1. Call to Order 12:15 PM

Minutes CENTRAL SECTION MEETING 4/13/2016 Yesterday’s

1. Call to Order – 12:15 PM President – Jim Lafferty

2. Roll Call Executive Committee: Jim Lafferty President _X_ present____ absent Nicole Joy Vice President _X_ present____ absent Emil Nemec Treasurer _X_ present____ absent Carrie-Anne Lyons Secretary _X_ present____ absent Jill Plesnarski Past President _X_ present____ absent

TRUSTEES Mike Roy (Expires 5/2018) _X_ present___ absent Ray Nierstedt (Expires 5/2016) ____ present_X_ absent Jerry Harris (Expires 5/2017) ____ present_X_ absent

3. Pledge to the Flag: Y

4. Self Introductions: Y

5. Approval of Minutes - Motion: Al Lunkenheimer Second: Jerry Haimowitz Comments & Corrections: N/A Approved

6. President's Report:

Welcome back everyone, following is our monthly update;

Reminder - the 2016 Council of Delegates meeting April 22nd 2016 at 8:45 a.m. at the Sheraton Eatontown. It will not be held at the Annual NJWEA Conference in Atlantic City this year.

Please make arrangements to attend the Delegate’s meeting on April 22 nd in Eatontown at the Sheraton. Delegates:

1. Stephen Florek, II 2. Alan Friedrich 3. Eric Reichert 4. Jeff Williams 5. Henry Penley 6. Jennifer Loudon 7. John Mele 8. Peter Nese 9. Al Lunkenheimer 10. John Gardner

Alternate Delegates:

1. Jerry Haimowitz 2. Roger Parkhurst 3. Glenn Plesnarski 4. Norman Townsend

Reminder – The NJWEA John J. Lagrosa 101st Conference & Exposition will be held at Bally’s in Atlantic City May 16 through May 20, 2016. (No Central Section Business Meeting in May)

Our three (3) volunteer’s bartending at the hospitality suite at the May Conference are;

Eric Reichert Bobbie Hartsell Jerry Haimowitz.

In addition, two (2) vender booth judges who volunteered this year again for the exhibit area are;

Jerry Haimowitz Eric Reichert Thank you all for your services.

This is my last business meeting as the Central Section President; Nicole Joy is the incoming President following the Conference in May. It was an enjoyable experience and a pleasure serving as Central Section President for the past two (2) years. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

I want to wish Nicole Joy best wishes as our next President along with the incoming Vice President-Carrie-Anne Lyons, Emil Nemec-Treasurer, and new Secretary-Eric Reichert, (Best wishes to you all).

7. Vice President's Report: Present, No Report I want to thank all of you for sending me as a representative of the NJWEA Central Section to the WEFMAX conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference was a great information sharing experience between the state Membership Associations (MA’s) and there were many valuable take-a-ways.

A. One of the key topics at the conference was on the future workforce in the wastewater operations world and making operations an attractive career opportunity. Many operators are expected to retire in the coming years, and there is a shortage of qualified and motivated people to replace these critical personnel. Along with the shortage of qualified wastewater professionals, is the issue of aging infrastructure. MA’s have been working on different strategies to tackle these challenges. NEWEA has started public outreach campaign to educate the public on wastewater and water treatment with emphasis on the value of water and working on programs to support public infrastructure and legislation. South Carolina has successfully started and obtained legislation for a Pathway Program, which is a Water Apprenticeship for Youths. High school students or adults getting their GEDs have the opportunity to apply for this program, pairs them with a wastewater mentor at a plant where they work while they simultaneously attend a technical school for wastewater certification. This allows younger people to be working on training and the certification process earlier. Additionally, WEF is working on online training sessions for operators and is trying to drive forward an initiative for more national standards for operator certification with the intent that reciprocity between states could become more feasible. This would make an operations career path more mobile and therefore make it more attractive.

B. Another key topic at the conference was the value of millennials in the workplace and how to retain millennials in the workplace. Millennials need mentorship and in return can provide reverse mentorship – especially in the area of technology. Additionally, they are looking for more work-life integration. Millennials are the operators of our future. Therefore, please look for opportunities to share your knowledge and mentor prospective candidates.

C. Also discussed at the conference, was the upcoming changes to MS4 stormwater permits and how the changes will impact the wastewater world. Will treatment be required? WEF has created a Stormwater Institute which serves as a clearing house of information and a place for collaboration on stormwater issues.

D. The major take-a-way from WEF at WEFMAX 2016 is to get engaged and involved. WEF has many tools for information sharing on the website – webcasts, skills builders, publications, etc. that are there to make your job easier. WEF wants MA’s to send operator initiatives to them and is requesting members to get involved with their state certification boards. As WEF members and as the experts of the wastewater industry, we need to be seeking every opportunity to encourage and mentor future operations, educate the public on the importance of wastewater initiatives, and drive forward innovation because water is worth it! E. I thank you again for this opportunity to represent the NJWEA at WEFMAX Philly 2016.

8. Treasurer's Report: Emil Nemec : Checking: $21,792.01 Wells Fargo: $11,737.46 Total : $33,629.47 Motion: Jeff Williams Second: Jerry Haimowitz Comments and Corrections: N/A Approved

9. NJWEA State Report: No Representative, No Report

10. Committee Reports:

Alan Friedrich - Good & Welfare – Present – sent basket Connie Lagrosa and Jim Lafferty read a thank you note from Jeff Williams.

Clark Wolverton – Membership (& Mailings) – Absent – No Report

Roseann Pettrow- Present – No Report

Jen Loudon - Special Activities – Absent – No Report

Roger Parkhurst – Absent – No Report

Robert Noel - Education & Seminars Programs – Absent – No Report

Jeff Williams – Manual of Practice – Present – No Report

Eric Reichert – Webmaster – Present – No Report

Henry Penley - Membership roster – Absent - No Report

Robert Noel - Scholar Awards – Absent – No Report

Jen Loudon Young Professionals – Absent – No Report

10. New Business:

Jill Plesnarski announced that Mini Seminars will be from June 13th – 15th flyer will go out shortly. Carrie Anne Lyons attended WEFMAX and spoke about takeaways from the experience. Looking to recruit more operators to become more involved in organization. Attract more operators to the wastewater field in general. Spoke about a program going on in South Carolina where the school guidance counselors and tech schools are working with local sewer authorities getting students involved in work program where they work part- time and the technical school assumes the insurance liability. This will also provide incentive for getting a license because the time will be cut down for individuals involved in the program.

11. Lunch:

12. SEMINAR SPEAKER – was Jerry Haimowitz who gave a 1hr program entitled Excavation, Back Fill & Pipe Repair.

13. Door Prizes: Prizes donated by: Bendlin and Lyons Environmental.

14. Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 8th , 2016 at Yesterday’s Restaurant, 3153 Rt. 35 in Hazlet, NJ 07730.

15. Adjournment: Motion: Jeff Williams Second: Al Lunkenheimer Time: 14:00

Lunch Attendees: Jim Carr, Martin Dell, Frank Dykas, Ray Frank, Alan Freidrich, John Gardner, Ernie Gillins, Richard Godlewski, Jerry Haimowitz, Kevin Heney, George Hoff, Thomas Horn, Michael Ingenito, Walter Jenness, Nicole Joy, Greg LaFerla, Jim Lafferty, Al Lunkenheimer, Carrie-Anne Lyons, Rich Malt, Emil Nemec, Roseann Pettrrow, Jill Plesnarski, Joseph Polomene, Andrew Pursell, John Reardon, Eric Reichert, Joe Reilly, Mike Roy, Gregory Seaman, Dennis Smith, Ron Suto, Anthony Tambasco, Brendan Tobin, Jeff Williams, Charles Winkler