Jeff Shaffer, Ben Flower, Jessica Sizemore, Lee Hoffman, and Terry Jerin (Not present – Ruby Miller)
Municipal Authority Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
April 28th, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. (In-Person) Borough Council Room
1. Meeting Called to Order – Ben Flower at 6:30.
2. Roll Call
a. Authority Board Members present: Ben Flower, Ruby Miller (via telephone), Jeff Shaffer, and Terry Jerin (via telephone).
b. Authority Board Member absent: Lee Hoffman.
c. Also present: Municipal Authority Manager, Jessica Sizemore; Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Administrative Assistant, Roger Bailey; Solicitors, William Barbin & Jim Cascio, and Consulting Engineers, Jake Bolby & Tom Reilly.
d. Public Attendance:
Donald Cochran
3. Approval of Agenda
A. Approval of Agenda – Review and approval of the Agenda for April 28th, 2025 Meeting.
a. Motion to approve agenda as presented, with the exception that the May meeting will be held on May 19th at 6:30.
Mr. Shaffer moved, Mr. Flower seconded.
Motion Unanimously Carried
B. Executive Session: Potential litigation.
a. Motion to go into Executive Session.
Mr. Flower moved, Mr. Shaffer seconded at 6:33 p.m.
Motion Unanimously Carried
b. Back in Session:
6:52 p.m.
4. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
A. Approval of Meeting Minutes – Review and approval of the Meeting Minutes from the March 24th, 2024 Municipal Authority Meeting.
a. Motion to approve the Municipal Authority Board Meeting Minutes from March 24th, 2025 Municipal Authority Meeting.
Mr. Shaffer moved, Mr. Flower seconded.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5. Opening of Bids
A. None
6. General Public Comments
A. None Registered
7. Payment of Bills/Requisitions
A. None
8. Policy Agenda
A.Old Business
a. None
B. New Business
a. STMA & MABS Intermunicipal Agreement
i.Motion authorizing arbitration with STMA.
Mr. Flower moved, Mrs. Miller seconded.
Motion Unanimously Carried
b. Fluoride in the Water System
i.Motion to authorize staff to move forward with starting the process of removing the permit requirement of adding fluoride to the water system.
Mr. Flower moved, Mr. Shaffer seconded.
Motion Unanimously Carried
c. PENNVEST Funding Offer – Sewer Systems Improvement Phase 1A
i.Motion to authorize approval of the funding offer, Project Number 562211152401-CA provided by PENNVEST in the amount of $597,065 Loan at
1% interest rate and $802,935 grant funded/non-repayment for a total of $1,400,000. This is for the engineering of the project.
Mr. Flower moved, Mr. Shaffer seconded.
Motion Unanimously Carried
ii.Motion to authorize approval of the funding offer, Project Number 562211152401-CS provided by PENNVEST in the amount of $7,278,014 Loan at 1% interest rate and $9,921,986 grant funded/non-repayment for a total of $17,300,000. This is for the construction and permitting of the project.
Mr. Flower moved, Mr. Shaffer seconded.
Motion Unanimously Carried
d. Feed Mill Waterline Project
i.Motion to approve the permitting and bidding of the Feed Mill Waterline Project. It is understood that this project was added into the 2025 budget.
Mr. Flower moved, Mr. Shaffer seconded.
Motion Unanimously Carried
e. PA Small Water and Sewer Program
i.Acknowledgement of Borough Resolution 2025-03 which is the application to the PA Small Water and Sewer Program in the amount of $425,000 grant and matching funds of $75,000. It is noted that this is for the same project as the Flood Mitigation Program grant application.
This is for the flood mitigation of Coxes Creek for bank stabilization, soil erosion and
maintenance items required by DEP and the Army Corp of Engineers.
f. Flood Mitigation Program (FMP)
i. Acknowledgement of Borough Resolution 2025-04 which is the application to the Flood Mitigation Program in the amount of $425,000 grant and matching funds of $75,000. It is noted that this is for the same project as the PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant application.
This is also for the flood mitigation of Coxes Creek for bank stabilization, soil erosion
and maintenance items required by DEP and the Army Corp of Engineers.
9. Reports
a. Manager’s Report – Update on Operations.
There is a “Frequently Asked Questions” section on the Somerset Borough Website
where residents and customers can go for information concerning the Stormwater
Program.
A Public Hearing will be held at the Public Safety Building on Wednesday April 30th, 2025
where residents can learn about the upcoming Sewer Project and where Easement
Agreements can be notarized on-site.
b. Engineer’s Report – Update on the Status of Projects for Water, Sewer and Stormwater.
Mr. Bolby presented the Updates to the Engineer’s Report.
WATER:
1) Water System Capital Improvement Projects:
This project will be coming to a close in July 2025. There is still some work to be
addressed during the warranty period this summer that will be resolved by the
contractor.
SEWER:
1) Assessment, Repair, and Abatement Plan (Hydraulic Overload):
The engineering continues to progress for Phase 1-A, 1-B, 1-C & 1-D of the Sewer
Project.
GENERAL:
1) Center Ave. Sidewalk Project:
There are some concerns with the sidewalks on Center Avenue. The contractor is addressing the issues to resolve the problem.
c. Facility Reports for March 2025 – Provided on the portal for informational purposes.
d. March 2025 Financial Report & Monthly Transactions – Provided on the portal for informational purposes.
10. Adjournment
A. Adjournment
a. Motion to adjourn.
Mr. Shaffer moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Flower.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7:05 p.m.
B. Next Meeting:
a. May 19th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
_________________________________________
Jessica Sizemore, Municipal Authority Manager