Project Engineer Robert Preston, from Hydraterra Professionals, LLC, kicked off the Lower Frederick Board of Supervisors work session on July 23 with a presentation of the township's annual sewer inflow & infiltration (I&I) program.

            I&I refers to water from sources other than domestic wastewater (e.g. groundwater, surface water) entering the sewer system. Inflow is water that enters the system from within the pipes (e.g. manhole lids, connected foundation drains, etc.). Infiltration is water that percolates and enters the system through cracks, failed gaskets, and other imperfections in the pipes.

           I&I increases flow and reduces the available capacity of the system. Excessive I&I increases the cost of wastewater treatment by increasing the amount of water that must be treated, chemicals needed, energy usage, and wear on pumps.

            The program will utilize operators' historical knowledge to prioritize areas of I&I, formulate a systematic approach to locate and repair sources of I&I and utilize a variety of detection and repair techniques to reduce I&I. The township's sewer ordinance will be reviewed to identify shortcomings and clarify requirements.

            A private lateral inspection ordinance requiring the televising and repair of the lateral is being considered as a condition of property sales. There are approximately six miles of private laterals in Lower Frederick Township.

            Inspections and repairs may be facilitated using closed circuit televising (CCTV) of gravity sewers and manholes. I&I contractors will generate reports identifying deficiencies (e.g. weak joints, cracks, root infiltration, etc.). 

            A detailed, prioritized deficiency/repair list will be maintained, and repairs will be addressed as permitted by the budget. This year $32,000 has been allocated for the program. A contractor, or contractors, will be selected through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's cooperative purchasing program (COSTARS).

            The township's entire sewer system was divided into three zones: north, central, and south. The north zone, installed from 2019-2023 and approximately 24,000 linear feet, is proposed for year one of the program.

            The center zone, installed from 1980-2022 and approximately 22,000 linear feet, is proposed for year two.

            The south zone, installed from 1997- 2020 and approximately 18,000 linear feet, is proposed for year three. Future developments will add to the length of the south zone.

            In other township news, the board officially rejected the Zieglerville Road Base Repair Project bids. Supervisor Terry Sacks recused himself and board Vice Chair Chuck Yeiser was opposed.

            The board authorized advertising the bid for Spring Mount Road sidewalk project. The sidewalk will connect the township building to the firehouse and will utilize $200,000 in MontCo 2040 grant money and $111,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the project.

            Last year, the Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Board voted to preserve the Luyben farm located at 8 Cepp Road and asked the township if it would be willing to contribute up to 15% of the cost of the preservation. The board voted to approve $30,000, which is 12.5% of the easement price.  The board authorized Board Chair Marla Hexter to sign the agreement of sale on behalf of the board of supervisors.

            After a brief discussion, the board agreed that the township's open burning ordinance needed revision/clarification. The board will review Schwenksville Borough's burning ordinance, seek input from Lower Frederick's fire marshal, and resume the discussion at a future meeting.

             The board authorized the township's solicitor to send the single access road ordinance amendment to the Lower Frederick and Montgomery County planning commissions and advertise the ordinance to be adopted at a future board meeting. The amended ordinance will be published in a local newspaper and posted on the township's website.

            Township Manager Jason Wager presented the 2024 fiscal year mid-year budget review. The township's fund balance for all funds including CDs is $5,282,077 and the total net income is $271,271. Total revenue received to date is $2,798,621.

            The township outperformed its revenue budget by $109,282 or 4.1% over budget. Total expenses to date are $2,527,350. The township outperformed its expense budget by $75,891 or 2.9% under budget.

            The budget presentation is available for review on the township's website.