Nov 19, 2012
Members Present: G Jackson, R Repp, R Schindler, CT Steele
Others Present: D Hutson, Attorney; R Wheeler, Operations; M Meyers, Strand
On motion by G Jackson and second by R Schindler, all bills presented were approved for payment.
Financials:
$15,000 was transferred to savings. D Hutson will file suit against customers who are far behind in bills and have not responded to letters.
Old Business:
R wheeler was to prepare list of open repairs from smoke test and action plan for repairs. Not complete. Will have at next meeting.
Backup Power for main lift station: No information received from Duke. R Wheeler to follow up. G Jackson noted that Washington Township Water Corp purchased an 85 hp Cummings backup generator set with transfer switch for use at the wells. Cost was $23,000.
Repairs to force main were completed by Henderson. R Wheeler reported that they did a good job.
New Business:
M Meyer stated that the next expected change from IDEM will be to monitor for phosphorus. When this is placed on the permit, we can get 36 months to complete compliance.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
October 9, 2012
Members Present: G Jackson, R Repp, R Schindler, CT Steele,
Others Present: D Hutson, Attorney; R Wheeler, Operations
On motion by R Schindler and second by G Jackson, all bills presented were approved for payment.
On request by CT Steele, the November meeting was rescheduled for the third Monday, Nov. 19.
R. Schindler announced that he is selling his property in Washington Township and submitted his resignation, effective Dec. 31.
IDEM made a recent inspection of the system. We were cited for failing to have a backup power supply for our main lift station on Highway 62 as required by our permit. We have been gathering information about backup generators and requested Rick Wheeler to contact Duke Energy . HE will ask the cost of having Duke as a backup power source in case the REMC power fails. Rick will report back at our November meeting.
D Hutson reported on the requested review of the definition of a vacant lot in our ordinance. The ordinance is very specific that the lot contain no inhabitable building.
A list of past due accounts was given to D Hutson. He will send a collection letter and then, if payment is not received in 30 days, file suit on these past due bills.
Action items from the smoke test were reviewed and corrections discussed. Rick Wheeler to have a list of completed items by next meeting and an action plan for remaining items.
G Jackson presented financials. No unusual items were noted and the district is on a solid footing. It was voted to place excess cash in a savings account pending expenses for provisioning of back-up power supply at the main lift station.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
September 10, 2012
Members Present: Gary Jackson, Ron Repp, CT Steele, Robert Schindler
Others present: Rick Wheeler, Operations
Old Business:
A motion to pay all bills was made by CT Steele and seconded by Bob Schindler. Motion passed.
A landlord with an exceedingly high bill was discussed. CT suggested consideration in the form of an adjustment. There was no leak found on the property and no pool is installed. These are the only two reasons for an adjustment, so it was determined that no adjustment can be made.
Discussion of usage of additional meters to measure water not entering the sewer system ensued. By ordinance, customers may install a separate meter to measure these uses and receive a credit on their monthly sewer bill. All meter issues are the responsibility of the Washington Township Water Corp. so we do not know how this would be implemented. We currently do not have any residential customers with additional meters installed for this purpose.
Discussed clarification of ordinances: Any property owner may request elimination of billing for a vacant lot that but must pay the current tap fee if service to the lot is later provided. They will not be allowed to service the lot from the tap on an adjacent property unless one single family structure is constructed which spans both lots. Daryl Hostetler has requested we stop billing for a vacant lot he owns.
Flow meter -damages (August minutes) – Duke insurance for lightning damage behind meters protected with Strike Stop is for residential customers only and does not apply to the Sewer District. the deductible on our insurance policy is 2500, which is the approximate cost of the repairs. No claim will be filed.
Rick Wheeler reported that two estimates have been received for repair of the force main on Nabb New Washington Road and to sleeve 30′ of the pipe. Christiani bid $3700 and Henderson bid $2706. On motion by CT Steele and second by Bob Schindler, the low bid was accepted and Henderson was awarded the work.
Finances:
Unusual expenses for last month were $6,441 for the smoke test, $2,101 for the new flow meter, and $441 for pump repair kits for the lagoon aerators. Total year to date revenue is $71,403.43 and total year to date expenses are $65,227.87 with no long term debt.
August 13, 2012
Members Present: Gary Jackson, Ron Repp, CT Steele
Others Present: David Hutson, Atty; Rick Wheeler, Operations
A motion to pay all bills was made by CT Steele and seconded by Gary Jackson. Motion passed.
Old Business:
Smoke Test: Many complaints were received about the information cards hung on doorknobs: There was no date for the smoke test to be performed and there was no phone number listed to call.
Many houses need cleanout caps
New Business:
A section of force main on Nabb New Washington Road has been exposed by erosion. Inspection disclosed that a section of 3″ pipe has been installed by persons unknown on date unknown. This will need to be replaced. Rick Wheeler to get Time and Materials estimates for the next meeting. T&M is best suited for this work as the extent of the job is unknown.
A flow meter damaged by lightning has been replaced. Bruce Elder (Diversified Insurance) will be called to check on insurance coverage and applicable deductibles. The old meter has been sent to the factory for analysis and a repair estimate.
Financials:
Two long past due accounts which were voided by bankruptcy proceedings have been written off.
No unusual expenses were recorded and revenue has been steady.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
July 10, 2012
The meeting was opened at 6:30 PM with a quorum present.
Members present: Gary Jackson, Ron Repp, Bob Schindler, CT Steele
Others Present: David Hutson, Attorney; Rick Wheeler, Operations; Two resident users
A motion to pay all bills was made by Bob Schindler with second by Gary Jackson. Motion passed.
Residents asked about their property in New Washington where a second building which they own is served by the tap from their home. After discussion, it was agreed to allow this condition to exist providing that if the property titles are ever separated, a tap fee will be due and payable for the second residence. Attorney Hutson will review the practice and draft an ordinance for the next meeting.
A demand letter will be sent by Attorney Hutson to Susan Foushee.
G Jackson will search Water Corp records and seek any other situations where multiple properties may be served by one tap.
Smoke test: Two bids were received: The low bid, from Aqua Utilities, was accepted on motion by CT Steele and second by Bob Schindler. Prior to conducting the test, the Fire Department will be notified and a notice placed in the Charlestown Leader to inform residents of the test.
Gary Jackson presented the financial information for review.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.
June 11, 2012
Members Present: Gary Jackson, Ronald Repp, Robert Schindler, CT Steele
Others Present: David Hutson, Attorney; Rick Wheeler, Plant Operations
A motion to pay all bills was made by Robert Schindler and seconded by Gary Jackson. The motion passed.
CT Steele reported a situation where a sewer tap was rerouted from a dwelling that no longer exists on the site to a neighboring lot in violation of ordinance. D Hutson was requested to draft a letter to the property owner.
Replacement of valves on lagoons was discussed. Multiple bids were requested but only one bid conforming to our specification was received. Contract was awarded to Dan Christiani on motion by Bob Schindler and second by CT Steele.
Discussed a smoke test of the system. This item has carried over from 2011 as it must be conducted during the summer months. A motion to perform smoke testing this year was made by Gary Jackson and second by CT Steele. Passed. Rick Wheeler will seek a minimum of three bids to perform the smoke test.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.
May 14, 2012
The meeting was called to order by Ron Repp, President, at 6:30 PM
Members present: G Jackson, R Repp, R Schindler, CT Steele
Others Present: D Hutson, Attorney; R Wheeler, Plant Operations
R Schindler moved to pay all invoices received and presented; CT Steele seconded; motion passed.
R Wheeler reported an overflow at the Ohio Street lift station on April 12 due to a failed main breaker which was quickly repaired. The new NPDES Discharge Permit has been received. It is effective from 1 Oct 2012 to 30 Sept. 2017.
Replacement of valves at the lagoons was discussed. Two cost estimates were presented but additional questions were asked. No action was taken as additional information is required.
CT Steele and R Wheeler drove the service area and verified that all residents that are served are being billed. One location has some issues which must be resolved.
Harpring Steel fabricated a base for the winch which is used to remove pumps from the new lift station. It will be installed soon.
Replacement of fencing around the lagoons has been completed.
Ordinance 2012-1 was introduced and passed. It creates a procedure and defines terms under which a property owner can apply to stop our billing for vacant lots.
Financial information was presented by G Jackson. Past-due bills were discussed. Three are over 90 days old and exceed, $200. These customers have been sent letters advising them that legal action will be initiated for collections. Lawsuits will be filed on Mat 23.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
March 12, 2012
The meeting was called to order by Ron Repp, President, at 6:30 PM.
Attendees: Board Members: Gary Jackson, Ronald Repp, Robert Schindler, CT Steele
Others: David Hutson (Attorney), Rick Wheeler (Operations)
The minutes of the last meeting are posted on-line.
Attorney Update:
- Letters of Appointment have not been received from Township Trustee.
- Conflict of Interest Statements were distributed for signature by effected personnel
- A couple of overdue accounts have been paid in full
- Two (2) proposed ordinances were distributed. One, the “Alternate Payments” ordinance, was passed on first reading. The Board requested that proper ordinance numbers be assigned to them
- New legislation passed in Indiana (HB1117) was discussed. The biggest change that applies to this Board is the requirement that board members be property owners in the district served. All Board members currently meet this requirement.
- D Hutson was requested to develop a current year contract for Rick Wheeler
Operations:
- Two (2) bad breakers and a blown fuse were replaced at the Ohio Street lift station.
- Plug valves in some of the lagoons need to be replaced. Rick will obtain two quotes. Gear drive valves will be priced as an alternate.
- Rick was requested to begin a separate maintenance repair log for the system. This will list repairs and the dates made, cost, and document the parts used, by manufacturer and model number or specification, where required.
Financials:
- The Board voted to pay all current outstanding invoices.
- A current list of checks written is needed by the accountant at the end of every month to provide accurate financial statements.
Feb 13, 2012
The meeting was called to order by R Repp, President, at 6:30 PM.
Board Members Attending: G Jackson, R. Repp, R Schindler, CT Steele
Others Attending: R Wheeler, Plant Operator, D Hutson, Attorney
Past due accounts were discussed.
Invoice for NPDES permit renewal received from IDEM. R Repp to verify cost, billed as $1000.
P Jackson, billing, has requested a list of all taps to be billed. This list will be used for verification purposes. A list will also be compiled of all properties which do not have a structure on them.
New trustee appointments are needed. The appointment forms have been completed and sent to Trustee Tyler York for approval.
Annual Conflict of Interest statements have been redrafted by D Hutson, Attorney, and sent to necessary parties.
IDEM Sr. Environmental Manager S Boswell visited and checked calibration.
D Hutson, Attorney, is drafting and ordinance to determine when and under what circumstances properties without a structure will be allowed to request relief from monthly sewer bills.
Finances were discussed with reports provided by G Jackson.
The Board voted, on motion by R Schindler and second by G Jackson, to pay all bills presented.
The meeting was adjourned.