The Special Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Francis “Bud” Denner, at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2005, at the Township Municipal Building.  Supervisors present were F. “Bud” Denner, Lewis K. McQuirns and Donald J. Gracia. 

            Following roll call, Mr. Denner offered a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance was then recited by all in attendance. 

            The Chairman then reviewed the purpose of the meeting.  Mr. Denner explained that this is an informational meeting to discuss sanitary issues in the Township.

            The Chairman called on Mr. Dick Smith of EDM Consultants, Mr. Bruce Shoupe, East Norriton Township Zoning Officer and Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting Engineers to report on the weekend storm of April 2, 2005 through April 3, 2005.  Mr. Dick Smith reviewed the discussions from the April 1, 2005 meeting with the Department of Environmental Protection; DEP is looking for a plan of action from the three municipalities and Joint Sewer Authority before more connections can be made to the sewer system.  Matt Brown reported that the Joint Sewer Authority received a violation notice from the Department of Environmental Protection which resulted in the meeting with DEP and representatives from the Joint Sewer Authority, East Norriton Township, Whitpain Township and Plymouth Township. Mr. Brown reiterated that the Department of Environmental Protection is requiring an Action and Management Plan from the Joint Sewer Authority.

            Mr. Charles Fagan from the Joint Sewer Authority reported that normal flows on a Monday are approximately three million galloons per day however, this past Monday, April 4, 2005 after the heavy weekend rain the flows were monitored at thirteen million gallons per day.

            Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Engineering reviewed the problems with the Saw Mill  Pump Station and the lack of capacity.  East Norriton Township’s major problem is that the measure flume which measures the Township’s flows into the station is actually restricting the flows from East Norriton Township’s line into the station which in turn backs the flows up into the line and thus creates an overflow out of the manholes in front of the station.

            Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Engineering then reviewed the capacity problems with the force main and gravity lines between the Saw Mill pump station and the treatment plant.  Mr. Brown reported that ARRO Engineering is performing a study of the Saw Mill pump station and the lines in order to provide a recommendation to the Joint Sewer Authority.  Mr. Brown advised that if the I&I problems are not addressed by the three municipalities the treatment plant cannot handle the flows even with upgrades.

            Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Engineering reported on East Norriton Township’s status of Inflow and Infiltration Inspections.   ARRO Engineering found an area in the Township where the I&I flows are generated but up to this point they cannot isolate the exact location of the inflow and infiltration.  The flows appear to be generated from many small leaks throughout the system.  ARRO now needs to take a more aggressive approach with TVing the line laterals.

            Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reported that the Sandra Lane pump station normally pumps thirty-five thousand gallons per day but during heavy rains the station will pump four hundred thousand gallons per day.  It has been determined that the excess flows do not appear to be significantly generated from the Sandra Lane and Faith Drive areas and most of the inflow and infiltration is measured from the Whitehall Road area.

            Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reported that the Equalization Tank is a desperate option of the Township which is being considered in conjunction with the inflow and infiltration resolution.

            EDM Consultants, Mr. Dick Smith expressed that the only way for the Township to free up connections from DEP is to build the equalization tank and agrees that the Township has to continue with an aggressive inflow and infiltration program. 

            Public Works Director, Mr. Joseph Sorgini agrees with Mr. Smith and believes that the Township may never get the inflow and infiltration out of the system.  He noted that this has been a problem for over thirty years.  Mr. Sorgini feels that the Township must get more aggressive with the residents in dealing with sump pumps and lateral leaks.

            EDM Consultants, Mr. Dick Smith reviewed the holding tank options and the Township’s actions to increase the pumping speed at the Germantown pump station to determine if it eliminates the overflows at the Germantown pump station and creates the overflows at Timberlake.  The holding tank could possibly be located adjacent to the Timberlake station on Township owned property.

            Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald asked if the Inflow and Infiltration program should be addressed Joint Sewer Authority wide and not by each individual municipality separately.  Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Engineering agreed with Mr. Baerwald’s suggestion but noted that any proposed I&I program must be agreed upon by all three municipalities.

            There being no other comments or questions to come before the Board, Mr. Gracia made a motion to adjourn.  Mr. McQuirns seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Helmuth J. H. Baerwald
Township Secretary