PORT EWEN WATER & SEWER BOARD
MARCH 9, 2010

The regular monthly meeting of the Port Ewen Water and Sewer Board was held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 with the following members in attendance:

          Donald Kiernan, Port Ewen Water & Sewer Superintendent
          Peter Koelli, Port Ewen Water & Sewer Foreman
          Douglas DeKoskie, Chairman
          Ronald Phillips
          Kevin Rentfrow
          Michael Tronolone
          Larry VanVliet

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Douglas DeKoskie at 7:28 PM.

  1. MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES OF FEB. 8, 2010

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL TRONOLONE AND SECONDED BY KEVIN RENTFROW TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 8, 2010 MEETING.  ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.  MOTION CARRIED.

  1. BIRCHES – BLOCK HEATER INSTALLATION AND LEGAL

 

Superintendent Kiernan reported to the board that the electrical inspection has been provided, and the invoices for the generator and the pump controls have been received.  The easements to the water main and the right-of-way to the pump station remain.  Commissioner Larry VanVliet notified the board that the block heater was installed today, March 9, 2010.  He asked Superintendent Kiernan to please check on the warranty.  Mr. VanVliet inquired if the lines supplying the electric and gas to the pump station are within the right-of-way.  Superintendent Kiernan replied that they are under ground; they come from the street and run across Birches’ property for access.  Chairman Douglas DeKoskie asked if Birches was out of power during the week of the storm, to which Superintendent Kiernan replied no.  Commissioner Michael Tronolone asked if the Town Board acted on this board’s recommendation last month.  The Town Board said that all of the requirements will have to be acceptable to Superintendent Kiernan.  Larry VanVliet inquired if Birches’ pump station’s generator has an alarm included in its system; Superintendent Kiernan will check on this.

  1. K W W T P  REVENUES

 

Superintendent Kiernan let the board know there is nothing new to report on this agenda item.

  1. WATER BREAKS

 

Superintendent Kiernan reported that there were no water breaks during the past month.

  1. HYDRANT DAMAGES

 

Insurance claims will be submitted for two hydrants damaged by cars as a result of the snow storm on February 24th.

  1. SOUTHWORTH SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

Superintendent Kierman advised the board that this service agreement has only increased 1 to 2%.  Servicing occurs in April and in October (Birches will be included as of April 1, 2010).  The agreement runs from April 1, 2010 to April 1, 2011.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY LARRY VANVLIET AND SECONDED BY RONALD PHILLIPS TO ACCEPT THE SOUTHWORTH SERVICE AGREEMENT.  THE BOARD WAS POLLED:  KEVIN RENTFROW—YES; MICHAEL TRONOLONE—YES; DOUGLAS DEKOSKIE—YES.  MOTION CARRIED.

  1. PUMP REBUILD CANAL ST – 4,300 + 3,300 IMPELLER

 

Superintendent Kiernan notified the board that the rebuilt pump should be back any day.

  1. PLANT POWER OUTAGES 12:30 AM WED. 2/24 TO 9:00 PM FRI. 2/26

 

Superintendent Kiernan reported to the board that backup generation took over during the power outages.  Central Hudson responded as soon as possible.

  1. EMPLOYEE/SUSPENSION

 

On Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Superintendent Kiernan suspended an employee without pay, pending a termination hearing by the Esopus Town Board.  The hearing is scheduled to take place on March 16, 2010 at Town Hall; the Town Board will be the hearing officers.  The town will be represented by an attorney and a stenographer has been hired.  The employee will be represented by the union.  The procedure is according to Section 75 of the Civil Service Law.

  1. TRANSFER SWITCH

 

Foreman Peter Koelli reported to the board that, after the generator came back on, the transfer switch was put back to normal mode by hand; Southworth serviced the transfer switch last week.  When this occurs, the whole plant has to be shut down.  Foreman Koelli said that the transfer switch should be maintained every couple of years.

  1. PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY RONALD PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY LARRY VANVLIET TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT.  ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.  MOTION CARRIED.

  1. MISCELLANEOUS

 

    1. Water Treatment Plant—Superintendent Kiernan will check on the following:
      1. Commissioner Kevin Rentfrow suggested considering an alarm system to detect a flood at the plant;
      2. Commissioner Michael Tronolone reiterated that the plant should never be operating if there is no one there;
      3. Commissioner Larry VanVliet suggested installing a high water level detector in the floor;
      4. Commissioner Kevin Rentfrow asked if any estimates have been received on a new clarifier.  Superintendent Kiernan replied that this is going out to bid.
      5. Chairman Douglas DeKoskie questioned if the need is critical for another employee at this time.  Superintendent Kiernan expressed his opinion that the immediate need is not critical, but would be needed within two months.
      6. Commissioner Michael Tronolone inquired about the dewatering pumps.  Superintendent Kiernan explained that within the next two weeks plans and specs will be sent to Frank Farrell at SEMO.  There are to be five well pumps along the perimeter of the plant to take out ground water (pumping 15-20 gallons per minute) and five wells across River Road to discharge water into the river.  These are three separate contracts going out to bid, with construction beginning in mid April.

 

    1. Inflow & Infiltration Study on Clay Road
      1. Chairman Douglas DeKoskie mentioned that it would be beneficial to televise the lines when it is not raining;
      2. Commissioner Larry VanVliet asked if the remaining $10,000.00 could be used toward the necessary testing.  Superintendent Kiernan replied yes, and he will set this up.  The meters in this area need to be read; this will begin within two weeks.

 

    1. Doris Street Pump Station
      1. Commissioner Larry VanVliet inquired about the chronic congestion of the pump.  Foreman Koelli routinely pulls the catch-all to check this, but the source has not yet been found.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL TRONOLONE AND SECONDED BY DOUGLAS DEKOSKIE TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.  MOTION CARRIED.  THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:15 PM.

                                                     Respectfully submitted,

                                                     Gloria Meschi, Secretary
                                                     Port Ewen Water/Sewer Board