VFSA Board Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2023
The Valley Forge Sewer Authority monthly meeting was held on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 7:00 pm. In attendance: Board members: Norman Vutz, Samuel Cupp, David Greer, Terri Woodman, David Demey and William LaPorte. Also in attendance were General Manager Leonard Pinchok, Operations\Engineering Manager Matt Jackson and Laboratory Supervisor Richard Taylor. David Shirk representing the Authority’s Engineer of Record, Buchart-Horn, Inc was also in attendance.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Meeting Minutes
Mr. LaPorte made a motion to approve the September 11, 2023 meeting minutes as presented, which was seconded by Mr. Cupp and the Board unanimously approved the motion.
Operations Report
Mr. Taylor presented the Operations Report stating there were no permit limit violations with an exception on September 25, 2023 for exceedance of the fecal coliform instantaneous maximum and two instances reported as other permit violations. The first instance occurred because the auto sampler did not collect a sample caused by a power blip at the plant. The second instance was caused by faulty tubing on the auto sampler. The entire pump assembly on the sampler has been replaced. Mr. Taylor reported one test result from September has not been received and outstanding August results were received without violation. The month of September had no odor complaints. Mr. Cupp asked what caused the September 25, 2023 exceedance of the permit and was it reported. Mr. Taylor did report the violation and the two instances to PADEP. The staff is continually researching the data available in an attempt to narrow down the cause of the exceedance. In addition, the staff has contacted the UV manufacturer to assist with the research.
Mr. LaPorte made a motion to accept the Operations Report as presented which was seconded by Mr. Vutz and the Board unanimously approved the motion.
Financial Report
Mr. Pinchok presented the combined statement of operations showing the balances of all accounts at the end of April with a balance of $25,098,379. Fund balances were presented for review, followed by the budget to actual, where the revenue fund has a surplus of $332,504 and the treatment plant fund is at a surplus of $274,437. Total credit card purchases for the month were $6,234.08. Total for Imprest fund reconciliation was $962.47. AP invoices totaled $342,467.89. Mr. Pinchok highlighted an invoice from Rockwell Automation on page 7 of the AP Invoice Summary Report. Mr. Jackson gave a detailed description of this new Maintenance Software and the capabilities it will allow the plant and collection staff to manage, maintain, track and label all assets within the plant and pump stations. Mr. Cupp made a motion to approve agenda items 2 through 6 as presented which was seconded by Mr. Demey and the Board unanimously approved the motion.
The financial report continued with requisitions totaling $10,622.02 from the Treatment Plant Construction fund. Ms. Woodman made a motion to approve the requisitions as presented which was seconded by Mr. Greer and the Board unanimously approved the motion.
New Business
Investment Policy
Mr. Pinchok presented a revised Investment Policy for review and adoption into the Code of Rules and Regulations of Valley Forge Sewer Authority. Mr. LaPorte made a motion to accept the Investment Policy as presented which was seconded by Mr. Demey and the Board unanimously approved the motion.
Other
Mr. Pinchok presented an invoice from JWC for a pump station comminutor costing $52,834.97. The Capital Improvement Fund approved amount for this equipment was $50,000. Mr. Pinchok is requesting approval to increase the capital budget for this item to $53,000. Mr. Cupp made a motion to increase the budget for the comminutor which was seconded by Ms. Woodman and the Board unanimously approved the motion.
Old Business
Septage Screening Process
Mr. Shirk indicated start up and training is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Meadow Lane Sewer Extension
PA Grant approvals have been rescheduled to begin November 2023.
Act 537 Special Study
The staff and Buchart Horn have received all future flow needs, as required by DEP, from partner municipalities. Mr. Shirk is waiting on additional information. Once received, the Act 537 Report should be available shortly thereafter. The document is expected to be completed by the November Board meeting. Mr. Shirk presented the original options for additional capacity and the likelihood of each being accepted by PADEP for approval. The next step is to present the Act 537 report to PADEP, partner municipalities and VFSA for review and comments.
Other
Mr. Jackson reported Primary Clarifier #1 is back in service after annual maintenance and repairs. Additionally, Gravity Sludge Thickener (GST) #3 has been inspected and placed in service as of last week. Currently all 3 GST are in service and will remain operating throughout the winter. Mr. Jackson reported two master mechanics are attending a welding training course over the next 10 weeks at the community college.
Adjournment
Mr. LaPorte made a motion to adjourn the meeting that was seconded by Ms. Woodman and the Board unanimously approved the motion. The meeting adjourned at about 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
David Demey
VFSA Board Secretary