Mount Laurel Township Municipal Utilities Authority

The board conducted its annual reorganization meeting, which included the swearing-in of a new board member and a commissioner, and the appointment of officers including the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Deputy Secretary. The board approved several annual resolutions concerning meeting schedules, official newspapers, and financial management plans. Additionally, professional appointments for various roles such as auditor, financial advisor, legal counsel, and engineering consultants were finalized. The board discussed construction and maintenance contracts, reviewed the treasurer's report, and acknowledged a clean annual audit report.

The board meeting agenda included operations updates and a presentation of the engineer's status report. The Authority discussed an executive session regarding potential litigation. Several contract resolutions were presented for approval, covering a shared services agreement for lawn maintenance and various chemical supply awards including polymer, sodium fluoride, caustic soda, and Klenphos 100. Additionally, the Authority reviewed resolutions concerning the Cherry Hill Cooperative Pricing System, release of a maintenance bond, a change order for the sanitary sewer rehabilitation project, and acceptance of parking lot improvements. Administrative and financial business included the approval of a reimbursement resolution for capital improvement projects, a review of the treasurer's report, and the processing of various payment requisitions for accounts payable and renewal and replacement items.

The meeting commenced with the Chairwoman calling the session to order. Key actions included the unanimous approval of a resolution honoring Board Member Elwood Knight's distinguished service. The Board also approved several resolutions authorizing the release of Sanitary Sewer and Water Maintenance Bonds for the Hooton Road Tract Project, the Water Performance Bond for the New Jersey Turnpike Service Area 4N Project, and Water and Sewer Performance Bonds for the Grey Park Briggs Warehouse Project. Operations updates noted 12 water main breaks since the prior meeting due to temperature fluctuations. Contractual matters involved approving three change orders related to pump station monitoring and water main replacements, and awarding two contracts: one for Sewer Main Lining-Ramblewood Project and another for Well No. 6 Redevelopment. Administrative actions included authorizing the appointment of the Public Agency Compliance Officer and awarding contracts for Worker's Compensation, Dental, and Life/Disability Insurance Coverages. Financial discussions included the approval of the Treasurer's Report for November 2025, Payment Plan Status Report for December 2025, and various requisitions from the general and renewal/replacement accounts. The Board also held a closed session to discuss litigation matters.

The Regular Meeting covered several operational and financial matters. Key discussions included an operations update noting an ASR well motor failure and subsequent DEP approval to recover lost water volume, and explanations for recent sewer line breaks in Birchfield due to poor pipe condition. The Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the release of Water and Sewer Performance Bonds for improvements at The Gables. In engineering matters, Change Order No. 1, increasing the cost by $14,000.00, was approved for the Leadenhall Road and Kettlebrook Drive Water Main Replacement Project. Financial approvals included salary increases for Non-Union Personnel for Fiscal Year 2026, the Treasurer's Report of October 2025 and Payment Plan Status Report for November 2025, and the approval of Accounts Payable Vouchers totaling $1,359,132.35. Additionally, requisitions totaling $1,464,244.96 from the Renewal and Replacement list were approved. A portion of the meeting was conducted in closed session to discuss Litigation and Potential Litigation.

The Special Meeting covered several administrative and financial actions. The Board unanimously approved Resolution No. 2025-12-133, granting authority to the Chief Administrative Officer, Jonathan Sears, to execute applications with the Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Financially, the Board approved Requisition #674 for Accounts Payable Vouchers totaling $740,380.30, and unanimously approved Requisitions #6630 through #6663 from the Renewal and Replacement list, amounting to $798,463.86. The meeting concluded with holiday wishes, and a note was made that special recognition for Mr. Knight is planned for the January meeting.