Sussex Borough updated on asset management plan

SUSSEX BOROUGH — James Schappell, sub-contracted by Gerald Gardner, Sussex Water/Sewer utility manager, presented the status of the computerized Sussex Borough Asset Management Plan on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Sussex Borough Council meeting.

Schappell said that he and Alex Gardner took physical inventory of the Sussex Borough assets by digging up manhole covers, exercising valves, and locating lines all over the borough, along with Department of Public Works personnel. He said they also set up the computer system, with the help of Mayor Jonathan Rose. 50 percent to 75 percent of the data has been entered into the software package.

Once completed, the DPW will access information through cell phones or computers and manage assets such as the location of: water meters, sewer/water lines — including abandoned — manholes, valves, and hydrants. The borough will even be able to identify the number of people served on a water/sewer line, the condition of assets, and approximate life cycle.

Next, the Borough can form maintenance and long-term goals from the data — in priority order — including a valve cleaning/exercising schedule, which Gardner recommends.

Councilwoman Annette Stendor asked if there is any way to tell what the water/sewer operation is worth?

Gardner said that can be done once the inventory is completed.

He also explained the physical labor involved in gathering all of the information. Sometimes valve boxes are under 3-5 feet of dirt that had to be cleaned out before control valves could be exercised. Officials expressed surprise when told that although Earth Care had also been sub-contracted to help with some of the work, Gardner would not ask for more than the original negotiated $52,000 per year contract as utility manager.

“It looks like you came a long way in a short amount of time, to the Borough's advantage," Council President Linda Masson said. "If we had this a year ago, it would have been great.”

On Feb. 7, Masson and Stendor voted against hiring Gardner as the water/sewer utility manager, due to borough's fiscal issues at the time.

Recently the state Department of Environmental Protection said it will require Sussex Borough to create an Asset Management Plan of the Water/Sewer Utility. Gardner said,

“The DEP doesn't have any idea we are this far along; they just told us," he said said.

On Jan. 20, Gardner had explained to the council the need to be proactive in identifying potential weaknesses and offered to be the borough's water/sewer utility manager, including digitizing the map of the utility by using a software program.