MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING
THE SOMERSET RARITAN VALLEY SEWERAGE AUTHORITY
November 27, 2017
Minute 1 – Opening of Meeting
The Board Meeting of the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority was called to order at 7:33 P.M. by Chairman Joseph Lifrieri.
Minute 2 – Open Public Meetings Announcement
The Open Public Meeting Announcement was read by the Executive Director, Ronald S. Anastasio.
Minute 3 – Roll Call
Present/Absent Present/Absent
__x______Todd Hay
__x______Louis Esposito, Jr. __x______Peter Stires
______x__ Philip Petrone __x______Randy Smith
__x______Edward Machala __x______Michael Impellizeri
__x______Carolann Garafola __x______Gail Quabeck
______x__ Steven Mlenak _*x______Robert Albano
__x______Richard Mathews __x______Joseph Lifrieri *Arrived at 7:55 p.m.
Professional Staff
Ronald Anastasio, P.E., Executive Director Present
Sherwin Ulep, P.E., Facility Engineer Present
Anthony Tambasco, Plant Superintendent Present
Michael Ingenito, Chief Plant Operator Absent
Dennis Smith, Supervisor Liquid Division Absent
Ellie Hoffman, Reg. Compliance Officer/Asst. Engineer Present
Linda Hering, Human Resources Manager Present
Peter Wozniak, Chief Financial Officer Present
Donna O’Shea, Administrative Assistant Present
Others
Thomas Laustsen, CDM Smith Present
Joseph Maraziti, Esq., Maraziti, Falcon, Gen’l. Counsel Present
Minute 4 – Pledge of Allegiance
All in attendance saluted the flag.
Minute 5 – Approval of Minutes
A. Board Meeting Open Session Minutes – October 23, 2017
Upon Motion of Mr. Machala, Second of Mr. Hay, the Minutes of the October 23, 2017 Meeting (Open Session) were approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith ______x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
B. Board Meeting Closed Session Minutes – October 23, 2017
Upon Motion of Mr. Impellizeri, Second of Mr. Machala, the Minutes of the October 23, 2017 Meeting (Closed Session) were approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith ______x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
Minute 6– Public Hearings –
A. Public Hearing Regarding Approval Of The Amendment Of The Authority’s FY 2018 Budget
Upon Motion of Mr. Machala, Second of Mr. Smith, the public hearing was open by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
Chairman Lifrieri noted that no one from the public was in attendance for the meeting.
Upon Motion of Mr. Impellizeri, Second of Ms. Quabeck, the public hearing was closed by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
Res. No. 17-1127-1 – Resolution Approving the Amendment of the Authority’s FY 2018 Budget
Upon Motion of Ms. Garafola, Second of Mr. Esposito, the above resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
Res. No. 17-1127-2 – Resolution Approving the Adoption of the Authority’s FY2018 Budget
Upon Motion of Mr Impellizeri, Second of Ms. Garafola, the above Resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
B. Public Hearing Regarding the Modification of the Non-Domestic Wastewater Discharge Permits Issued To Two IPP Permitees
Upon Motion of Ms. Quabeck, Second of Ms. Garafola, the meeting was open to the public by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
Chairman Lifrieri noted that no one from the public was in attendance for the meeting.
Upon Motion of Mr. Smith, Second of Mr. Stires, the public portion of the meeting was closed by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
(1) Res. No. 17-1127-3 – Resolution Approving The Modification Of The Non-Domestic Wastewater Discharge Permit Issued To Henkel Corporation
Upon Motion of Mr. Hay, Second of Ms. Garafola, the above resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay ______x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
(2) Res. No. 17-1127-5 – Resolution Approving The Modification Of The Non-Domestic Wastewater Discharge Permit Issued To Kashiv Pharma, LLC
Upon Motion of Mr. Mathews, Second of Mr. Hay, the above resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
Minute 7 – Public Participation
Upon Motion of Mr. Impellizeri, Second of Ms. Garafola, the meeting was open to the public by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
Chairman Lifrieri noted that no one from the public was in attendance for the meeting.
Upon Motion of Mr. Impellizeri, Second of Ms. Garafola, the public portion of the meeting was closed by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
Minute 8 – Consent Resolutions for Consideration and Possible Formal Action
(1) Res. No. 17-1127-4 – Resolution Authorizing An Amendment To The Agreement With Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) For Sludge Hauling Services
Upon Motion of Mr. Machala, Second of Mr. Stires, the above Resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
(2) Res. No. 17-1127-6 – Resolution Approving Sewer Extension For Proposed Facility Expansion of LabCorp At The Intersection Of Johnson Drive And Meehan Avenue In Raritan Borough
Upon Motion of Mr. Machala, Second of Mr. Stires, the above resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews ______x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
(3) Res. No. 17-1127-7 – Resolution Awarding The Bid For Internal Instrumentation And SCADA Maintenance, Calibration And Repair (Bid No. B-18-2)
Executive Director Anastasio handed out to all in attendance and amended Resolution adding “hereby rejects the bid of Optimum Control Corporation due to the material defect listed above and, thereby, awards the bid to Allied Control Services, Inc.”
Discussion ensued about Allied Control Services, Inc. having worked on the Internal Instrumentation and SCADA Maintenance in the past. Director Anastasio said that they’ve been with us for a long time. Commissioner Quabeck added that SRVSA is happy with them and the cost is not much more than last contract.
Upon Motion of Mr. Machala, Second of Mr. Stires, the above resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
(4) Res. No. 17-1127-8 – Resolution Awarding The Bid For Wastewater Flow Metering System Maintenance, Calibration And Repair Services
Upon Motion of Mr. Machala, Second of Mr. Stires, the above resolution was approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes No Abstain Absent
Todd Hay _x______
Philip Petrone ______x__
Edward Machala _x______
Carolann Garafola _x______
Steven Mlenak ______x__
Richard Mathews _x______
Louis Esposito, Jr. _x______
Peter Stires _x______
Randy Smith _x______
Michael Impellizeri _x______
Gail Quabeck _x______
Robert Albano ______x__
Joseph Lifrieri _x______
A copy of the Resolution is attached hereto and made part of the Official Minutes
Minute 9 – Board Committees –
A. FINANCE COMMITTEE (QUABECK, Impellizeri, Machala, Mathews, Albano, Mlenak)
(1) Report on SCTF Bonding – Executive Director Anastasio explained that a meeting was just held prior to the November 27th Board Meeting. The report on this will be part of next month’s Board Meeting (December 18th).
Minute 10 – Chairperson
A. Nomination of Committees to Select Officers for 2018
Chairman Lifrieri appointed the following Commissioners for the Nomination Committee 2018.
- Philip Petrone
- Edward Machala
- Peter Stires
- Robert Albano
B. Chairman Lifrieri made the announcement of the SRVSA Holiday Party to be held on December 21, 2017 at noontime at SRVSA.
Minute 11 – Reports
A. Executive Director’s Report:
(1.) Update on SSO Project:
At our last Board Meeting, I informed you all that we were preparing for the Green Acres hearings and accomplishing all the necessary tasks to get on the next Agenda for the Statehouse Commission Meeting. The hearings were accomplished; we made all the required advertisements; Resolutions were passed by the two applicants (which are Somerville Borough and Somerset County for the land we are purchasing and an easement on another parcel). Easement language also needed to be reviewed by the DEP and a number of other things. So, all of the required steps have been met. The Statehouse Commission was supposed to meet in September, but they met on November 13th, which is when we were in the midst of getting together all of these preparations. Maybe they’ll meet in December or January. We were worried that there would be a backlog on the Agenda; and if they didn’t have the November 13th meeting we might get bumped off to a meeting after we completed our tasks. Sounds like the Docket is pretty clear now with filling in new applications and we are one of them. Looks like we’re on track and everything is in place.
Regarding the Administrative Consent Order, we have a meeting scheduled for December 7th with the Borough of Somerville to discuss our different comments on this ACO and then plan to go to DEP together. We’ll report the goings on of that meeting at our next Board Meeting on December 18th. We need to have the December 7th meeting to hear each other on certain points.
We discussed with our Finance Committee and at our last Board Meeting of our moving forward on the bonding of this project. What we’re learning from the Design Engineer is that we’re honing the construction costs – it’s gone up a bit. We have a call tomorrow to talk about that. There’s been several things that have had to be modified in the design -- things that are relatively small but they add up. There are two big things that jump out: One is that the building, as it was originally designed, they come to find out that under the worst flooding conditions, the building could possibly float, which is called a buoyancy problem. Commissioner Lifrieri interjected his experience with a buoyancy problem he experienced. He said they came up with a solution to put in rock anchors which protects from the force of flooding and we saved over $1,000,000 – we should probably look into something like this.
Director Anastasio stated that the second thing is that even though we were not affected by Hurricane Sandy, DEP requires us to build above the 500-year floodline, not the 100-year floodline. We put a safety factor on top of that but things are in flux with weather conditions/flooding.
(2.) Update on Incinerator Project:
This is moving along nicely. The Mercury Building structural steel has already been erected. We’ve done the selective demolition inside the R2 Building and pretty soon our new heat exchangers, new piping and things like that will be installed in that building. We’re hoping that we can restart R2 temporarily around the new year.