastructure projects across the Route 94 corridor.

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

Mr. McDermott motioned to open the meeting to the Public for Items Not on the Agenda, which was seconded by Mr. DeYoung and carried my unanimous votes.

Ms. Raperto stated no one from the public wished to speak.

Mr. Furrey motioned to close the meeting to the Public for Items Not on the Agenda, which was seconded by Mr. Rizzuto and carried by unanimous votes.

9. Work Session:
   1. Committee Reports
   2. Sewer Expansion

Discussed further was the DOT meeting. Additionally, that there are meeting bi-weekly to ensure that the project stays on track.

2. Water Expansion

Mr. Furrey reported on a series of recent meetings concerning water management, highlighting that a funding request involving approximately four million dollars for the water expansion project. During a subsequent meeting involving Dewberry and the Department of Transportation, a key takeaway was that Veolia's proposed water expansion must first secure approval from the Highlands Council before coming before the municipal council. This process is particularly critical because current water allocations are constrained, and additional capacity is urgently required. This initiative is directly connected to the sewer system, as water sent to the SCMUA should ideally be returned to replenish the local water supply. Addressing an inquiry from Mr. Kearney regarding whether an equivalent amount of water is returned, Mr. Furrey noted that he has requested this data to verify compliance and ensure that the SCMUA is not utilizing the local plant to fulfill its own permit obligations without providing a clear, measurable benefit to the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority. Mr. Seger noted to be careful what we ask for as we may have other requests down the line. Mr. McDermott discussed that the plant is due for a complete overhaul, so we need to pay attention to the work being done. Mr. McDermott reviewed what happened at the meeting held by SCMUA. It was suggested that a position statement be formed so that it can be read at the next meeting.

3. Annual Contracts

No report.

4. Employee Performance

Mr. Kearney asked for an executive meeting to discuss personnel.

5. Finance

Mr. McDermott reviewed the bond debt cost to SCMUA that was taken from The VTMUA audit and SCMUA Audits. Mr. McDermott stated that the fees have increased 62% since 2020.  Vernon is the highest paying municipality in Sussex County. We need to remember to look at bond debt when reviewing the treatment cost.

6. Transfer Station

No report.

10. Commissioner Comments

Mr. Furrey expressed frustration regarding meeting attendance, pointing out that despite being a volunteer, he continues to attend numerous external meetings to advance the project. He emphasized that paid employees from the Township are failing to attend these critical sessions when they ought to be present, noting that since this is a municipal project, active participation from township staff is expected and necessary.

Mr. McDermott raised important concerns regarding risk management, stressing that current board decisions carry significant financial implications for local ratepayers. He emphasized that the interests of ratepayers must be prioritized, especially since they are currently bearing the financial burden of development that have never actually materialized. Mr. McDermott  asserted that project risks should be placed squarely on the shoulders of developers rather than being absorbed by the ratepayers.

Mr. Seger commented there are meetings bi-weekly and are making progress. We need to get our position to SCMUA.

Mr. DeYoung commented a good job is being done.

Mr. Rizzuto stated a position paper is a great help to VTMUA and we will be able to speak as one voice. Secondly, we are going to be looking at Veolia looking at the funding request.

11. Chairmen Comments

Mr. Kearney asked if we had an outside entity that used to come and review the safety evaluations. Mr. Kearney asked if we can look into having this done. Mr. Kearney agreed with the position paper.

12. Adjournment

Mr. McDermott motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 pm, which was seconded by Mr. Rizzuto and carried by unanimous votes.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jaclyn Raperto

Minutes Approved: 10.14.26