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