The meeting opened with a presentation of the audit for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2024. The audit yielded an unmodified opinion. The financial report noted an increase in total assets and deferred outflows by 2.63% and an operating income of $2 million. Revenue growth was approximately 8%, while operating expenses rose by nearly 12%, largely due to a $600,000 appropriation to the Township of Franklin. A minor issue was identified concerning the execution of purchase orders, attributed to system challenges, with corrective actions already implemented through a new system, Edmonds.

Public accessibility was a central theme during the meeting, with concerns raised about the transparency of meeting times and the decision to hold meetings virtually rather than in person. One resident, Bill, highlighted inconsistencies in advertised meeting start times, which he argued could hinder public participation and foster perceptions of secrecy. The Township Council was made aware of the issue, and there were discussions about updating the township’s website, though these efforts have yet to be realized. The committee confirmed that meeting recordings are uploaded online, but a previous meeting faced delays in posting due to connectivity issues.

The committee also addressed the ongoing challenges of managing a growing number of projects. Executive Director Joseph Danielson provided updates on several infrastructure projects, noting a fourfold increase in managed projects over the past four years. The authority is working on significant projects, including the rebuild of the Wesson Canal pump station, the Shirley Avenue Pump Station, and the Somerset Street Pump Station upgrade. However, some projects, like the Western Canal Pump Station rebuild, are on hold due to land acquisition issues with the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Further discussions involved the development of amendments to the authority’s rules, rates, and regulations. Although the amendments were initially slated for a vote, the committee opted to postpone the decision to allow for public review, with the vote now scheduled for January. Additionally, the authority reported no odor complaints for November and significant maintenance work, including the flushing of over 27,000 feet of gravity sewers.

The meeting also covered financial matters, including a reported net cash position of $21,533,000, an operating revenue growth of $1.5 million, and a net position increase of $2.4 million. The committee is focused on maintaining favorable financial conditions, emphasizing the importance of sufficient cash reserves to secure beneficial lending terms. There was a mention of a recurring issue with incorrectly deposited checks, prompting the committee to seek written standards from their bank to ensure compliance.

As the meeting drew to a close, a resolution to amend the sewage authority’s rates, rules, and regulations was tabled until January. Several other resolutions were adopted, including amendments to the engineering services agreement for a sanitary sewer rehabilitation project, a refund for an overpayment, and the adoption of the audit report. The meeting concluded with expressions of holiday wishes among the attendees and a motion to adjourn.