The minutes of the March meeting were approved.
The payroll and invoices were approved as presented.
The bids received last month for the sewer plant upgrade all exceeded the Engineers opinion of costs, so the Authority Board requested that Uni-Tec work to identify potential reductions in bid costs. Uni-Tec reviewed preliminary cost-cutting ideas from the Authority, the low bidders and other bidders, manufacturers and their representatives. G R Noto, the low bidder on the electrical contract, responded with a partial listing of reductions. Lobar, the low bidder on the general contract, is planning an extensive look at the items identified. It is hoped that the reductions could be in the neighborhood of $2.5 million.
Mr. Lingenfelter said that several items could provide substantial cost reductions.
The engineer met with PennVest and DEP to see what can and cannot be cut out, and what the potential savings would be.
Mr. Hilfiger said, "It is encouraging that the contractors are working with us" in the search for reductions. Mr. Lingenfelter said, "It makes sense for them to whittle things down rather than to hunt for another job." He said, "We hope to know by April 27 if enough cuts have been made." Mr. Hilfiger pointed out that the cuts do not involve the treatment process, but demolition, excavation, out buildings, etc.
The Authority sold 486,000 gallons of bulk water to gas drillers in March, valued at $8,000. Very little has been sold in April, with 150,000 gallons for other bulk haulers, valued at $2,400. So far this year, 10.3 million gallons have been sold, valued at $165,000.
The RBC Unit #1 which has been cabled together, is shut down because of loose bolts. RBC #4 was down for loose media and is back on line. A new bearing was installed last month.
Many water lines were frozen during the winter. They have been thawed out, with Mr. Hilfiger saying the last frozen line was thawed on April 11.
So far the Authority has spent $1,045,557 on the sewer plant upgrade project. $728,500 has been borrowed from the water business to fund the sewer design to date. $158,073 has been borrowed from Sewer Equipment Replacement funds, and $158,983 from general sewer funds.
The Authority received $600 in April as restitution in the Brenda Morr Case. This makes a total of $75,592,46 returned, leaving a balance of $253,451,44 as per the civil suit agreement.
The authority collected $2,073 in storm water surcharges for Canton Borough in March.
Canton Borough intends to resurface Sullivan Street this year. The Authority board agreed to participate in the expense of the work, because the water trucks are contributing to the wear and tear on the road. It is estimated that it will cost about $14,000 to upgrade the pavement from Route 14 to the Sullivan Street bridge to handle the truck traffic.
Some issues were raised with the grinder pumps, which require extensive maintenance.
The board also discussed the possibility of acquiring another RBC unit to be held in reserve and used only if a catastrophic breakdown occurs in another unit. So far a couple of the RBC have been off line for repairs.
There also was discussion of the septage receiving station at the Sewer Treatment Plant. Although the effluent water quality at the sewage treatment plant continues to exceed standards, because the RBCs have been out of service at times, the amount of septage taken at the plant has been reduced.