Authority approves Hilltop Road payment, allocates two EDUs and denies $3,000 remediation fee waiver

The Lower Pottsgrove Township Authority on Oct. 14 approved a payment request for completed work on the Hilltop Road sewer-main replacement and took several formal actions, including allocating two EDUs and denying a fee‑waiver request for a local nonprofit.Ebert Engineering reviewed Joao & Bradley Construction Co., Inc.’s Payment Request #1 for $233,685 for work through Sept. 27 on the Hilltop Road sanitary sewer main and manholes; the Authority later approved payment of the presented invoices, which included that amount. Manager Edward C. Wagner said the paving estimate from Sacks & Sons is $106,069.50 and is within the project budget.The board approved motions to allocate one EDU to 1409 N. Charlotte Street (motion by Sean Pence; second by Mark Loshnowsky; vote 5-0) and one EDU to 2121 Sanatoga Station Road (motion by Joe McGeehan; second by Joseph Groff; vote 5-0).The Authority considered a written request from the Lower Pottsgrove Sportsman's Association to waive a $3,000 remediation fee that covers infiltration and inflow (I&I) work. Member Joe McGeehan, who for the record said he was speaking as a member of the Sportsman's Association, asked the board to waive the fee because the association is a longstanding local nonprofit. Solicitor Stephen Kalis opposed the waiver, saying the Authority has not waived the fee in the past and that doing so could create precedent and conflict with DEP I&I obligations. Member Sean Pence also raised budget concerns and noted a potential conflict of interest because McGeehan is both an association officer and an Authority member. The board voted to deny the waiver (motion by Sean Pence; second by Joseph Groff); the motion passed 4-0 with McGeehan abstaining.The Treasurer’s report showed a Sewer Revenue Account balance of $3,953,470.28 and a Capital Improvement Reserve of $1,487,222.87; the board approved the treasurer’s report and authorized payment of the presented bills (motions approved unanimously).Sewer Operator Tim Watson reported no issues with variable-frequency drives in September, said he reset five disconnected manhole castings with Public Works’ assistance, and will provide photos for Ebert to send to DEP. Watson also said West Generators inspected the Porter Road pump station generator and will return to complete disassembly; a repair estimate is expected in about a week and will be covered by insurance.At the meeting’s close, the board adjourned at 6:58 p.m. and scheduled its next regular meeting for Nov. 12, 2024 at the Township Building.