The Special Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Francis “Bud” Denner, at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 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 Sewer Issues.

            Mr. Charlie Fagan, Executive Director of the East Norriton Plymouth Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority reviewed the status of the Authority’s fifteen million dollar Bond Issue for Capital Improvements which should be issued in December 2005.

            Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting, Inc. reviewed the East Norriton Plymouth Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority Corrective Action Plan.  The third quarter report has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection outlining the success the Joint Sewer Authority has had completing the milestones as outlined in the Corrective Action Plan.  East Norriton Township may receive an additional one hundred and fifteen connections but the connections cannot be used in the Germantown Pike Pump Station watershed area. 

            Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting, Inc.  reviewed the West End Sewer Inflow and Infiltration study results to date.  Approximately one hundred and seventy-five laterals have been televised in the three sub drainage areas that are most critical, approximately ninety-nine percent of the televised laterals are failing.  ARRO Consulting, Inc. will continue to televise until complete.

            Mr. Brown advised that a draft Corrective Action Plan with milestones has been submitted to East Norriton Township for review and comments.  The Department of Environmental Protection has advised East Norriton Township that they will permit one gallon of connection for every ten gallons of I & I removed.  ARRO Consulting, Inc. has proposed to the Township staff that a program will need to be undertaken to repair the laterals before the I & I can be taken out of the system.   Once the Corrective Action Plan and the Consent Order Agreement are submitted to the DEP the Township is obligated to meet the milestones outlined in the agreement.

            Mr. Ed Duffy asked if the public will have the ability to review the Corrective Action Plan.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald advised that a draft copy is available for review at the Township building. 

Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald briefly highlighted the milestones outlined in the draft Corrective Action Plan.

Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed proposals on I & I resolution as well as possible legal issues on sewer lateral repairs.  The Township has collected a number of options:  1. Zoom Pipe relining; 2. Pipe buster; and 3. Digging up and replacing the lateral and replacing the pipe with PVC pipe.

            Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting, Inc. advised that the solutions will be determined based on the problems found at each lateral.  The Board of Supervisors still need to determine who will authorize the type of repair and who will pay for the repairs. When the televising is complete, ARRO can put together the engineering costs to repair the laterals.

            Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald commented in advance of making a decision on the funding, a public meeting will be held with the affected residents to discuss the options.  The Board of Supervisors asked Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe to research and prepare information to require lateral televising at the time of a Use and Occupancy inspection.

            Mr. Ed Duffy questioned the lateral repair requirements at the time of the Use and Occupancy inspection and the effects on property owners with the findings of the televising and selling of the property.

            Mr. Rick Williams commented about a letter received from Pennsylvania American Water offering an insurance policy for sewer lateral blockages.  Mr. Duffy noted that he has the insurance policy with Pennsylvania American Water and will forward information to the Township.

            Mr. Matt Brown advised that the next step is for the Township to move forward with the Corrective Action Plan which must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection by the end of the year and continue with the Inflow and Infiltration Survey.   Once the survey is completed and the results are tabulated, the next step will be for the Township to meet with the residents to decide how to fund the repairs.

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

Helmuth J. H. Baerwald
Township Secretary