November 19, 2007

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

Members of the Board present were:

            Christine DeLong, Chairperson

            William Earlston, Vice-Chairman

            Ron Miller, Supervisor

Also attending were:

            Rich Shoch, Solicitor                          David Shope, Chief-of-Police

            Christina Mensch, ZO/UCC               John Mazich, Engineer

            Jamie North, Danville News               Sr. Maria Goretti, MJM

            Robert & Mary Ellen Bomboy            Bob & Colleen Lenig

            Tom Gensemer, Geisinger                   Corey Lovrak, S & A Homes

            William Spedding, Penn Terra           

PUBLIC COMMENT

Robert Bomboy, representing the Neighborhood Association argued that the Board of Supervisors has not done enough to protect the residents with regard to the dangerous condition the road into Strawberry Fields poses, citing a recent mishap involving one of their neighbors.  Mr. Bomboy was advised that the Board cannot require the developer to do things over and above our laws, nor can we force a response or provide answers that should be asked directly of Mr. Welby.

After a length discussion the Board agreed to discuss some sort of signage along Red Lane to caution residents of an intersecting road.

MINUTES & TREASURER’S REPORT for October were approved with no alterations or corrections, motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

SOLICITOR advised that he would look into either bidding diesel fuel with an escalator clause or a purchase through a state contract, this would include purchase of fuel for the police department also.  The Board by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston authorized the solicitor to bid fuel purchase to be opened at the next regular meeting, if necessary.

ZONING OFFICER submitted her October reports.

POLICE DEPARTMENT October report submitted by the Chief, who then requested that the Board consider changing the rates for permit parking from $25 to $100 for additional residential and from $50 to $100 for non-residential  and include the cost of accident reports at $15 and fingerprinting for non-residents at $20.  The Board agreed, Mr. Miller motioned in favor of changing the fee schedule resolution and Mr. Earlston seconded.

STREET DEPARTMENT October report given at workshop.  Mr. Eyer had advised then that the Board should consider extending leaf collection, all were in agreement and the secretary was instructed to advertise same.

ENGINEER report required no action by the Board; however, following his report, William Spedding of Penn Terra Engineering gave a presentation of the sketch plan for Geisinger Campus Housing. This type of project is not addressed anywhere in our zoning ordinance in the institutional district and could be submitted to the Board several different ways.  Solicitor advised that the Planning Commission had made a recommendation that the Board consider accepting the project as an accessory use in the institutional district, and the Board agreed to their recommendation, motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

OLD BUSINESS

BENECON COOPERATIVE ORDINANCES AND AGREEMENTS properly advertised for adoption this evening were approved, motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.  The ordinances separately allow the township to enter into intergovernmental agreements with the Schuykill Region Insurance Cooperative and the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative to collectively purchase employee benefit insurance.

AFSCME UNION CONTRACT presented in final form offers employees a four year contract beginning January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2011 with increases of .60 the first and second year and .65 and .70 the following two years.  The only other change was made to the overall health care, in that the Township will be entering into the Benecon Cooperative to purchase health insurance.  Mr. Miller motioned in favor of approving the contract, and Mr. Earlston seconded.

CHIEF’S AGREEMENT was also addressed at this time to include the changes in health care.  The Chief’s agreement begins January 1, 2008 for a three year period ending December 31, 2010 and provides for a 3.5% increase yearly.  Mr. Miller motioned in favor of accepting the agreement and Mr. Miller seconded.

RESOLUTION TO UPDATE ACT 537 was approved by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.  This update extends municipal sewer lines to areas along Red Lane, Railroad Street and the Frosty Valley Country Club.  It will be reviewed by our engineer and returned for other necessary approvals.

NEW BUSINESS

EXCESS INTEREST awarded by PMRS is established by contract for the police and the Board by motion of Mr. Earlston, second Mr. Miller approved the distribution as ½ or $46,453.52 going back to the township’s account and $46,453.52 to the members accounts based on years of service.

Mr. Miller motioned and Mr. Earlston seconded distributing the interest earned on the members account in the amount of $8,825.12 back to the members based on years of service, with the remainder of $11,272 going back into the township’s account.  Mrs. DeLong abstained from the vote.

ARCHITECT AGREEMENT to engage Gary Wolfe of Wolfe Associates as the architect to handle the township’s remodeling project presented for approval.  Mr. Earlston motioned in favor of accepting same, pending solicitor’s review, Mr. Miller seconded.

BUILDING RENNOVATIONS bid specs were approved for advertising, pending a final review, motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.  Hopefully, bid opening can be set for the December meeting.

EMST ORDINANCE must reflect new changes under state law, therefore, by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston the board instructed the solicitor to advertise the new ordinance for adoption at the December meeting.

CPA, by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston, the Board authorized the solicitor to advertise engagement of a firm to conduct the township’s 2007 audit.

WATER & SEWER INFLITRATION ORDINANCE sample provided by the solicitor was approved by the Board to be advertised for adoption, pending a review by the municipal authority.  Mr. Miller motioned in favor, Mr. Earlston seconded.

PUBLIC COMMENT

With no further business to come before the Board Mr. Miller motioned in favor of authorizing and approving the bills and payrolls of November and also to adjourn, second Mr. Earlston.