PORT EWEN WATER & SEWER BOARD MEETING
MARCH 8, 2011

The regular monthly meeting of the Port Ewen Water & Sewer Board was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 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
          Donna McAuley, Liaison from the Esopus Town Board

The meeting was called to order at 7:31 PM by chairman Douglas DeKoskie.

  1. MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14, 2011

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY KEVIN RENTFROW AND SECONDED BY RONALD PHILLIPS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 14, 2011 MEETING.  ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.  MOTION CARRIED.

  1. CITY OF KINGSTON REVIEW I & I REPORT  -  MEETING WITH CITY AND ENGINEERS

 

Superintendent Kiernan notified the Board that there will be a meeting on March 14th or 15th for recommendations and/or suggestions.  Related to this agenda item:  On March 7th there was a sewer line overflow on Millbrook Drive, near the Millbrook stream.  This was mostly storm water runoff.  1.5 million gallons ran through the Connelly pump station on March 7th.

  1. FEMA/SEMO  -  UPDATE

 

Superintendent Kiernan has received a reply via e-mail from Frank Ferro (SEMO).  Their phase is complete and has been approved by our engineers.  We are within the budget; $1.2 million in vouchers has been sent to the State for reimbursement.  Commissioner Larry VanVliet inquired whether a letter has been received extending the completion date.  Superintendent Kiernan is applying to FEMA through SEMO for an extension of the contract beyond May 3, 2011.  He received the paperwork at the end of January and will be submitting documentation.  The target date to finish is June 24, 2011.  Commissioner Ronald Phillips is also concerned about the time extension.

  1. PLANT WORK  -  ALL ON HOLD  -  WEATHER  -  CHECK RECEIVED

 

WORKING ON TIME EXTENSION
BILLS SUBMITTED TO SEMO
BLUE FOLDER RECEIVED  -  PAYMENTS SUBMITTED  -  SEE LETTER TO FRANK FERRO

  1. SUMP PUMP LETTER  -  SPRING 2011  -  DRAFT

 

Superintendent Kiernan advised the Board that a draft letter is included in this month’s agenda; he asked that any changes or suggestions be e-mailed to him.  The commissioners discussed the draft and made several suggestions of inclusions or revisions.  Superintendent Kiernan thanked the Board for their ideas and input.

  1. TURBIDITY VIOLATION FEB 2011

 

Superintendent reported that there was a minor turbidity violation in February.

 

  1. PLANT LIGHTING  -  CENTRAL HUDSON

Superintendent Kiernan reported to the Board that all lights at the water treatment plant will be replaced by energy-efficient fluorescent lighting.  Approximately seventy-five fixtures are included.  Savings of $3,000.00 per year is estimated.  Central Hudson will cover 70% of the amount, with 30% being covered by a company by the name of Alliance.  The cost is $8,970.00.

  1. BUILDING INSPECTOR LETTER AND DEPT ANSWER

 

Superintendent Kiernan explained to the Board that a letter was received from the Building Inspector regarding the sprinkler system at Town Hall.  Mr. Keefe’s statement that the system is inadequate, attributable to the damage at the water treatment plant, is false.  The superintendent’s letter to the fire chief states this.

  1. FOREMAN REPORTS

 

Weekly reports are included in this month’s agenda.

  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. Superintendent Kiernan brought to the Board’s attention the matter of the chlorine dioxide generator at the water treatment plant, which will need to be replaced within the next six months or so.  Option 1:  The cost of a new one is $28,000.00.  Option 2:  Payments could be made for a minimum of five years at $715.00 per month (the equipment would remain the property of International Dioxide/Dupont at all times).  Option 3:  The generator could be leased-to-own for a minimum of three years, with monthly payments of $890.00.  Once the Port Ewen Water/Sewer District makes thirty-six monthly payments, the equipment is passed to the district.  We currently rent a generator for $350.00 per month—and have for nearly ten years.  Superintendent Kiernan is seeking the Board’s opinion in this matter.  He will continue investigating this matter and will report back next month. 
    2. Commissioner Larry VanVliet asked if there has been a response from the City of Kingston regarding the leachate subject.  Superintendent Kiernan replied no.
    3. Commissioner Michael Tronolone inquired about the dewatering pumps.  Superintendent Kiernan answered that they are running well; Pump Five runs five times as much as the others.  The water will lessen when the pond flattens out.
    4. Chairman Douglas DeKoskie asked about water main breaks in the last month.  Superintendent Kiernan replied that there were a few.
    5. Mr. DeKoskie inquired about the repairs that are needed to sidewalk crossings and how to proceed; should our repairs coincide with the State’s repairs from damage done by snow plows?  He suggested that the Town wait until the repairs by the State are addressed. 
    6. Commissioner Larry VanVliet asked if more televising of sewer lines could be done.  Superintendent Kiernan advised the Board that four thousand dollars is remaining from the money allocated for the I & I study—it is possible that Bowne, Bayard and West Main Streets could be televised.  Kevin Rentfrow asked that a homeowner be notified when a connector will be televised.  Superintendent Kiernan agreed.  Mr. DeKoskie suggested that the Morris report be reviewed for other hot spots.  Superintendent Kiernan will address this subject at the upcoming meeting.
  1. ADJOURNMENT

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY RONALD PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY LARRY VANVLIET TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.  MOTION CARRIED.  THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:28 PM.

                                                     Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                     Gloria Meschi, Secretary
                                                     Port Ewen Water/Sewer Board