Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach and Luis Perez Jimenez Director of Operations at the at the USAPA (Utility Service Associates Perth Amboy) Middlesex Water Company
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Luis Perez Jimenez Director of Operations USAPA gave an overview of what needs to be done in the water/wastewater systems.

Jimenez’ main concern was the replacement of the 4-inch water main pipes with 6-inch pipes. “This has to be done because of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations. There have been small leaks at the Florida Grove Road Reservoir that have been repaired before, but leaks are still occurring inside the reservoir walls. We have been talking to engineers about how to permanently fix this problem. The Runyon wall pipes need to be inspected, repairs made and cleaning. The sewer collection system (catch basins) need to be replaced per EPA requirements,” Jimenez stated.

B.A. Greg Fehrenbach reminded the Council that there was 2013 Bond Ordinance that this item appeared on.”

Jimenez continued, “There’s been a reduction in the capacity of the mainline. That’s why we have to clean the receptors. Another EPA regulation.”

“With the Second Street Pump Station mitigation, we will be looking into elevating the motors and electrical equipment. We estimate that the cost of this will be around $2.055 million.”

B.A. Fehrenbach said, “This is where Mr. Jimenez and I have a slight disagreement.”

Frank Dann Dir. Public Works

Fehrenbach estimated the cost to be around $1.6 million. Fehrenbach factored into FEMA funds that the City has requested but has not yet received. “The FEMA mitigation funds will come into about $555,000 but it could be lower. We are eligible for the maximum of $620,000. CDM Smith was awarded the contract.”

Fehrenbach said, “The generator at the Second Street Pump Station would not be elevated but would be protected by a movable wall that can be used when necessary.”

Perez Jiminez verified what Fehrenbach said in regards to the generator.

It was stated that the reason that these changes had to take place at the Second Street Pump Station is to prevent another occurrence of damage that happened when Superstorm Sandy hit.

Department of Public Works Director Frank Dann was the next speaker to talk about what additional funds will be needed in his department and the reasons why.

Before going into that topic Dann wanted to give an update on the snow removal procedures on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.

Dann started out by saying, “Our roads will have snow on them for a few days. This is due to the fact of very cold temperatures, high winds and drifting snow. Salt will not work if the temperature is 20 degrees or below. Some plows have rubber blades and some plows have steel blades, which sometimes break when hitting manhole covers. On emergency roads the police will go up and down the streets first with light and horns to let people know that they have to remove their cars off the streets. Any cars that remain after the first warning will be towed.”

Dann then went into what is needed at the Public Works Department as a whole. “$500,000 is needed for road reconstruction, resurfacing, repairing (which can include replacing the curbs). We can do six to eight roads a year with this money. The engineers can give an exact cost. We need 3 tractor trailer trucks to transport materials that will end up in the landfill. One of those tractor-trailer trucks is a 1996 model. We have two tractor- trailers that run steady every day. This is a requirement by DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) that says we must move materials every day. We have one full time and three part time drivers who drive these trucks. We have a 8 to 10 year old truck that can be used as a backup, but it has a front load problem. We also need another automated garbage truck with containers. It will be six months before we get the two trucks already on order.”

Dann also said, “If these trucks are approved by the Council, it will be one year to 16 months before delivery can be made on them. This is because trucks have to be built to our specifications and we will be looking at bids.”

B.A. Greg Fehrenbach said, “We will need to have money for these trucks to be approved.”

Dann continued, “In the meantime, we will go to other towns to see if there have been upgrades to trucks they have in operation.”

“Front-loader garbage trucks are very quick and they are good for small areas. We pick up and do disposals for the school system. The school system says that they will perform this task. Currently we pick up trash everyday from the schools during the school year.”

B.A. Greg Fehrenbach stated, “It’s a quarter million dollar expense to pick up garbage from the schools. We hope that the schools can supplement or support part of the cost for the school garbage pickup. We approached them about doing this in 2014. Some municipalities have scavenger pickups.”

Dann talked about a 1990 Mason dump truck with a spreader that needs to be replaced. “Six spreaders went out during the storm. One is now down. Salt has corroded some of the motors and other parts of the equipment. All of our drivers do pre-trip forms to check for the safety of the equipment they will be taking out. There is a list of 30 items to be inspected on the vehicles – including brakes. We do not send out any unsafe trucks. There is a 1995 pickup truck that is not in good shape. These trucks are needed to go into cul-de-sac’s and dead end streets.”

“Work needs to be done in the City Hall building. The windows need to have sealants or replacement windows. These would be wooden windows taking into consideration the historic aspect of the building. The outside of the windows would have an aluminum protective. Dan Cleaver is very protective of the historic value of the building.”

Dann continued, “We need $18,000 for storage bins. The bins that we have now contain topsoil, crushed concrete and asphalt. We are concerned about cross-contamination. The $18,000 will be used for concrete blocks for three bins (to separate the materials). The gazebos at the Waterfront need to be replaced. We can put a temporary wall around them in the event of another Superstorm Sandy. We’re looking at $20,000 for each one. The gazebos have a lot of vandalism and the ones that we need can be built with materials that can be easily cleaned. At the Public Works Department we need to get updated software for the front security gate. This would include getting special keys. The software that is in place now is 20 years old. We have shared services with the school system.”

B.A. Greg Fehrenbach wrapped up the discussion of the Capital Improvement Program and the Capital Budget 2014 with the following: “$440,000 is needed for the 911 system for the Police Department.”

He then told the Council the steps they need to take when adopting a temporary Capital Budget starting in January which would be for 3 to 4 months. An introduction of bond ordinances is needed. There would have to be an application to the local Finance Board to adopt a bond for this in the budget.

“On the agenda for February 12, 2014 there will be an item for the approval of the Capital Budget, a Temporary Budget of $300,000 for Capital Improvements and $300,000 Appropriation. There will also be an intro of 2 bond ordinances in the Capital Budget plus Water/Wastewater. This will enable the City’s debt reduction to go down from $203/$207 million to $197/$198 million of debt.”