Mohawk Valley Water Authority Minutes
October 25, 2021
Chairman DeLia called the meeting to order at 5:15 PM.
Chairman DeLia presided, and Amy Passacantando took the minutes.
Roll Call
Present: Dennis Bova, Bruce Brodsky, Dave Corr, Vincent Coyne, Elis DeLia, Mark Ford, Richard Karam, Joe Samson and Bette Szesny.
Absent: Rocco Arcuri, Luke Lewis and Frank Mutolo.
Also Present: Patrick Becher, Phil Tangorra, Eric Schuler, Jim Mack and Jim Korfonta.
Approval of the September 27, 2021 Minutes
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the minutes. Seconded by: Mr. Corr
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Resolution: Approval of Water Rates for the Fiscal Year 2022
MVWA’s Executive Director presented the case for a 2.5% rate increase to fund a $27,100,000.00 budget for FY 2022
Motion made by Mr. Bova to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Coyne
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Mr. Corr inquired on the delinquent water accounts that total approximately 3 million dollars. He has asked if we would publish them
in the paper or some other source. Other Board Members were also in agreement with this.
Motion made by Mr. Corr to approve the publishing of delinquent accounts. Seconded by: Ms. Szesny
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Resolution:Approval of the Budget for 2022
Mr. Becher stated that each Board Member has a copy of the letter from the Rate Consultant who has certified that the rate structure that was
just passed is sufficient to support the budget and meets a number of financial tests.
Motion made by Mr. Karam to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Mr. Corr
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Resolution: MVWA Application to the NYSEFC for Grant Funding
The MVWA Capital Improvement Plan includes Construction of 15,000 feet of new 54 - inch diameter RWM in up to four (4) phases from the
Hinckley Reservoir Intake to the Water Treatment Plant. On September 16, 2019 The Board passed almost an identical resolution for phase
2 of the RWM piping.
Motion made by Mr. Ford to approve the resolution. Seconded by: Ms. Szesny
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Approval: 3rd Quarter Investment Statement
Mr. Korfonta stated that as a reminder, Public Authority Laws requires that we provide you with a quarterly statement showing the balances
of all investments with any earning and any expenses associated with the investments.
Rates are not good and we are limited to the types of accounts we can invest in. YTD we are at about $86,000. and we were
hoping to be at about $228,000. in earnings.
Motion made by Mr. Brodsky to approve the 3rd Quarter Investment Statement. Seconded by: Mr. Bova
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Executive Director’s Report
Mr. Becher stated that Jim Mack and the IT Department oversaw the upgrade to the fire alarm system at the water treatment plant, which was
approved by the Board a while back. The project is complete at about $40,000. and was completed by REM out of Rome along with Engler Electric.
Mr. Becher also stated that we would be going into executive session once the Board Meeting concludes.
Finance:
Mr. Korfonta said we had a healthy cash flow this past month and YTD. Doing good as we enter the last months of our year. Billings are somewhat
in line with the budget, we’re just a little below. Consumption is consistent with last year, about 3.4% below, compared to 2019. We are holding
our own and that is the way we budgeted for next year.
Mr. Becher wanted to remind the Board that part of the budget proposal was that a service charge be added to any credit card payments made
effective January 1, 2022, in case they receive inquiries.
Mr. Brodsky reminded the Board that the Audit Committee would be meeting October 26th to consider renewing the existing auditor contract and
if anyone has questions, to let them know prior.
Executive Session: Possible litigation update.
Motion made by Ms. Szesny to go into Executive Session. Seconded by Mr. Corr.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Executive Session was adjourned at 5:50pm. Went back into regular session. Mr. Corr made a motion to secure legal advise from Hancock & Estabrook, LLP. Seconded by Mr. Coyne.
Vote: (9) Ayes (0) Nays (0) Abstain (3) Absent - Motion Carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:51 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Passacantando, Secretary
Mohawk Valley Water Authority