BLAIRSVILLE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY - REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 26, 2025 1. The meeting was called to order by Secretary John Bertolino at 5:32 P.M. 2. Pledge to the Flag 3. Moment of Silence 4. Roll Call - The Authority Members present included Mr. Michael Ritts, Mr. John Bertolino, and Mr. Daniel Vresilovic. Mr. Thomas Lawton and Mrs. Patty Evanko were not present. Others in attendance included Mr. Michael Witherel, Solicitor, Mr. Randy Krause, Bankson Engineers, Mr. Kevin Wilmot, Remington & Vernick Engineers, Mr. John Emerson, Gibson Thomas Engineers, Mr. Thomas Barberich, Sewage Plant Operator, and Mrs. Jody Poorbaugh, Manager. 5. Additions to the Agenda - None 6. Public Comments: a. Mrs. Brenda Shutter, Evans Avenue, stated her opinion about the fluoride in the Water System. It has negative effects. It is detrimental to kids' IQ. The area has the highest rate of1 thyroid disease. Only one in Indiana County adds Fluoride. It is used for dental care which you now can get in toothpaste. b. Mrs. Adele Christopher, South Spring Street, stated her opinion about fluoride in the water system - It causes Hypothyroid issues, raises T3 & T4 levels. Fluoride can affect the brain, liver, and kidneys. If you want fluoride, you can get it on your own. C. Joyce Judge, South Spring Street, stated her opinion about fluoride in the water system. Authorities are not bound by referendums. Would like to know the positive effects of fluoride. She asked to be reimbursed for laundry turning brown because of the leak on East Brown Street. How long will the Drought Surcharge be in place? The surcharge will be removed in April. d. Putting Fluoride in the system is in the DEP Permit requirements. To remove it would be al Board Decision. e. Mr. Bertolino stated that the referendum has been overturned. Hei investigated the health risks and benefits of fluoride and could email the information to concerned residents. - 1 Blairsville Municipal Authority Regular Meeting Minutes February 26, 2025 7. Executive Session - None 8. Engineer's Report: a. Gibson Thomas Engineering: a. MPS Wet' Well Project Bid Proposal - Will have drawings for review at the March Meeting. He believes they could start construction in June 2025. They would bid in April. Would use the Month of March to finalize bid specifications. Three weeks for the project; 7 days or more to get totally dry before putting it in use. b. Bankson Engineers: a. DEP Consent Order - Water Plant - Still ongoing. b. DEP Letter Technical Deficiencies - Responded and sent to DEP on February 13, 2025. Should test the clarifier media. Need to replace the media in the clarifiers. The media will cost approximately $35,000 per clarifier. There are 2 clarifiers. C. Civil Rights Coordinator - Appropriations Grant: i. Response to EPA - No to Civil Rights Coordinator. No to Demographic Information. ii. A motion was made by Mr. Ritts and seconded by Mr. Vresilovic to enter into a 6-month extension with EPA to get a civil rights coordinator in place. Approved 3/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Ritts Mr. Vresilovic Mr. Bertolino C. EPA Lead & Copper Rule - Project Ongoing d. SOP - Revised Submission to DEP - Submitted last year and there has been no response from DEP. 2 Blairsville Municipal Authority Regular Meeting Minutes February 26, 2025 9. Engineer's Report (continued): a. Bankson Engineers: a. Section 313 Environmental Infrastructure Program Awarded- - Reimbursement Program i. Total Project $1,575,000 - Gov. Share - $1,200,000 - Local Sponsor Share - $375,000.00 Reimbursement to Sponsor - $1,125,000.00 1. Share Cash Match 2. Mr. Krause will get the scope of the project to Scott Construction to start in 2026. 3. Documents will be sent to Mr. Witherel for review. 4. Mr. Ritts thanked Mr. Krause for submitting the letter. b. Grant Appropriations Request Grant - Water Plant Rehab - Grant received March 2024 and cost share waiver - Approved 7/31/24. C. Grant = Small Water/Sewer - $500,000.00 for replacing valves, water lines, and water meters. Mr. Krause and the Manager will discuss what project to submit for the grant. b. Remington & Vernick Engineers: a. Storm Water - None b. BLD Change Order Change Order #2 Contract #2 Agreement: i. Ar motion was made by Mr. Ritts and seconded by Mr. Vresilovic to accept Change Order #2, Change Order reduction amount of $43,536.80. Approved 3/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Ritts Mr. Vresilovic Mr. Bertolino C. BLD - Final Payment - Certificate #4 i. A motion was made by Mr. Ritts and seconded by Mr. Vresilovic to Pay Invoice Payment Request #4 as final payment for Contract #2 to BLD in the amount $4,547.26. Approved 3/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Ritts Mr. Vresilovic Mr. Bertolino C 3 Blairsville Municipal Authority Regular Meeting Minutes February 28, 2025 10. Engineer's Report (continued): a. Remington & Vernick Engineers: a. Channel Monster - Project has been completed. b. 85% Capture Rate for CSO's None C. NPDES Permit/LTCP - None d. Chapter 94 = Remington & Vernick sent a request to Burrell Township Sewer Authority for their Chapter 94 Report of 2023. The engineers incorporated the information and created the 2023 Chapter 94 Report to be sent to PADEP as required. The report is intended to project overloads to the system or treatment plant over the next five-year period. e. BTSA Tap-in Fees - None f. LSA Grant - East Campbell Street Drainage Project - Pending g. Grant Local Share Account Grant - Martha/McClure Sanitary Sewer Replacement - Grant received, and surveyors have started on Martha Street. h. Grant - Local Share Account Grant - South Liberty Street - The Board is requesting that some or all the remaining grant funds be used for the Sanitary Sewer flow meters in the amount of $18,474.00 and to purchase a replacement pump for Lift Station #1 that pumps flow from the S. Liberty Street area. The estimated amount to purchase pump is $23,657.00. 11. Solicitor's Report: a. Meeting with Army Corp of Engineers for Section 313 program. b. Revise public comment policy and send it to Mr. Witherel for review. 12. Manager's Report: a. Working on Documents for the grants that are in process. b. Working on filing year end reports. C. Continue to look for another administrative assistant. d. Replaced a cylinder on the packer for the garbage truck. e. Fixed two service line breaks on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and Wednesday, February 26, 2025. f. The VAC truck is down, once it is repaired there will be a couple of fire hydrants that need to be repaired and put back in service. 4 Blairsville Municipal Authority Regular Meeting Minutes February 26, 2025 13. Unfinished Business: a. LaMantia Lane Main Sewer Line - None b. Waste Management Landfill Closure - Look into other options. C. Drought Surcharge - Will be removed as of April 1, 2025. d. Fluoride Discussion - Mr. Bertolino reviewed the fluoride guidelines. Used Co-Pilot for pros and cons on added fluoride. e. Information will be added to the website. f. Fluoride was introduced to the system in 1991 or 1992. 14. New Business - None 15. Approval of Minutes: a. A motion was made by Mr. Ritts and seconded by Mr. Vresilovic to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 22, 2025. Approved 3/0. Mr. Vresilovic was not present for the meeting but felt he had enough information to approve the minutes. 16. Financial Report/Accounts Payables: a. The financial report was given to the Board for review. b. Accounts Payables - Was presented in the amount of $328,935.67. C. A motion was made by Mr. Ritts and seconded by Mr. Vresilovic to approve the financial report and to pay the bills totaling $328,935.67. Approved 3/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Ritts Mr. Vresilovic Mr. Bertolino - 5 Blairsville Municipal Authority Regular Meeting Minutes February 26, 2025 17. Executive Session - The Board went into an executive session at 6:43 P.M. and came out at 7:09 P.M. Legal & Personnel issues were discussed. 18.Adjournment - A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 P.M. / Secretary 6