BERNARDS TOWNSHIP SEWERAGE AUTHORITY
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 24, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
The chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. Those assembled saluted the flag and the
chairperson read the open public meeting statement in accordance with the law.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Also Present:
Also Present:
Bianchi, Carpenter, Pavlini
Gaziano, Malay
Director Timko, Collections Supervisor Plesnarski, Hatch Mott MacDonald
Consultant Wohlleb
Terri Johnson, CFO, Bruce McArthur, Jill Searing
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
Harrison Brook Treatment Plant Hydraulic Overflow Study – Presentation by Nancy Wohlleb, PE, CME
Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM) has reviewed the feasibility of various improvements to the Bernards
Township (BTSA) Harrison Brook Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regarding plant operations during
extreme wet weather events. HMM, in preparation of the Feasibility Report, analyzed the STP’s wet
weather occurrence frequency, the STP’s performance during such events and causes of the resultant
hydraulic overflows. This Report provides an estimation of the STP’s historical overflow volumes based
upon available BTSA overflow data. HMM also analyzed the existing STP’s hydraulic conveyance
capabilities and resultant hydraulic conditions at flows of 7.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, and 12.0 million gallons
per day (MGD) through an examination of the STP’s existing hydraulic profile.
Based upon HMM’s hydraulic analysis, several potential improvements were identified.
Improvement 1 (Storage) involves two alternatives: Improvement 1A (Lagoon Storage) and 1B
(Storage Tank) at a cost of $6.6M and $7M respectively.
Improvement 2 (Hydraulic Improvements) has three components: Improvement 2A (Oxidation Ditches
to Final Clarifiers), involves the construction of a new 30” diameter pipeline and vavling to bypass the
Final Clarifiers Influent Distribution Chamber and incorporates the provision of a polymer feed system
to improve final clarifier performance during high flows. Cost of $1.5M
Improvement 2B (Final Clarifiers to Chlorine Contact Tanks) requires the construction of a parallel 30”
diameter pipeline to a new chlorine contact tank. Cost of $460,000
Improvement 2C (Chlorine Contact Tanks) requires the installation of a new rapid mixer at the chlorine
contact tanks to assure adequate chlorine contact time during high flow periods. Cost of $180,000
Based upon the incorporation of Improvement 2, HMM’s hydraulic modeling suggests that the STP
would be able to convey a peak wet weather flow of approximately 11 MGD, as compared to the
existing conveyance capacity in wet weather flow of 9 MGD.
Improvement 3 (UV Disinfection) is converting the STP’s disinfection process from chlorination/dechlorination to Ultraviolet (UV) Light disinfection. This conversion is not required to address the
overflow issue, but as an alternative to Improvement 2C, in that a UV disinfection facility can be
constructed such that it can accommodate a peak flow of 11 MDG. Cost of $3.3M
Improvement 4A (Influent) and 4B (Effleunt) relate to installing a new flow meter along the discharge
line of the raw sewage pump station and installing an area-velocity meter that can work in free flowing
and submerged conditions in the plant outfall pipe. These improvements would allow the STP to
measure and/or record the high, wet weather flow events entering or leaving the STP which not
prevents the BTSA from fully quantifying the overflow events or discharge rates (volume and duration of
overflows). Cost $320,000
Based upon the cost information as well as other factors such as operations and maintenance,
flexibility, handling of “back-to-back” overflow events, HMM recommended that BTSA proceed with
Improvements 2A, 2B and 2C and 4A and 4B to address the overflow issue at a total cost of $2.42
million dollars.
Improvement
lA
1B
2A
2B
2C
SubTotal 2A,B &C
3
4A&4B
Total 2A,B&C, 4A&B
Description
Construction Cost ($) Project Cost($)
Lagoon Storage
$5,323,000
$6,660,000
$5,658,000
$7,080,000
Storage Tank ·
$1,215,120
Oxidation Ditch to Clarifiers
$1,520,000
Clarifiers to Chlorine Contact Tank $360,240
$460,000
$137,040
Chlorine Contact Tank
$180,000
$1,669,800
$2,100,000
$2,661,240
Ultraviolet Disinfection
$3,330,000
Flow Metering
$249,720
$320,000
$I,9I9,520
$2,420,000
NJDEP continues to have concerns with the STP overflow issues. Timko recommends moving forward
with the flow metering project, after review of the budget, as soon as possible, along with the flood
prone manhole project before any major construction projects are started at the plant.
Those projects, along with a financial plan for other projects, would demonstrate to the DEP the
Authority is being proactive in addressing the overflow issues.
Sewer System Repairs, Budget, Reserves and User Fees
The Authority revisited the No Maple Ave issue…
Capital plan 2015-16 with two major projects broken into phases FST-RAS WAS pumps can be put off
freeing up $800,000/$600,000.
Clarifiers-2017 can be put off due to plant issues not being complete at that time.
No Maple Avenue needs to be addressed immediately with phase 1- $900k, phase 2- $700k…surplus
money or borrowed money may be an option.
CFO – BTSA does not have a Bond rating – bond anticipation note can be done quickly, PG Bank
loans to any municipality it does business with, payable within a year.
Carpenter – take from reserves, get project done, and trim our sails until we can replenish our reserves
to the extent possible.
2-year phase 2015-2016 bucket elevator project may be put off at a cost of $500k
Pavlini – a $20 increase = $200,000
Bianchi – looking to have surplus analysis discussion.
Timko – context of overflow study and No Maple – do you want to take the approach of how much
available for emergency or how do you raise money in an emergency. Surplus doesn’t do much for us
so we can spend but we need a process in place to generate funds or borrow funds quickly.
Bianchi – use surplus now/borrow later if necessary.
Timko – the idea is to have money available when there is a destructive natural event, hurricane, fire,
flood and what equipment would most likely be damaged under that type of scenario.
Pavlini – natural disaster
Carpenter – the amount on hand right now is hard to come by, and better for having it. It has been
engendered in members the spirit of doing everything possible to retain that surplus the rate payers
benefit. We can always use funds but that doesn’t manage the situation appropriately. We should
reassess the long term capital plan and find a way to save money, spread out the cost of unexpected
problems, do what is necessary, raise rates, spend small amount of reserves. Reserve is invaluable
and should be preserved.
Bianchi – how does insurance play into all of these issues, are there exclusions for natural disasters?
Timko – will look into the insurance aspect of several scenarios.
Spend $1.7M for No Maple out of surplus, $10M surplus, $2.5M in capital for the next few years, use
reserve now on what needs to be taken care.
Tom/Terri will meet to discuss projects and options and not worry about outside financing.
Stonehouse 2013 project, being built done now…$1.6m awarded out of prior year, $2.4 not yet
awarded, $680k not yet awarded from next year.
Motion by Pavlini, second by Bianchi to approve funding for the North Maple Avenue project, Phases 1
and 2 at a cost of approximately $900,000 and $700,000 or $1.6 million dollars to be funded out of
surplus $10M. Future options will be presented to the Authority on a later date on how to possibly
regain funds.
Timko- other projects for 2016-’17 may become more difficult to fund. The video inspection is on-going
and an intern is in the process of reviewing our filed maps looking for similar types of pipe as No Maple
Avenue so they can be videoed to be sure of their condition. Some additional work may be needed in
the future.
Roll Call
Aye:
Bianchi, Carpenter, Pavlini
Nay:
Motion Carried
EXECUTIVE SESSION-RESOLUTION #1444
Motion by Pavlini, second by Bianchi, to approve Resolution #1444 and the meeting adjourned to
executive session at 7:06 PM.
All in favor; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine J. De Grande