August 21, 2006

The regular monthly meeting of the Mahoning Township Supervisors was held this evening at the Township Municipal Building at 5:30 PM.

Members of the Board present:

Christine DeLong, Chairperson

William Earlston, Vice-Chairman

Ronald Miller, Supervisor

Also attending were:

David Shope, Jr., Police Chief              Rick Shoch, Solicitor

Denny Lingenfelter, Uni-Tec                             Henry Eyer, Street Dept.

Christina Mensch, ZO/UCC                             John Davey, Cingular

Sr. Maria Goretti                                              Robert Bomboy

Jackie Fox                                                        Don Baylor

Mr. & Mr. James Gallagher                              Mr. & Mrs. Brad Herrold

Damien Gensel, & Friend, Danville News          Michael Bucher

*James Mutchler                                              *Tom Campbell

*Charles Bankes                                              *John Eardley

*Lucy Hettinger                                                *Richard Jordan

*Joe Barrera

PUBLIC COMMENT                      

Dr. Gallagher requested the opportunity to jump in with questions during the meeting at any time rather than hold them to the end of the meeting, citing it was too confusing to most of the audience to hold their questions once we’ve moved on, and he was told that he would be allowed to do so.  He also questioned the proposed changes to the Land Sub-Division Ordinance, not seeing it on the agenda, he wondered whether or not it would be discussed, and was advised that any discussion would be had at the Public Hearing, Tuesday, October 29, 2006, which was being held solely for that purpose.  He added that he felt the Board should not act to adopt that evening, as he felt many people needed at least a month to be made aware of the proposals.  He was further advised that the Board would be willing to take comments in writing prior to the public hearing.

Don Baylor questioned changes made to the Municipal Water & Sewer Authority’s regulations, and was advised that whatever changes they had made the township’s minutes so reflect that the township would not charge for their services, as they have not ever done so in the past.  Copies of minutes were provided to Mr. Baylor, as well.

Mr. Bomboy questioned what the Board intended to do with the EMST funds collected, and was advised that no plans have been made, however, at the end of the year, once we are sure what the tax will bring in actual revenue, we may have more of an idea how it can be used, especially once we begin preparation of the 2007 budget.  He wondered if it could be reduced or if any taxes could be reduced by the collection of the EMST, and was advised that this was the intent of the Board since the inception of the tax.

Margaret Flomer asked if the Board could stop employer’s from making the $52 deduction from their employee’s, if the employee has not yet made $12,000, however, the solicitor advised that this was an employer and employee issue, which may mean that the township may be making some refunds at the end of the year.  Since this is the first year we have worked with the EMST tax, we have no way of knowing, however, the employer’s were sent instructions on the tax and told that the $52 should not be deducted until such time as the employee hit the $12,000 mark.

Mr. Bomboy asked if Geisinger is using the employee’s payment of EMST tax to somehow justify the reduction of PILOT tax they pay, and was advised that this agreement is in negotiations, however, it had been mentioned during same.

Mrs. Flomer questioned the agenda item of hiring a patrolman, and was advised that the Board had conducted interviews and was in a position to be ready for a vote this evening, although, that issue would be addressed later in the agenda.

MINUTES of the previous meetings were reviewed by the Board and accepted with no alterations or corrections, motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

TREASURER’S REPORT for July was also accepted as presented by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

SOLICITOR

Advised that many of the items he had for tonight are listed separately under old or new business, however, he did update the Board on the Valley View Development from the last meeting, stating that he had made attempts to set a meeting between both the township engineer and solicitor and the developer’s engineer and legal counsel, but to no avail at this time, therefore he is now looking to schedule same as early as next week.

ZONING/UCC Report for July was presented, as was a resolution to adopt a fee schedule, which would include updated fees for all permits and engineering fees.  The Board voted in favor of adopting the resolution, motion in favor Mr. Earlston, second Mr. Miller.

REEDER SUB-DIVISION:  Also presented by Mrs. Mensch, who explained this was the same plan approved several months earlier, however, had not been recorded, therefore required new action by the Board.  Since Mr. Mazich authenticated the plan and found, in fact, it was the same one presented months earlier, the Board motioned in favor of approving same. Mr. Earlston made the motion, Mr. Miller seconded.

POLICE DEPARTMENT:  Chief offered the department’s report for July.

STREET DEPARTMENT:  Group Leader advised the press that Red Lane East will be paved around August 28, and a portion of Toby Run will be done tomorrow, so that residents can be made aware that there may be delays.  He further reported that flood damage repairs have been made, with the exception of one project, which is still pending.

SALT QUOTES:  Received for 20 ton more or less came from Cargill at $47.75 and American Rock Salt at $44.47, the Board motioned in favor of the American Rock Salt quote, motion Mr. Earlston, second Mr. Miller.

LEAF COLLECTION was scheduled, by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston to run from 7AM to 3PM, Mondays and Fridays beginning October 16, 2006 to December 1, 2006.  Two holidays will be observed during that time, and those dates as well as weight restrictions of no more than 60 pounds per bag, are to be included in the advertisement.

ENGINEERING REPORT for August was read by Denny Lingenfelter, as John Mazich is on vacation.  Items requiring action of the Board are as follows:

CINGULAR CELL TOWER:  Based on the recommendation of the Township Engineer, Mr. Earlston motioned in favor of approving the revised plans, second Mr. Miller.

RED LANE CULVERT REPAIR:  Mr. Earlston motioned in favor of acting on the advice of the Township Engineer to authorize advertising for bids on the project once the final manual and plan set is ready, hopefully within enough time to open bids at the September 18^th meeting, Mr. Miller seconded.

VALLEY VIEW SWALE:  As per the recommendation of the engineer, the Board by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston agreed to simultaneously advertise for bids for the project, and enter in discussions with the developer of Strawberry Fields to see what extent of assistance he would be willing to provide.

**NAMES OF ADDITONAL PEOPLE ENTERING THE ROOM, FOR THE MEETING OF THE MUNICPAL AUTHORITY

OLD BUSINESS

PATROLMAN:  By motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston, the Board hired Matt Gerst to fill the patrolman position.

GRASS & WEEDS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT prepared by our solicitor was presented and the Board instructed same be advertised for adoption at their next regular meeting, motion in favor Mr. Earlston, second Mr. Miller.

LOWER SHED DROP OFF will be posted, so that unauthorized people can be arrested for trespassing or bringing items, which are not acceptable, motion made by Mr. Milelr, second Mr. Earlston.  Signs will display, “No Trespassing”  & include “written authorization”.

NIMS COMPLIANCE & CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER:  FEMA and PEMA funding will require all municipalities to have resolutions stating they are NIMS compliant and naming the Chief Administrative Officer for each entity, therefore, although, the Board did adopt a proclamation for this, they now adopted a resolution, by motion of Mr. Earlston, second Mr. Miller, stating the township will be NIMS compliant and named Christine DeLong as the Chairperson of the Board as the Chief Administrative Officer of same.

FEMA FLOODING APPLICATION & RESOLUTION:  Application for the June flooding was approved by the Board, as was the resolution to name Christine DeLong as the Applicant’s Agent, motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.   This is not to say that she will hold the position of Emergency Management Director for the township, as we currently need a volunteer to hold that position.

ESCROW – BARBARICH:  The Board by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston approved returning escrow money to Mr. James Barbarich with a letter advising that, upon submission of another plan, he would be required to re-establish an escrow fund for the new submission.  The township addressed a letter asking what Mr. Barbarich would like to do with the escrow account, however, having heard no response, took ation.  Zoning Officer was asked to write the letter and check.

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION to establish fines for second and third offenders for not obtaining proper permits was discussed and the Board instructed their solicitor to advertise same, if need be, to adopt at our next meeting, motion Mr. Earlston, second Mr. Miller.  If the ordinance pertaining to this sets fees by resolution, the changes will not need to be advertised.

PAVING REQUEST – DAVE THOMAS:  This was considered by the Board at workshop, formal action came from motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston, in that, this is not part of the paving schedule for this year and cannot be done at the present time.  Letter will go to Mr. Thomas advising of the vote.

TAX APPEALS:  Due to the county’s reassessment, the Board requests that the solicitor file appeals for a number of properties in the township, Mr. Earlston motioned in favor, and Mr. Miller seconded.

PART-TIME CLERICAL/FULL-TIME STREET advertisements will be placed to fill openings for same, motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

INSURANCE:  Renewal came from AIM to cover the property portion of the township’s insurance at a cost of $10,800, while our other carrier H A Thomson quoted the same property portion at $5,493, Mr. Miller motioned in favor of changing carriers and accepting the low bid from H A Thomson, Mr. Earlston seconded.

Mr. Eyer stated that he had concerns with the action taken by the Board to consider full-time street department employment, he questioned its necessity, as well as the length of time it may take to get someone on Board, therefore the Board agreed to interview the people who applied for part-time help, while also placing an ad to review applications for full-time.

Mr. Miller motioned in favor of authorizing and approving the bills and payrolls for August and also to adjourn, Mr. Earlston seconded.