Fall 2005
NEWS
www.rahwayvalleysa.com
Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority Breaks Ground
on Plant Upgrades
Change is afoot at the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority (RVSA). Earlier this year, the RVSA hosted a groundbreaking
ceremony at its Central-New Jersey wastewater treatment facility, to commemorate the beginning of plant upgrades under
its Comprehensive Strategic Plan (CSP) and recognize those who are helping to make the improvements possible. The
ceremony took place on Thursday, April 28th, during New Jersey’s 17th Annual Environmental Education Week.
The plant upgrade and expansion
project is one of the first improvement
projects in New Jersey to eliminate
sewer overflows. The project will
implement new technology to create
efficiencies at the plant and vastly
improve environmental impact.
The
RVSA,
together
with
partners in the CSP — the CSP
Design team and Professional
Advisors — were pleased to
welcome officials from the New
Jersey Environmental Infrastructure
Members of the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority (RVSA) 2005 Board of Commissioners with
Trust (NJEIT) and the New Jersey
representatives of the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT) and the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) at the April 28th groundbreaking ceremony
Department
of
Environmental
(L to R): Thomas J. McHale, RVSA Commissioner- Kenilworth; Robert G. Luban, RVSA CommisProtection (NJDEP) to the site for
sioner- Woodbridge; John C. Ludington II, RVSA Commissioner- Rahway; Joan Papen, RVSA Comthe groundbreaking. The NJEIT Loan
missioner- Scotch Plains; Warren Victor, Vice Chairman, NJEIT; Bradley Campbell, Commissioner,
Program has provided approximately
NJDEP; Robert Briant, Sr., Chairman, NJEIT; Dennis Hart, Executive Director, NJEIT; Rosalie F.
Berger, RVSA Commissioner- Springfield; Charles P. Lombardo, RVSA Commissioner- Garwood;
$150 million of long-term financing
James J. Murphy, RVSA Commissioner- Cranford (Vice Chairman, RVSA Board); Richard P. Tokarski,
for the CSP at a reduced interest
Executive Director, RVSA. RVSA Commissioners not pictured: Allen Chin- Westfield (Chairman,
rate. In July 2005, RVSA issued
RVSA Board); C. Clark Landale- Mountainside; Frank G. Mazzarella- Clark; and Attilio S. Venturo$35 million of long-term Capital
Roselle Park.
Appreciation Bonds related to the
CSP and will close on an additional $42 million borrowing in November 2005 under the NJEIT Loan Program.
“New Jersey’s growing population and ever more strict environmental regulations have increased the demand for wastewater
treatment services in recent years. Our CSP will allow us to continue providing this valuable service and to be at the forefront
of environmental improvements,” commented James J. Murphy, Vice Chairman of the RVSA Board of Commissioners, at the
groundbreaking ceremony.
At the ceremony, the RVSA Board of Commissioners were on hand to thank and
recognize the partners involved in the plant upgrades including the CSP Design
team of Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor (PS&S), Camp Dresser & McKee (CDM),
and Metcalf & Eddy (M&E); the NJDEP; the Professional Advisors including
Environmental Inspectors, Argent Associates, Bond Counsel, Connell Foley LLP,
and Financial Advisors, NW Financial Group; the NJEIT, for providing funding
(Continued, see RVSA Breaks Ground)
RVSA Receives Honors
The RVSA received a Silver Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
on May 1st, 2005. The Peak Performance Awards program recognized public wastewater treatment facilities for their outstanding compliance records in the 2004 calendar year. A Silver Award recognizes those facilities that have received no more
than five National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permit violations in a calendar year.
NACWA was proud to recognize more than 300 Peak Performance Award facilities during the Association’s 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting held in Washington,
D.C. Ken Kirk, NACWA’s Executive Director, commented, “The RVSA gives an
outstanding example of environmental efforts. NACWA is honored to showcase
their achievements and our Nation’s public wastewater utilities through the Peak
Performance Awards Program.”
In addition, the RVSA received a Special Recognition Award for working as a member of the New Jersey Harbor Dischargers Group (NJHDG). Established in the
early 1990s, the NJHDG strives to assure that cost-effective harbor-related pollution
monitoring and control programs are implemented in the New Jersey section of the
N.Y./N.J. Harbor Estuary. Mr. Kirk said, “Our Special Recognition Award is reserved
for those occasions when commitment and service clearly make a difference. We are proud to honor the New Jersey
Harbor Dischargers Group for their water quality monitoring program.”
RVSA staff accept the Special Recognition
Award (L to R): Anthony Gencarelli; Edward Kochick; N.J. Congressman Donald
Payne (10th District); Marcin Ziobron;
John Hruska; and Ken Kirk, NACWA.
The RVSA was honored along with the other members of the NJHDG including: Bergen County Utilities Authority;
Edgewater Municipal Utilities Authority; Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties; Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority;
Middlesex County Utilities Authority; North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority; North Hudson Sewerage Authority;
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners; and Secaucus Municipal Utilities Authority. n
RVSA’s Licensed Operators
To safeguard the environment, Federal regulations require wastewater treatment facilities to be supervised and operated by
licensed individuals. The “S” licenses are designated for sanitary wastewater treatment systems, and fall into four classifications: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Individuals seeking an S1 Operators’ License must complete 180 hours of classroom training and have a
minimum of one year of operating experience. Wastewater professionals who meet these requirements must then complete
a test in order to demonstrate competency in math, process, mechanical, laboratory, hydraulics, and safety disciplines. The
intensity and depth of training increases with each classification — S4 Operators must have between five and ten years of
experience depending upon their educational background. In order to qualify for the S2, S3 or S4 exam, an additional 90
hours of classroom training is required. All S class license holders must obtain Training Contact Hours (TCH) in order to
maintain their licenses. S1 and S2 require 18 TCH, S3 and S4
require 36 TCH in each three-year period.
The RVSA wishes to recognize its Licensed Operators
for their hard work and dedication to ensuring smooth,
safe and compliant operation of the facility: Alexander
Biel (S3); Edward Buldowski (S2); Edward Faryna (S1);
Anthony Gencarelli (S2); Stephen Issardin (S1); Walter
Jordan (S2); Edward Kochick (S2); Thomas Macaluso (S2);
Jean Manigold (S4); David Patrick (S1); Michael Rogers, Sr.
(S1); Robert Safchinsky (S2); Andrew Sasso (S1); Mahendra
Surujnath (S2); Janet Thevenin (S1); Richard Tokarski (S4);
Robert Valent (S2); and Thomas Watters (S1). n
The RVSA’s Licensed Operators (L to R): Edward Kochick; Edward
Buldowski; Jean Manigold; Mahendra Surjunath; Thomas Macaluso;
Janet Thevenin; Thomas Watters; Stephen Issardin; Anthony Gencarelli;
Walter Jordan; Andrew Sasso; David Patrick; Michael Rogers, Sr.;
Alexander Biel; Robert Valent; Robert Safchinsky; and Edward Faryna.
Richard Tokarski not pictured.
RVSA
RVSA Participates in ‘Operations Challenge’
Team Becomes One of Only Two New Jersey Teams Competing
The RVSA has formed an ‘Operations Challenge’ team that will compete with other teams from wastewater treatment facilities around the country in Pleasantville, N.J., this Fall. Originated in 1988, the Operations Challenge competition is hosted by
the Water Environment Federation and its member associations such as the New Jersey Water Environment Association.
The RVSA team — called “The Valley Vermin” — joins 17 other teams including only one other team from New Jersey
— the Cape Shore Workers of the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority. These teams normally compete at
regional competitions such as the one in Pleasantville, N.J., in order to “tune up” for the Annual National Competition. This
year’s National competition will take place at the Water Environment Federation’s 78th Annual Technical Exhibition and
Conference on November 1st in Washington, D.C.
The Operations Challenge provides an opportunity for wastewater personnel to demonstrate their skills in collection system, laboratory, maintenance, process control, and safety events. According to Dan Ward, RVSA
Maintenance Supervisor, the RVSA decided to form a team after a number of employees expressed interest in participating. Anthony Gencarelli,
RVSA Manager of Regulatory Compliance, said, “Our team is eager to
demonstrate their skills and network with other wastewater collection
and treatment personnel.”
“The Valley Vermin” (L to R): Stephen Issardin; Dan Ward;
Janet Thevenin; George Cheskowich; and John Derkack.
Not pictured: Anthony Gencarelli and David Patrick.
According to Mr. Gencarelli, one of the advantages that participating collection system and treatment agencies have experienced, is improved
morale and camaraderie among staff. “The training associated with
competing in these events improves the skill and confidence level of the
participating employees,” said Mr. Gencarelli. “This program fosters team
(Continued, see ‘Operations Challenge’)
RVSA Breaks Ground
(Continued)
at a reduced interest rate; E.E. Cruz Construction
Co., general contractor for on-site construction;
Northeast Remsco Construction (NRC), general
contractor for the off-site construction of a Gravity
Relief Sewer; J.H. Reid Construction Co., general
contractor for the Cogeneration facility; and
Consolidated Construction Management Services
(CCMS), for providing construction management
and oversight services.
“We are fortunate to have the support of the NJDEP
and NJEIT, and to have some of the most highly
skilled contractors in the state working on the plant
upgrades,” said Mr. Murphy. “We look forward to
successfully completing this initiative and continuing
to lead the way in protecting our environment.” n
Representatives of the companies working on the plant upgrade — Northeast
Remsco Construction (NRC), Consolidated Construction Management Services
(CCMS), Camp, Dresser & McKee (CDM), Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor (PS&S),
and E.E. Cruz — attended the groundbreaking (L to R): Rich Palmer, NRC; Tim
Fitzpatrick, Argent Associates; Keith Kelly, CDM; Ken Smith, CDM; Jack Tobin,
E.E. Cruz; Joe Malandro, E.E. Cruz; Dave Coats, CCMS; Lino DeAlmeida, Jr.,
CCMS; Jim Wancho, PS&S; Jeff Cruz, E.E. Cruz; Pat O’Connor, E.E. Cruz; Joe
Schafer, NRC; John Buonocore, CCMS; and Lino DeAlmeida, III, CCMS.
1050 East Hazelwood Avenue
Rahway, New Jersey 07065
‘Operations Challenge’ (Continued)
Chairman: Allen Chin
spirit and problem solving and provides an opportunity for employees to better
understand and appreciate their coworkers’ responsibilities and work efforts.”
Vice Chairman: James J. Murphy
Executive Director: Richard P. Tokarski
Secretary - Treasurer: Robert J. Materna
Commissioners:
Rosalie F. Berger, Springfield
Allen Chin, Westfield
C. Clark Landale, Mountainside
Charles P. Lombardo, Garwood
Robert G. Luban, Woodbridge
John C. Ludington II, Rahway
Frank G. Mazzarella, Clark
Thomas J. McHale, Kenilworth
James J. Murphy, Cranford
Joan Papen, Scotch Plains
Attilio S. Venturo, Roselle Park
The RVSA team normally meets once a week to practice for the competition.
As the competition date gets closer, the team will meet at least twice a week
including practicing on weekends. Team members include: George Cheskowich,
Process Operator II ; John Derkack, Chief Mechanic; Anthony Gencarelli, Manager
of Regulatory Compliance; Stephen Issardin, Process Operator II ; David Patrick,
Shift Supervisor; Janet Thevenin, IPP Coordinator; and Dan Ward, Maintenance
Supervisor. Dan Ward is the Team Coordinator and Anthony Gencarelli assists
Mr. Ward with the team training.
For more information on the Operations Challenge competition, visit the Water
Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference Web site at
www.weftec.org. n
Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority
1050 East Hazelwood Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey 07065
Phone: 732-388-0868 • Fax: 732-382-0774
Web site: www.rahwayvalleysa.com