July 21, 2008

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

Members of the Board present:

            Christine DeLong, Chairperson

            Ron Miller, Vice-Chairman

            William Earlston, Supervisor

Also attending were:

            John Mazich, Uni-Tec               Rick Shoch, Solicitor

            Henry Eyer, Jr., MTSD                        David Shope, Jr., Police Chief

            Christina Mensch, ZO/UCC                 Bonnie Johnson

            Jamie North, Daily Item                        John Eric, Press Enterprise

            Mr. Robert Lenig                                  Bill Shultz

            Barbara Witt                                        Anna Hummel

            Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Steltz                       Wayne Creasy

            Atty. Gary Norton                                Atty. George O Wagner

PUBLIC COMMENT

HAGGERTY SAND & GRAVEL GROUP:  Residents and their legal counsel concerned with this proposed project addressed questions to the Supervisors, their legal counsel and their engineer in an effort to understand the entire permitting process and they were given all the information the township could provide t this time.  They were also advised of the tentative date for the public hearing for conditional use.

MINUTES of the previous meeting of June 16, 2008 were approved by Mr. Miller with no alterations or corrections, second Mr. Earlston.

TREASURER’S REPORT for the month of June was also approved, as submitted, motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

SOLICITOR:  Advised that the Board has discussed Monday, August 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM to hold the Conditional Use Public Hearing requested by Haggerty Sand & Gravel, and the Board by motion of Mr. Earlston, second Mr. Miller did in fact set that date and instructed same be advertised.

ZONING/UCC ADMINISTRATOR:  Presented her July report of permits issued.

POLICE DEPARTMENT:  Chief submitted the July report, and requested that the Board approve the purchase of a 2009 police car through state contract, as provided for in this year’s budget Mr. Miller motioned in favor, Mr. Earlston seconded.  The price of the purchase will not exceed $35,000 for the entire police package.

STREET DEPARTMENT:  Mr. Eyer advised having submitted his report at workshop this morning and requested the following action by the Board:

PIPE REPLACEMENT BID:  Recommended that bid specs be advertised to be opened at the August workshop for 60“ of pipe replacement for failing CMP pipe that crosses Red Lane just west of Kaseville Road.  Specs have been prepared with the help of our municipal service rep at PA DOT and our engineer has made application for the DEP permit.  The Board, by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston authorized advertising to accept bids on the project to be opened at the August workshop.

LINE PAINTING:  Mr. Eyer had two quotes to do the painting this year, as provided for in the budget; Alpha Space Control at $4800 and Interstate Road Management at $4224, and the Board accepted the low quote by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.  Painting will be scheduled prior to October 1.

MIRROR – KASEVILLE & BLOOM:  Chuck advised that the mirror placed by the township prior to the intersection being made into a four way stop is in need of repair or replacement, however, because this now is a four way stop, Chuck, Penn DOT and the Chief of Police all agree, the mirror is no longer necessary.  Therefore, the Board motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston voted in favor of removal.

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

TRAFFIC STUDY:  John requested that the proposed traffic study go back to the Planning Commission one more time prior to the Board’s final approval, and the Board agreed.  Further, John will forward a copy of the proposal to Geisinger for their perusal.

OLD BUSINESS

ZONING/UCC POSITION:  After advertising two months ago, conducting interviews of all nine applicants and second interviews of the top three people, the Board felt they are in a position this evening to hire for this thirty hour per week position.  Mr. Miller motioned in favor of hiring Jay Vought at $12 per hour to start, Mr. Earlston seconded the motion.  Mrs. DeLong abstained from the vote.

NEW BUSINESS

BIU RATE INCREASE:  At the request of our Third Party Inspection Company, the Board approved a resolution increasing BIU fees 2-cents per square foot for new residential homes, additions and commercial projects.  Motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.  New rates take effect tomorrow.

SUNCOM AGREEMENT: Cleaning contract approved with the 3% increase due to rising gas prices, motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

SPECIAL COUNSEL – VALLEY VIEW:  The Board approved hiring McNees, Wallace and Nurick to serve as special counsel to the township for advice on how to proceed with this ongoing problem development.  Motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.  The file will be turned over to them as we await their further advice.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  None

With no further business to come before the board, Mr. Miller motioned in favor of authorizing and approving the bills and payrolls for July and also to adjourn, Mr. Earlston seconded.