PLUM CREEK MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
May 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of The Plum Creek Municipal Authority was held on May 17, 2011 at the Plum Creek Municipal Authority Business Office Building, South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Board members present at the meeting were Tom Nagle, Dennis Scharadin, and Jerry Weiss. Also in attendance were Dave Bright (PCMA Engineer), Mike Stewart (American Water Service) and his daughter Sara, and PCMA attorney Joe Zerbe.
Tom Nagle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
The minutes for the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted by motion of Jerry Weiss, seconded by Dennis Scharadin, carried by all.
The Treasurer's reports for March 2011 and April 2011 were reviewed and accepted by motion of Dennis Scharadin, seconded by Jerry Weiss, carried by all.
Mike Stewart reviewed his written report relating to managerial matters (submitted to the Board prior to the meeting) which addressed water and sewage operations. In water matters, he reported that:
In engineering matters, Dave Bright said that the tank representative who had looked at the exterior of the water storage tanks still needs to get back to him regarding the tank interiors. He also noted that the average water flow for April was the lowest it’s been in a long while. He also encouraged the Board to support the legislation noted in the PMAA newsletter regarding the public bidding limits. HB 294 and SB 287 amends the Municipal Authorities Act by raising the bid limit for supplies, services, and construction from the current $10,000 to $25,000, and also the telephone quote bids from the current $4,000 to $10,000. He also felt that the prevailing wage legislation, consisting of five separate house and senate bills, should be supported because it would benefit all authorities.
In legal matters, Joe Zerbe said he sent a letter to the LWPOA’s solicitor in regard to keeping the PCMA informed as to the big dam repairs in the event the sewage treatment plant, dump station, and business office are affected. He did not receive a reply. Routine municipal liens were filed also.
Upon motion by Jerry Weiss, seconded by Dennis Scharadin, carried by all, the Board went into executive session at 6:15 p.m. to discuss a former employee and correspondence received by PCMA. Upon motion by Jerry Weiss, seconded by Dennis Scharadin, and carried by all, the Board returned to regular session at 6:35 p.m. Upon motion by Jerry Weiss, seconded by Dennis Scharadin, and carried by all, authority was given to Joe Zerbe to review the materials received by the PCMA regarding an unemployment compensation matter, and to intervene and respond by filing a petition for review before the Commonwealth Court if he felt a response was necessary.
Jerry asked Mike if he was aware of new discharge monitoring regulations into the streams (Total Mass Discharge Levels). Dave said it hasn’t affected Schuylkill County yet, but it might down the road. Mike said the PCMA is in compliance right now. Dave said it was started primarily to protect the Chesapeake Bay, but it’s being extended to all watersheds in Pennsylvania. Mike said the PCMA’s discharge is far below what is allowed, and is most likely about 30% of what is allowed.
There being no further business, Dennis Scharadin motioned for adjournment, Jerry Weiss seconded the motion, carried by all. The meeting was adjourned by Tom Nagle at 6:40 p.m.
Meeting minutes were taken, prepared, and submitted by Jennifer Hoy.
In sewage matters:
Mike added that the turn signals and windshield wiper assembly will have to be repaired on the pickup truck, and will be done in the next week or two when the truck is taken in for inspection.
