January 15, 2007

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

Members of the Board present:

            Christine DeLong, Chairperson

            William Earlston, Vice-Chairman

            Ron Miller, Supervisor

Also attending were:

John Mazich, Engineer                                    Richard Shoch, Solicitor

Henry Eyer, Jr, Group Leader, MTSD           Chief of Police, David Shope, Jr.

Christina Mensch, Zoning/UCC Adm.           Todd Stein, Danville Associates

Kevin Young, Fire Chief                                Ron Lucas, Atty for Danville Asso.

Sr. Maria Goretti                                             Don Baylor

Tom & Robin Kessler                                     Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lenig

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bomboy                           James Gallagher

Damien Gensel, Danville News                      John Eric Koslosky, Press Enterprise

PUBLIC COMMENT

JUVENILE FACILITY – DANVILLE STATE HOSPITAL:  Mr. Bomboy questioned the Board about the current incident reported having happened at this facility and the meeting after the incident occurred.  Since the Board had not discussed the incident with the Chief, as the entire matter is legal in nature at this point, they really had no opinion.  When pressed further by Mr. Bomboy, the Board did agree that they would support a public hearing with all parties involved, wherein, the public could have answers to their questions about their concerns.

ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL:  Information on same was provided to the Neighborhood Association Group, however, Janet Sweeney has not come in to discuss this program with the residents who are interested, therefore, Mr. Bomboy again questioned when she would be available, and was advised that contact would again be made to Ms. Sweeney in an attempt to set up the meeting.  Promises of this happening within the next two months were not made, as we are unaware of her schedule, but the Board would do their best to get her in as soon as possible.

MINUTES of the previous meeting of December 18, 2006 and the reorganizational meeting of January 2, 2007 were approved by the Board with no alterations or corrections, motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

At this point the Secretary/Chairperson noted that prior to workshop this morning an executive session was held by the Board to discuss personnel issues.

TREASURER’S REPORT  for December was approved with no alterations or corrections, motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

SOLICITOR

MARIANO challenge of changes to the zoning ordinance in 2004 have been responded to by our solicitor, who advised that some items requested are considered non admissible, however, others will be provided to Mr. Mariano’s counsel tomorrow.  Attorney Shoch explained to those in attendance that Mr. Mariano has filed an appeal claiming deemed approval for his property off Woodbine Lane.  The township has filed objections to same and a hearing will be scheduled.

ZONING/ UCC ADMINISTRATOR  read her December report.

POLICE DEPARTMENT filed their December report, and addressed two items from workshop.

NEW POLICE VEHICLE included with the 2007 budget for purchase, Chief explained having received two quotes through the state contract, Warnock at $21,747.69 and Hondru at $22,322.10, the difference being that Hondru’s price includes delivery directly to the building, and Warnock would require pick up of the vehicle.  Difference in price of $574, however, due to the cost of pick up involving labor costs, the Chief recommended the Board accept the highest bid.  Mr. Miller motioned in favor of accepting the Hondru bid, and Mr. Earlston seconded.

STOP SIGN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT:  Traffic studies have completed as required by law and the Chief advised that the amendment to the ordinance for the four way stop at Red Lane should be advertised for adoption, therefore, motion was made by Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston, instructing the solicitor to advertise for adoption at our next regular meeting on February 12, 2007.  The meeting had been scheduled one week earlier because of the holiday on the third Monday of the month.

ENGINEER’S REPORT required action by the Board on the following items:

VALLEY VIEW SWALE PROJECT:  The Board motioned in favor of authorizing the secretary to proceed and process the request for payment  in the amount of $73,121.50 for this project, motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

RED LANE CULVERT:  Work began today, and no action was required by the Board, however, as of this morning the contractor felt that he is possibly one day behind schedule to finish the project, perhaps even more.

KESSLER/ROMBERGER FLOODING:  Results of a meeting with DEP held Friday, January 12, 2007 were outlined by Mr. Mazich in his report.  The Board agreed to proceed with an emergency permit from DEP in the name of the property owner, Mr. Romberger, to remove gravel from the creek, and if Mr. Romberger would agree to pay for a piece of rental equipment at an approximate cost of $385 and both he and Mr. Kessler would sign indemnification agreements with the township, the township would agree to provide the labor to remove the gravel just as soon as the ground would freeze or dry out so that proper conditions were met to allow the work be done.  The Board by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston agreed to the aforementioned, and John will contact DEP to start the permit process, while the secretary will contact Mr. Romberger to see if he is in agreement to the terms set forth in this motion.

Further, as this temporary action will protect the residents in question and the township roadways for only a short period of time, the Board instructed their engineer to contact another part of DEP to have them look at a long term fix, perhaps, through a state program, motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Kevin Young read the December 2006 report as well as presented the entire 2006 Year End report, wherein, he highlighted certain important items.  Chairperson made note of the fact that we are so fortunate to have all of the volunteers, who are so dedicated to this township.

OLD BUSINESS

Two items listed on the agenda had been previously addressed, therefore, the Board went on to new business.

NEW BUSINESS

POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS:  Chief Shope advised that since his inception as Chief the position of Sergeant has been vacant and after much deliberation by the himself and the Board, he made his recommendation, to name Timothy Berkey, the current corporal to the Sergeant’s position and Clay Fahringer, currently under patrolman’s status, to the Corporal’s position, and based on this recommendation Mr. Miller voted in favor of both promotions, Mr. Earlston seconded.

DEBRIS IN CREEKS:  Robert Lenig questioned if the Board had any discussion about  the large amount of debris residents have put into the creeks in the township, and he was advised that this was discussed at workshop as DEP is very much in favor of enforcement, therefore, the township will be reviewing our Floodplain Management  Ordinance to see how to proceed with this matter.

PUBLIC COMMENT was again opened, being none,

Mr. Miller motioned in favor of paying the bills and payrolls of December and also to adjourn, Mr. Earlston seconded.