Minutes: August 15, 2024

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

VERNON TOWNSHIP

MUNICIPAL UTILITY AUTHORITY

 

1. Call to Order

This regular meeting of the Vernon township Municipal Utilities Authority, August 15, 2024 will now convene at 7.05pm.   

 

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 31, 2023 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:

Paul Kearney

Kristin Wheaton

Dave McDermott

Ed DeYoung

Mark Bower

The following member was absent:

Pat Rizzuto

The following professionals were present: Rob McNinch, Auditor; Steve Benosky, Engineer; Rich Wenner, Attorney; Howard Lazier, Licensed Operator; Jaclyn McCabe, Recording Secretary

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

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

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

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

6. Resolution #24-17: Approval of the Bills

Mr. McDermott motioned to approve resolution #24-27, Approval of the Bills, which was seconded by Ms. Wheaton and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr.  Kearney, Ms. Wheaton, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. DeYoung. Mr. Bower abstained.

7. Approval of Minutes:
   1. Minutes: 6/20/24

Mr. Bower motioned to approve the meeting minutes from 6.20.24, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Bower. Ms. Wheaton and Mr. DeYoung abstained.

8. Resolutions:
   1. #24-18 Authorizing the Award of a Required Disclosure Contract with JEM Electric for the Renovations at Pump Station 3

Mr. McDermott motioned to approve #24-18 Authorizing the Award of a Required Disclosure Contract with JEM Electric for the Renovations at Pump Station 3, which was seconded by Ms. Wheaton and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Ms. Wheaton, Mr. McDermott, Mr. DeYoung, and Mr. Bower.

1. #24- 19 Acceptance of the 2023 Audit

Mr. McNinch reviewed the audit. Mr. McNinch noted the audit was clean and no findings. Mr. McNinch stated all rules and regulations and internal controls are being followed and working as designed.

Mr. DeYoung motioned to approve resolution #24-19 Acceptance of the 20236 Audit, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by the affirmative votes of Mr. Kearney, Ms. Wheaton, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. DeYoung. Mr. Bower abstained.

9. Administrator Update

No report given.

10. Licensed Operator Report

Mr. Lazier reported there was a small break at Le Touquet, the line was dug up by machine and replaced. There was a small leak but it went directly to the lift station.

Mr. Lazier reported that the pumps were tested at pump station 2 and everything worked well. Mr. Lazier said they station should be fully on line within the next couple of weeks.

11. Engineer Report

Mr. Benosky reported preliminary testing was done on PS2 today and all went well. The project should be completed in the next week. Demolotion of the old pump station will commence after the new station is online.

Mr. Benosky updated the waste water plan will be officially approved after the amendment. The first step is to go to the County and that should happen shortly.

12. 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. Bower and carried by unanimous votes.

 

13. Commissioners’ Comments

Mr. DeYoung commented he appreciated the patience and support while he was recovering.

Ms. Wheaton commented the audit read well and we are in good shape. Ms. Wheaton added we are losing ground to some extent but still successful.

Mr. Bower commented he met with Mr. Wenner and Ms. Bright to discuss separate billing for homes with meters and to use EDUs for homes without meters. Mr. Bower stated he presented higher court cases to support this type of billing is reasonable but the trail had ended there.

Mr. McDermott stated he liked the weekly updates. Mr. McDermott added if Legends comes together, it will be more income.

14. Chairman’s Comments

Mr. Kearney thanks Ms. Bright and Ms. McCabe for keeping the MUA in the right direction. Mr. Kearney added the audit was good although we are slipping back a little. Mr. Kearney stated that all of our projects have a light at the end of the tunnel and seem to be moving in the right direction.

15. Adjournment

Mr. Bower made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 pm, which was seconded by Mr. McDermott and carried by unanimous votes.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________

Jaclyn McCabe, Recording Secretary

Minutes approved: October 10, 2024