HEGINS — The Hegins-Hubley Authority voted 6-0 Monday to keep its current leadership structure intact. Authority Manager Demetrius Kasmari also reported there were three leaks in the system two weeks ago, which have since been repaired.
During the board’s reorganization, Clark Romberger received the nod as chairman, Kenneth Richter as vice-chairman and Debra Martz as secretary/treasurer. Other members include Keith Masser, Thomas Miller, Donald Stutzman and Kris Wetzel. Meanwhile, Fred “Fritz” Bowman and Robert “Whitey” Klinger serve as emeritus members.
Richter was absent.
Appointments for 2016 also include: Paul Datte, solicitor; Reinhart & Co., auditor; Alfred Bensch & Co., engineer, on an as needed basis; Stacy Andracchio, open records officer; Gratz Bank and PLIGIT as depositories of authority funds; Richter, Masser and Miller to the planning committee; and Wetzel and Martz to the human relations committee. Wetzel also agreed to join Miller, serving on the newly formed information/technology (IT) committee.
In other business, Kasmari said there were two leaks in service lines from the curb to residences, and it was the homeowners’ responsibility to repair them. Kasmari said those necessary repairs were made. The other leak was due to a crack in a 6-inch main on East Maple Street, behind Tri-Valley High School.
“I knew we had something serious going on,” Kasmari said, noting there was an estimated 180,000 gallons leaking overnight. The leak in the main on East Maple was repaired. Six residences had a boil water advisory, he said, which has since been lifted.
Kasmari said a Power Hub battery back-up was also recently installed at the authority’s chemical building to assist in the event of a power outage.
During this past weekend’s winter storm, Kasmari said he made sure that all chemicals and tanks were filled in case of an emergency. Romberger commended Kasmari for his preparedness on behalf of the authority.
In Andraccio’s business manager’s report, she said net operating revenue for the six-month period from June 2015 to December 2015 was $282,296; while net operating expenses for that same time frame was $98,262. As of December 31, 2015, there was an ending fund balance of $127,825 for the year.
Andraccio said the average monthly bill for a Hegins Township customer was $27.21; and for a Hubley Township customer, $44.45. She said there have been 826 new radio read meters installed, with about 63 percent of the system now monitored with new meters.
In other action, the board entered into a 10-minute executive session. Datte said there were two matters discussed; one was about personnel and a particular position; the other was a “potential transaction in real estate for the authority”. No other details were released in regard to that transaction.
Five people attended the meeting but did not publicly address the board: Hegins Township supervisors Sandra McCullough and Bruce Klouser; Roger Wetzel; Ryan Andraccio; and Chase Keloh, of Larson Design Group.
Upon a motion by Masser, and seconded by Martz, the authority unanimously voted to hold its quarterly meetings at 5 p.m., instead of 6 p.m. The authority’s next meetings will be April 25, July 25 and Oct. 24 at the authority office, 915 W. Maple St., Valley View.