Minutes: June 21, 2018

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority (VTMUA) of the Township of Vernon was convened at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2018 in the Vernon Municipal Center, 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

Statement of Compliance

Adequate notice of this meeting had been provided to the public and the press on February 15, 2018 and was posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6.

Roll Call

Roll Call of Professionals

Executive Director John Scerbo and Attorney Joseph Salvadore were also present.

1. Plaque Presentation to Gloria Frato Gallo

Executive Director John Scerbo said this presentation is postponed until August.

2. Open the Meeting for Public Comments

Dave McDermott moved to open the meeting for public comment.
Edward Seger seconded the motion.
All were in favor.

Anita Pivirotto of Great Gorge Village came forward. She thinks it is unfair that Great Gorge Village residents have high sewer bills. She said she moved from Warwick because she could no longer afford to live there and now it is unaffordable for her to live in Vernon due to the high sewer fees. She said something must be done.

John Scerbo said they are looking to expand the sewer system in order to bring on more ratepayers to be able to spread the costs.

3. Close the Meeting to the Public

Paul Kearney moved to close the meeting to the public.
Dave McDermott seconded the motion.
All were in favor.

4. Consent Agenda

Resolution 18-38: Authorizing the Payment of Bills for June 21, 2018

Edward Seger moved to approve the payment of bills.
Paul Kearney seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Segar, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

5. Approval of Minutes

Regular Meeting of May 17, 2018

Paul Kearney moved to approve the May 17, 2018 minutes.
Dave McDermott seconded the motion

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Segar, John Perry, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None
Abstention: Paul Kearney

6. Resolutions

A. Resolution 18-39: 2017 Audit Corrective Action

The audit has no recommendations. No corrective action was required.

Paul Kearney moved to approve Resolution 18-39.
Edward Seger seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Segar, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

B. Resolution 18-40: Contracting for the Services of a QPA

The contract is being awarded to Canning Group, LLC at a rate of $150 an hour.

Edward Seger moved to approve Resolution 18-40.
Paul Kearney seconded the motion.

Discussion: Edward Seger suggested limiting or estimating the cost of writing bids and RFPs, not to exceed a certain amount. John Scerbo said they could require an estimate for Bid/RFP writing prior to approval. The resolution was amended to include that language.

Edward Seger moved to approve the amendment.
Paul Kearney seconded the amendment.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Segar, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

Roll Call Vote to Approve the Resolution as Amended:
Ayes: Edward Segar, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

7. Receipt and Filing of Correspondence

None

8. Auditor’s Report - 2017 Audit

John Scerbo reported they closed out the 2017 audit, and the VTMUA is in good shape.

9. Attorney’s Report

No report

10. Engineer’s Report

John Scerbo gave the engineer’s report.

A. New Sewer Applications

There are no new sewer applications.

B. Status of Asset Management Loan Application

Mr. Scerbo reported the township is losing its CFO, Elke Yetter, who has taken a position as county treasurer. Therefore, the VTMUA is losing its CFO as well. Mr. Scerbo asked Ms. Yetter to put together a document to fill her replacement in on where they are with the asset management application, bond attorney, and any other outstanding matters Ms. Yetter has been working on.

C. Sewer Expansion

The VTMUA received approval from the Highlands. It was sent to the DEP.

11. Executive Director’s Report

Mr. Scerbo reported a break in a line on Friday, June 15. It was detected at 1:30 in the afternoon and repaired by 7:30 that night. He is making arrangements to have a check valve installed.

Mr. Scerbo reported the VTMUA had a Small Claims Court claim by a sewer user, alleging his unit was being overcharged. The claim was settled with an agreement to have the assessor go to his unit to check it out and possibly reassess it. A week later, the sewer user called and canceled and said he does not want anyone going into his unit. The matter was dismissed.

The VTMUA received their new cell phones yesterday. The phones will be set up next week.

On Friday, June 15, when Mr. Scerbo’s truck was parked at Pump Station #3, one of the field workers backed up his truck onto a mound. Unbeknown to Mr. Scerbo, when he later moved his truck off the mound he found out the mound was surrounded by an old foundation that destroyed his running board when he pulled forward. He is requesting the commissioners approve a resolution for $318.99 reimbursement for the repair. Edward Seger questioned whether they were setting a precedent in reimbursing Mr. Scerbo for the matter. The commissioners discussed the matter and voted all in favor of reimbursing Mr. Scerbo and to also speak with the insurance company about their policy to include options in the future to cover such incidents.

Motion by Edward Seger
Seconded by Paul Kearney

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Segar, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

12. Commissioners’ Comments

None

13. Chairman’s Comments

None

14. Executive Session

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 permits the exclusion of the public in certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority of the Township of Vernon as follows.

1. The public shall be excluded from discussion of and action upon the hereinafter-specified subject matter.

2. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is litigation.

Edward Seger moved to go into executive session at 7:40 p.m.
Dave McDermott seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Seger, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

15. Close Executive Session

Dave McDermott moved to close executive session at 8:47 p.m.
Edward Seger seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Seger, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

16. Return to Public Session

Edward Seger moved to return to public session at 8:48 p.m.
Dave McDermott seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Seger, John Perry, Paul Kearney, and Dave McDermott
Nays: None

Adjournment

Edward Seger moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Dave McDermott seconded the motion.
All were in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The next meeting of the VTMUA will be on June 21, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Transcribed and submitted by Jessica Paladini
Vernon Township MUA Secretary