Eric Scelza

The meeting commenced with reorganization proceedings, including the appointment of a Temporary Chair, election of officers for 2026 (appointing a new Treasurer), and the appointment of various committees such as Audit, Planning, and Executive Committees. Numerous professional services were reappointed or appointed, including Solicitor, Environmental Solicitor, Bond and Tax Counsel, Bankruptcy Attorney, and engineers for water and wastewater services, with specific hourly rates noted for each role. The Board adopted Resolution 2026-01 establishing the Fee and Rate Schedule for 2026. Key operational updates involved the status of the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade being out to bid, the completion of 2025 underground waterline replacements, and the decision to disengage from pursuing the USACE grant due to an impasse regarding the Certificate of Authority. Grant application updates detailed the award of a 2024 Statewide LSA grant for tank repairs and leak detection funding. The Manager's report included authorizing an offer of employment for an Engineering Associate and noting a request from Stroud Township Sewer Authority to take over its billing. The Solicitor's report involved tabling a resolution regarding an Intermunicipal Cooperation Agreement. During Executive Session, the Board discussed a collection dispute and litigation strategy.

The Board Meeting covered several critical financial and engineering matters. Key discussions focused on planning for the upcoming Series 2025 Borrowing, involving $30M to $35M over three tranches, with a preference for a 15-year bank loan (Option 2) over PENNVEST financing due to administrative complexity associated with USACE grant discussions. The financial team detailed the necessary rate increases required to cover debt service coverage for the initial $10M borrow. Engineering reports updated the Board on the status of the Pocono Auxiliary Tank construction, Phase 1 waterline replacements, and challenges regarding the USACE Grant Core System Improvements, specifically potential environmental clearance requirements along the corridor. Furthermore, the Board approved service applications for new customers and awarded contracts for the Water Treatment Plant Intake Improvement Project and the Waterline Replacement Paving Project. Manager's reports addressed the acceptance of delinquent accounts, approval of an electric contract, and ratification of the submission for the Fetterman Congressional Directed Spending Grant for the Stroud Mall Tank Painting Project.

The Board meeting addressed the ratification of a change in the meeting time for March 19, 2025. Key discussions included the Wastewater Engineer's report, noting the treatment plant's good performance and progress on the Chapter 94 report and sludge thickening options. The Engineering/Operations Manager report covered asset management, including soil condition analysis and corrosion mitigation strategies for distribution system components, planned waterline replacements, and progress on the Core System and Pocono Line Improvements, which involved finalizing the Integral Determination Report with USACE. Approval was granted for Pay Request No. 13 to DN Tanks for the Pocono Auxiliary Tank project. Significant attention was given to unaccounted water, with a second satellite scan scheduled. Procurement actions involved approving contracts for WTP Sludge Removal, Well 3 Filtration Facility Sludge Removal, and various WTP Chemicals and Road Patching Materials. Financially, the status of the 2025 Amended Water Budget was discussed, noting an anticipated $35M expenditure over the 10-year capital plan, and a Letter of Support was approved for a Small Water and Sewer Grant application concerning SR 715 and Sullivan Trail improvements.

The meeting initiated with a reorganization segment, including the appointment of a Temporary Chair and the election/re-appointment of the slate of officers for 2025. Committees (Audit and Planning, Planning, Collections) were re-appointed. Various professional services were re-appointed or appointed, including Solicitor, Alternative Solicitor, Environmental Solicitor, Bond Counsel, Bankruptcy Attorney, and engineering consultants for water and wastewater. Key discussions also involved establishing the 2024 Fee and Rate Schedule, which included accepting the Tapping Fee Study recommendations from RKR Hess, establishing the EDU rate at 182.0 gallons per day, approving a 4.5% overall rate increase partitioned into basic and consumption rate increases, and adopting Resolution 2025-01 establishing the 2025 Fee and Rate Schedule, including a standby fee for private fire hydrants. The Water Engineer's Report covered updates on the Pocono Auxiliary Tank remedial workplan, Asset Management phases (including waterline replacement and valve assessment), progress with the USACE on the Section 219 Pocono Project, status of Statewide Local Sharing Agreement grant applications, completion of the GIS inventory and Lead Service Line Unknown Letters, and approval of a Water Service Application (No. 1701) for Smithfield Music, LLC. The Engineer also reported on coordination with PennDOT for SR715 Realignment and I-80 projects, rejection of a non-compliant procurement bid, and awarding the Bioxide contract. The Manager's report addressed finance status and pending feedback on the DRBC Docket Renewal Application. The session concluded with payment of bills and an Executive Session to discuss contractual matters concerning Pocono Om Sai Ram and a legal update on the Conygham Twp legal case.

The meeting agenda included the acceptance of the previous board meeting minutes. Key discussions in the Wastewater Engineer's Report covered the well performance of the WWTP, planned Whole Effluent Toxicity testing, and the awarding of design engineering services for an upgrade to thickening and dewatering systems. The Board unanimously accepted the Mid-Year Waste Water Treatment Plant Budget Report for 2025 and forwarded it to Collection System Owners. In the Engineering/Operations Manager Report, discussions involved a recent valve failure due to corrosion, ongoing waterline replacements, approval of a change order and pay request for the Pocono Auxiliary Tank, investigation into tank repair methods concerning PFAS chemicals, and efforts to reduce unaccounted water percentage to approximately 20%. The Board awarded Pavement Patching Services to Fasano Enterprises Inc. The Solicitor reported on the filing of an Amicus Brief in a case concerning PUC jurisdiction. The Board entered an Executive Session to discuss potential sewage discharge violations, contractual matters regarding the Auditor, and potential water service extensions, after which they authorized the Manager to execute file transfers to the new audit firm and decided on standard conditions for future developer water line extensions.