Minutes: April 20, 2023

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

VERNON TOWNSHIP

MUNICIPAL UTILITY AUTHORITY

These minutes are a synopsis of the meeting that took place on 4/20/2023. Copies of the recording are available at the office of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority (the “MUA”).

 

1. Call to Order

This regular meeting of the VTMUA commenced at 7:02 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 December 27, 2022 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

The following members were present:

Dave McDermott

Ed Snook

Ed DeYoung

Mark Bower

The following members were absent:

Paul Kearney

Kristin Wheaton

Patrick Rizzuto

The following professionals were present: Donelle Bright, Administrator/CFO; Igor Bykov, Attorney; Steve Benosky, Engineer; Jaclyn McCabe, Recording Secretary.

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

Mr. Bower made the motion to open the meeting to the public for agenda items only, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and carried by unanimous votes. Ms. McCabe informed no one from the public wished to speak.

Mr. Bower made the motion to close the meeting to the public for agenda items only, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and carried by unanimous votes.

6. Resolution #23-17: Approval of the Bills

Mr. McDermott made the motion to approve resolution #23-17 approval of the bills, which was seconded by Mr. Bower and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. McDermott, Mr. Snook, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Bower.

7. Approval of Minutes:
8. Regular Meeting: 3/16/23

Mr. DeYoung made the motion to approve the minutes from 3/16/23, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. McDermott and Mr. DeYoung. Mr. Bower abstained from voting.

1. Special Meeting: 3/30/23

The special meeting minutes were tabled until the 5/18/23 meeting.

8. Resolutions:
9. #23-18 Resolution of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority Authorizing Execution of Any and All Documents Necessary for the Participation in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

Ms. Bright explained this resolution is necessary in order to participate in the LIHWAP program. This program is to assist eligible ratepayers with past due sewer bills.

Mr. Snook made the motion to approve resolution #23-18 Authorizing Execution of Any and All Documents Necessary for the Participation in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which was seconded by Mr. DeYoung and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. McDermott, Mr. Snook, and Mr. DeYoung. Mr. Bower abstained from voting.

1. #23-19 Authorizing Employment Contract with Keisel Reyes as Sewer Repairer

Mr. Bower motioned to approve resolution #23-19 Authorizing Employment Contract with Keisel Reyes, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. McDermott, Mr. Snook, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Bower.

1. #23-20 Authorizing Employment Contract With James Raperto as On Call Sewer Repairer

Mr. Bower motioned to approve resolution #23-20 Authorizing Employment Contract as On Call Sewer Repairer with James Raperto, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. McDermott, Mr. Snook, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Bower.

1. #23-21 Authorizing Employment Contract With James Schmick as On Call Sewer Repairer

Mr. Bower motioned to approve resolution #23-20 Authorizing Employment Contract as On Call Sewer Repairer with James Schmick, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. McDermott, Mr. Snook, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Bower.

9. Administrator Update

Ms. Bright updated pump Station 2 is still in the pre-construction phase and there are no further updates at this time.

Ms. Bright said the sewer service area is being reviewed by the DEP and no additional updates at this time.

Ms. Bright stated a meeting on the transfer station will occur next month.

Ms. Bright said the updated 1^st Q reports will be added to the website.

10. Licensed Operator Report
11. Engineer Report

Mr. Benosky stated there is no change to the pump station 2 timeline.

Mr. Benosky added there is a NJDOT project starting on Rt 94; however, this will have no impact on VTMUA operations.

12. Discussion Items:
13. Review of Sub-Committees

Tabled until next meeting.

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

Mr. Bower made the motion to open the meeting to the public for items not on the agenda, which was seconded by Mr. Snook and carried by unanimous votes.

Sean Clarkin- Mr. Clarkin questioned moving from two part time employees to one full time employee and why that would be more beneficial. Mr. Clarkin commented the township is hiring part time employees and why wouldn’t the MUA follow the same structure. Ms. Bright answered the MUA and the Township are two separate entities.

Jessi Paladini- Ms. Paladini commented in theory all taxpayers pay for the MUA and the Mayor has stated that. Ms. Paladini added Mt. Creek defaulted on their sewer bill and the taxpayers had to pay, so don’t say tax payers don’t pay. Ms. Paladini added she has multiple purchase orders showing that. Ms. Paladini stated she is an advocate for meters. Ms. Paladini stated Sussex Borough just switched from user based to EDU, which doesn’t make sense.

Mr. DeYoung made the motion to close the meeting to the public for items not on the agenda, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by unanimous votes.

14. Commissioners’ Comments

Mr. Snook had no further comments.

Mr. DeYoung had no further comments.

Mr. Bower stated in past discussions on the funds given by the federal government he would like to see paperwork on rules and regulations on how the funds are to be used. Mr. Bright responded the funds were given to the Town and not the MUA; additionally, it is a community project with the funds specifically given for sewer expansion.

Mr. McDermott had no further comments.

15. Chairman’s Comments
16. Adjournment

Mr. DeYoung made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 pm, which was seconded by Mr. Bower and carried by unanimous votes.

Respectfully submitted,

Jaclyn McCabe, Recording Secretary