Clifford Keen

The Board Meeting addressed several key items. Under the Consent Agenda, approvals were granted for authorizing the advertisement for Chemical Services for 2026, advertising for Reconstruction and Renovations of the Mail Room, IT Room, and Office Space for 2026, approving Water Service Agreements for 126 N. Delaware Avenue and 128 N. Delaware Avenue (both to Arthur Grass), authorizing a joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey to continue water resource investigations, granting a 50% abatement for plumbing failure at 116 Presbyterian Avenue, authorizing the ACMUA to serve as a partner site for a Department of Labor grant application for workforce development, and various purchase and replacement awards including water meters, meter resetters, and ADS pipes. On the Roll Call Agenda, the Board authorized changes to Rules, Rates, and Regulations effective January 1, 2026, set the 2026 Connection Fee, approved the 2025 Budget and a 2024 Budget Adjustment, accepted the 2026 assessment for the New Jersey Utility Authorities Joint Insurance Fund, and authorized Change Order #1 related to temporary tank rental. Emergency purchases were approved to correct a discrepancy involving actuators and a transformer. The monthly bills were also approved. During Executive Session, discussions included personnel, litigation, promotions, and salary adjustments. Specific resolutions approved salary adjustments for the Accounts Payable Manager and a 2026 cost of living increase for non-union employees.

The Regular Monthly Meeting addressed several administrative and operational items. Key discussions included finalizing contracts and routine FIPA requests; reviewing updates from engineering staff regarding the Florida Avenue water main project, lead service line replacement planning, underground storage tank removal, and water treatment plant structural repairs. Operational updates covered the water treatment plant clarifier shear pin project and the Doughty Pond Dam sluice gate project. Administrative topics involved welcoming new employees, discussing the landscaping issue at the entranceway, authorizing pursuit of a compensation study and a rate study, approving utility locating and marking services bids, reviewing property abatements, and approving shared service agreements for laboratory testing with Atlantic County Utilities Authority and for planning and grant services with Rutala Associates, LLC. The board also declared intent to reimburse expenditures for the water meter and MTU replacement project via New Jersey Infrastructure Bank financing. Furthermore, approval was sought for a service agreement with IR Foundation, LLC, and a motion was passed to approve the replacement of a water treatment plant clarifier drive unit. Discussions were held in closed session concerning labor and personnel matters, including the plant manager's position and the deputy director of operations position, which resulted in subsequent motions in open session.

The meeting commenced with roll call and confirmation that adequate notice was provided. Key discussions focused on personnel, including the official welcome and introduction of the new Deputy Executive Director. The Board addressed public safety concerns related to building access, opting to maintain restricted access based on recent security incidents, rather than solely COVID-19 concerns, and discussed potentially reallocating a reception position to security. Policy discussions covered dropping mandatory mask requirements for employees and visitors while allowing personal discretion, and updating the return-to-work policy to align with CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 testing requirements. In financial matters, the Board reviewed the July 2022 financial report, noted upcoming lien notices, and approved the bid for miscellaneous electrical repairs totaling $137,500. Additionally, the authority authorized issuing an Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new insurance broker for 2023, pending legal review regarding contract duration.

The Board meeting included discussions and actions on several operational and financial matters. Key topics included the approval of previous meeting minutes, discussions regarding scheduled water shut-offs, and an engineering committee item concerning the cost of paving work related to a logo issue. The Board addressed the need to engineer the replacement of a deteriorated floating cover at the treatment plant, with an estimated engineering cost of $34,400. Decisions were made regarding abatements for several entities. A significant portion of the meeting involved a public discussion with a retiree regarding recognition items (watches or cash in lieu) for employees who retired between 2014 and the current year, which was tabled for the next meeting. The Board addressed delinquent payments from Ta'Ja Real Estate and initiated notification leading to potential water shut-off for non-compliant accounts. Further agenda items covered the setting of 2017 budget public hearing dates, progress on the one million gallon storage tank project, an easement for Atlantic City Electric, the annual fee for continuing disclosure reporting services ($950), the request for qualifications for Authority solicitor and labor counsel, and a major resolution to spend $400,000 to replace five of six granular activated carbon filters due to contamination concerns (PFOA and PFOS) originating from a nearby tech center. Personnel matters, including leaves of absence and an appointment for Assistant Director of Finance and Accounting, were addressed, followed by a closed session covering potential litigation, bankruptcy counsel for a Delaware issue, and city/state problems facing the MUA.

The meeting commenced with the confirmation of adequate public notice compliance. Key discussions involved the approval of both regular and executive session minutes. A significant portion of the meeting focused on taxpayer concerns, specifically addressing an abatement request for a property at 4007 Ventnor Avenue due to perceived excessive water usage, which was ultimately approved for $1,115.88. Another major topic concerned a resident's appeal regarding an exceptionally high water bill of $10,000 for 208 Chalfonte Avenue, which the Authority maintained was accurate based on meter readings, suggesting potential litigation. Furthermore, the Board addressed a request from a nonprofit charitable organization (House of God) for a reduction in the $9,153 charge for separating their water service line, with the Executive Director noting they are already receiving the cheapest rate extended over a 12-month interest-free payment plan. Administrative actions included moving the October board meeting date, approving contract services for security at the distribution yard, soliciting bids for liquid sodium hypochlorite, approving an extension for bridge work on Route 30, and granting a paid leave of absence to Charles Jeffries. The Board also resolved to seek qualifications and proposals for an engineering study on water treatment plant regulation/compliance and a pilot study.