April 20, 2009

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

            Ron Miller, Vice-Chairman

            William Earlston, Supervisor

Also attending was:                  

            Dave Shope, Chief of Police                 Lloyd Craig, MTSD                            

            John Mazich, Uni-Tec                           Dean VonBlohn, ZO/UCC                  

            John Eric, Press Enterprise                    Bud Breech

            Dave Barron                                         Wayne Myers

            Robert Casner, Auditor                        Althea Wertman, Auditor

            Shirley Draugelis, Auditor                     Bob Lenig

            Richard Hardy, GMC              

EXECUTIVE SESSION held Friday, March 20, 2009 for legal matters.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Bud Breech questioned how much of a hit the township pension plans have taken with the down turn of the economy.  He was advised the information was not readily available, but could be obtained by phone or through the website for PMRS.

MINUTES & TREASURER’S REPORT:  Minutes of the previous meeting of March 16, 2009 were approved with no alterations or corrections, motion Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.  Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2009 was accepted by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

SOLICITOR:  N/A

ZONING/UCC:  Mr. VonBlohn presented his report at workshop this morning.  Also advised his is currently working on property maintenance issues.

MYERS SUBDIVISION – NON BUILDING WAIVERS:  Were presented for approval, both Valley and Liberty Township have signed off to DEP, and by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston, Mahoning also approved the non-building waiver prepared by our SEO, which will now be forwarded to DEP for their approval

POLICE DEPARTMENT:  March monthly report submitted.

GMC STOP SIGN REQUEST for placement on Red Lane was discussed with Geisinger, who is willing to assist with the cost of the project and it was agreed that the solicitor would work with GMC to draw an agreement for placement and maintenance; motion in favor Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston.

STREET DEPARTMENT:  Mr. Craig’s report was submitted at workshop this morning.  Items requiring action were:

OAK STREET PIPE REPLACEMENT:  Brought to the Board’s attention at workshop involves Sikora Brothers, who are replacing sewer lines and in the process have found numerous deteriorated storm water pipes in this area.  They propose if the township buy new pipe they would charge $3,000 and can put it in right along with the sewer pipe they are replacing.  By motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston, the Board agreed to accept their proposal.

ENGINEER: John presented his April report.  Action was required by the Board on the following projects:

GMC PARKING – JUSTIN DRIVE:  All comments have been met, both the Planning Commission and Township Engineer recommend approval, by which Mr. Earlston voted for approval and Mr. Miller seconded.

GMC FOSS/DICKEY PARKING LOT:  All comments have been met with the exception of the approval of the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan.  Both the Planning Commission and Township Engineer recommend approval contingent upon the receipt of the approved Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan.  Based on their recommendations, Mr. Earlston voted in favor and Mr. Miller seconded.

MYERS SUB-DIVISION: All comments have been met with the exception of DEP approval; both the Planning Commission and the Township Engineer recommend approval.  Mr. Earlston voted for approval based on these recommendations and Mr. Miller seconded.

T & S REALTY LAND DEVELOMENT: All comments have been met, with the exception of approval of water and sewer; both the Planning Commission and the Township Engineer recommend conditional approval, pending approval of water and sewer. Mr. Earlston voted for conditional approval and Mr. Miller seconded.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: N/A

OLD BUSINESS

SERVICE ELECTRIC PHONE SERVICE:  After discussion with numerous other agencies that have changed over to this service as a potential means of saving money, the Board found many satisfied customers.  Once again Larry Santora of Service Electric answered questions at workshop this morning and the Board now feels they are in a better position to consider the proposal with Service Electric.  By motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston the Board voted in favor of changing the township phone service from Verizon to Service Electric.

AUDIT 2008:  Prepared by Forgett & Kerstetter has been completed and was presented to the Board by the elected auditors, who have reviewed same and advised they have conducted a spot check of the police department and will continue to spot check other departments throughout the year based on the CPA’s recommendations.

BID SALE OF TRUCK:  Bids were opened at workshop for the sale of our 1995 Ford L-8000 with plow and conveyor.  The bids were as follows:

                        Bradco Supply                                    $17,171.71

                        Towanda, PA

                        Dale Gordner                                     $  2,700.00

                        Millville, PA

The Board by motion of Mr. Miller, second Mr. Earlston rejected all bids.

PAVING BIDS:  Bids were opened this morning at workshop, they are as follows: 

            Barletta Materials, Tamaqua                             $122,457.50

            HRI, Inc., Bloomsburg                          $113,291.00

            Eastern Industries, Winfield                               $173,254.00

            G & R Charles, Port Trevorton             $121,891.90

            Robert Young, Inc., Mifflinville              $138,186.70

Mr. Miller motioned in favor, Mr. Earlston seconded to accept the low bid from HRI, Inc. in the amount of $113,291.00.

NEW BUSINESS

GENERATOR SERVICE:  Proposal received from the installer for annual service of the newly installed generator.  The Board motion in favor of approving the contract in the amount of $543.05 annually, Mr. Miller motioned, Mr. Earlston seconded.  Question from Bob Lenig prompted discuss of surge cost, and the Board agreed both PPL and Hunter & Lomison will be contacted for more information on the possible surge costs and protection.

EXONERATIONS:  Four exemption requests were received with proof of non-residency attached, and the Board approved all four.  Mr. Miller motioned in favor and Mr. Earlston seconded.

Mr. Miller motioned in favor of authorizing and approving the payrolls and bills for April, 2009 and also to adjourn, Mr. Earlston seconded.