PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP

PLUMSTED MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY

Monthly Update
April 20-29, 2010

To: Mayor and Township Committee

From: Peter Ylvisaker

Subject: PMUA April Update

Date: May 3, 2010

The following is a summary of the PMUA’s April 20^th regular meeting and April 29, 2010 special meeting.

Organization

The PMUA took the following actions:

·      The PMUA accepted the resignation of Frank Kiernan. Mr. Minter’s nomination to serve as Interim Treasurer was accepted.  Mr. McCue commented that it was his desire to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Kiernan as well as to fill the two Alternate vacancies.  

·      Mr. McCue asked Mr. McGuckin to follow up with the Township attorney to correct, as necessary, the terms of PMUA members as noted in previous updates.  

·       The State Department of Community Affairs, Bureau of Authority Regulation approved on April 22, 2010 the 2nd amended PMUA budget for 2009 and 2010.

·       The PMUA established a Committee to review the basis and to establish priorities for which areas of the Town Center are to be sewered. Mr. Bronson and Mr. Weirsky will represent the PMUA as will Mr. Ylvisaker. Mr. Reed and Mr. Sorchik will represent the Township Committee.

·     The PMUA approved the introduction of its 2011 budget (July 1 to June 30, 2011). In summary, the budget for the PMUA is $890,241. Of this, $98,615 is for Operation and $791,626 is for capital projects related to engineering studies that will be needed to advance both the wastewater and water components of the Redevelopment Project. The engineering studies the PMUA is currently reviewing are the following:

   $181,400   Lakewood Road Study- Phase 2

   $49,500 Task 1 Scope of Services- Preliminary Design

Redevelopment Project

Van Cleef Engineering

Van Cleef continues to take monthly water level readings at the Lakewood site. The last reading taken on April 26, 2010, the seasonal water levels rose on average 5.76’ at wells #1 and # 2. These wells are within the area identified as having the greatest recharge potential. This causes some concern as the rise in the seasonal water table may reduce the overall capacity of the site for groundwater recharge. The MUA engineer and hydrologist are preparing an update to their November 2009 Report to address the impact of this and will meet with the PMUA on May 19, 2010.

Site Access Agreement

As previously reported, the PMUA has received signed Access Agreements from two of the three property owners. We are still awaiting the signed Access Agreement from the third property owners whose attorney has advised the Mayor and PMUA his clients are agreeable to providing the requested permission.

NJDEP

We continue to work with the NJDEP and other state agencies on the critical issues related to moving the redevelopment project forward. Mr. Ylvisaker met with NJDEP staff on April 14 (Green Acres) and 23 (Land Use Regulation) and with the NJDCA and other state agencies on April 22. The meeting with Green Acres was to discuss the process and information requirements for diverting the property owned by the Township and purchased with Green Acres funds at the Lakewood Road site. The meeting with Land Use Regulation was to review the proposed locations for the sewer treatment plant and pump station and what, if any, environmental issues would be involved and potentially problematic. With regard to the location for the STP behind the New Egypt Market Place, the site is mostly impacted by wetlands buffers. As part of the engineering work proposed to be done by Van Cleef, how wetlands buffers affect the construction and operation of the STP will be addressed. An alternate site for the STP on Lakewood Road was also looked at. This site appears to be large enough not to be impacted by environmental constraints. The meeting with the NJDCA was focused on the State’s approval for the delineation for the Town Center and Sewer Service Area. Subsequent to the meeting, Mr. Ylvisaker was advised the boundaries for the Town Center and Sewer Service as submitted by Plumsted Township would be approved. A letter is forthcoming.  

Mr. McCue also attended a meeting of the Ocean County Agricultural Board. At this point, virtually all of Plumsted Township is in an Agricultural Development Area. The exception is the area zoned C-4 within the Town Center. The discussion concerning Plumsted was the Board’s need to remove the area that the State will approve for the Town Center and Sewer Service Area. Then the County plan and Township plan would not be inconsistent as to where growth is encouraged. It was stated that no official action could be taken by the County Agricultural Board until the State approves the Township’s Town Center boundary.

Interim Shared Service Agreement

The PMUA is, subject to confirmation at its May 19 meeting as to the viability of the Lakewood properties for groundwater disposal as noted above, to consider approval of Resolutions authorizing Van Cleef to proceed with two engineering studies. The total cost for both engineering studies is not to exceed $230,900.  The funds for this are from the $750,000 Capital Bond Account.

Solid Waste and Recycling

The PMUA authorized the release of a bid for the collection of solid waste and recycling collection. The members of the Committee will meet with representatives of Ocean County Solid Waste to review the draft bid document prior to its release. No date has been set for advertising the bid at this time.

Cc: PMUA

       Main Street New Egypt

       Greg McGuckin

       Steve Foran

       Jim Fearon

       Richard Kachmar

       June d. Madden

       Nancy Hendrickson