Regular Meeting January 9, 2019

Transcription

1 Regular Meeting January 9, 2019 The Regular Meeting of the Washington Township Board of Supervisors was held on January 9, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Municipal Meeting Room. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Vice Chairman Hess was also in attendance. Supervisor Diehl was absent. Also present: Secretary/Treasurer Gail Putvinski, Solicitor David Ceraul and Township Engineer Jeffrey Ott. There were fourteen (14) people in the audience. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Recited. APPROVAL OF BILLS: General Fund # $ 52, Garbage Fund # 1180 $ 34, Recreation Fund # 1614 $ Chairman Smith moved to approve the General Fund bills in the amount of $52, and Vice Chairman Hess seconded the motion. Public Comment: Vote 2 0 Chairman Smith moved to approve the Garbage Fund bills in the amount of $34, and the Recreation Fund bills in the amount of $58.22 and Vice Chairman Hess seconded the motion. All bills are on file in the Administration Building and can be viewed during regular business hours. TAX DUPLICATE CHANGES: Interim Additions, Garbage Additions 1) There were zero (0) real estate interim additions for December 2018 and zero (0) garbage additions. TREASURER S REPORT: Gail Putvinski 1) Account Balance Review Treasurer Gail Putvinski reviewed the account balances as of December 31, APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1) Regular Meeting of December 12, 2018 Chairman Smith moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 12, 2018 and Vice Chairman Hess seconded the motion. Public Comment: Vote 2 0 CORRESPONDENCE: 1) Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce, Newsletter January ) Bangor Public Library, Introduction Letter New Director, Kathleen Lynch 3) Penn State Extension, Spotted Lanternfly Permit Requirement 4) Northampton County Council of Governments Meeting, January 30, ) County of Northampton, Request Written Consent for Sale of E9SE3 4

2 The Board of Supervisors authorized the sale of the property. PUBLIC COMMENT: 1) Daren Martocci 219 Flicksville Road Mr. Martocci represented his parents and stated that there is a problem with water flowing on to Flicksville Road. The recent cold weather has resulted in accidents. Mr. Martocci requested that the Township build up the road to address the problem. Lee Messinger, Road Foreman, stated that he arranged for a milling machine on Tuesday, January 15 th to perform work on Flicksville Road. The road will be milled for approximately 20 from the Martocci driveway. He also noted that there may be an issue with the driveway that may require some attention. That will be considered after the milling. Mr. Martocci also noted that there was an issue with speeding and requested increased monitoring on Flicksville Road. A suggestion was made to use the speed monitoring device on Flicksville Road. Chief Miller stated it was not approved by PennDOT for that road. Chief Miller agreed to pursue additional speed monitoring. SUBDIVISION: 1) Pennsylvania-American Water Company Minor Subdivision Applicant: David R. Kaufman, Vice President, Pennsylvania American Water Location: 1760 Valley View Drive Engineer: Frank J. Smith Jr. Inc. Approval Deadline: January 14, 2019 Extension requested to February 15, 2019 Engineer Jeff Ott stated that PA American Water requested another extension due to the need for PA American Water to coordinate with Upper Mt. Bethel. Mr. Ott recommended support of the extension request. Chairman Smith moved to authorize an extension request to PA American Water for the Minor Subdivision until February 15, 2019 and Vice Chairman Hess seconded the motion. RECREATION: Robert Smith/Justin Huratiak 1) Recreation Complex Phase 2 Plans The Township received a second proposal for the work required to address the Bog Turtle habitat. Additional review is required. 2) L&I Complaint Update L&I Issued Certificate of Occupancy for Pavilion and Scoreboard Chairman Smith acknowledged the excellent work performed by volunteer Justin Huratiak in addressing the permit complaint. As a result of the support from Justin and assistance from Engineer Jeffrey Ott, L&I completed the inspections and issued a Certificate of Occupancy for the Pavilion and a Certificate of Occupancy for the Scoreboard. 3) Buffer Plan Last meeting the Board made a motion to send the updated Buffer Plan to Mr. & Mrs. Zengulis on Ackermanville Road and request their written agreement. Solicitor Ceraul stated he received a call from the Zengulis with additional questions and recommended that they attend tonight s meeting for clarification. The Zengulis's were not in attendance. Justin Huratiak stated that the updated Buffer Plan was prepared to address concerns raised by Mr. & Mrs. Zengulis. The content was verbally agreed to during a previous meeting. Now, new concerns are being raised, including but not limited to a higher berm and planting of mature

3 trees that will prevent any view of the complex from their backyard. Solicitor Ceraul stated he has the deeds and the Township has met the requirements. In addition, Solicitor Ceraul noted that the updated Buffer Plan exceeds the deed requirements. Justin Huratiak agreed to make another contact with Mr. Zengulis. POLICE CHIEF REPORT: Chief Miller 1) Incident Report There were 204 documented calls for service in December. 2) Police Vehicle Mileage Total mileage for the police vehicles for the month of December was 3,853 3) Approval/Adoption of Police Policy 4-14 Prisoner Transportation Chief Miller reported that he and Sergeant Krome prepared Police Policy 4-14 Prisoner Transportation addressing the proper procedures for transportation of prisoners. Chief Miller stated that the policy had been reviewed and approved by Solicitor Ceraul. Vice Chairman Hess made a motion to approve Police Policy 4-14 Prisoner Transportation, prepared by Chief Miller and Sergeant Krome and reviewed by Solicitor Ceraul, and Chairman Smith seconded the motion. ZONING REPORT: 1) Activity Report Tina Serfass of Keller Zoning & Inspection Services, the Interim Zoning Officer for Washington Township, was not in attendance but submitted an Activity Report for review by the Board of Supervisors. ENGINEER S REPORT: Jeff Ott 1) MS4 Permit Engineer Jeff Ott stated that his office has begun work on the MS4 permit. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: Robert Smith 1) Municipal Tax Information Document Filed with DCED, As Required 2) Transfer of $27, from General Fund Tax Account to Sinking Funds, Per Budget Chairman Smith made a motion to authorize the transfer of $27, from the General Fund Tax Account to the Sinking Funds, Per the Budget, and Vice Chairman Hess seconded the motion. 3) Co-Stars Salt Contract Participation for Due March 15, 2019 A decision will be made next meeting. 4) 2018 Actual Use Report of State Funds MS-965 Submitted to PennDOT The annual report was submitted. It is required to receive Liquid Fuels funds. 5) 2019 Road Project Planning The Board of Supervisors and the Road Foreman will discuss plans for 2019 and this will be on the February agenda. 6) Professional Liability Insurance Quote/Renewal Chairman Smith moved to approve the renewal of the Public Officials/Law Enforcement Professional Liability insurance with Hudson Insurance Company for the period of February 1, 2019 January 31, 2020 in the amount of $14,393.00, plus $ policy fee, and Vice Chairman Hess seconded the motion.

4 7) Judicial Sale of Nine (9) Properties; Bangor Junction Road (D9-15-8A-2), 716 Front Street (D9SW2C-15-1), 716 Front Street (D(SW2C-15-10), Front Street (D9SW2C-15-2), Front Street (D9SW2C-15-9), Gross Ave (D9SW2C-15-6), Gross Ave (D9SW2C-15-7), Gross Ave (D9SW2C-16-9) and Walnut Street (D9SW2C-16-11) 8) Future LV: Open Call for Transportation Plans and Projects Lee Messinger attended a meeting required for future submissions of projects. A plan and cost estimate is needed by March if the Township plans to submit. 9) Yard Waste Collection Plan for 2019 Additional discussion took place regarding curb-side, yard waste pick-up. Waste Management provided a maximum cap of $6,300 for the two pick-ups. Chairman Smith moved, and Vice Chairman Hess seconded to cancel consideration of implementing a twice a year yard-waste pick-up due to the cost and perceived limited value. 10) Solid Waste and Recycling Insert for March 2019-February 2020 The insert is being prepared for inclusion with the tax bill mailing. 11) 2018 Gaming Grant Use Chief Miller is pursuing a quote to implement additional security at the Township office that includes a monitor in the administrative side and remote locking/unlocking of the second entry door. It was confirmed that these expenses would be eligible from the Gaming Grant funds. ROADMASTERS REPORT: Robert Smith 1) Purchase of New Dump Truck Lee Messinger reviewed a package detailing the purchase price for the new 2019 dump truck from Hondru Ford, a costars participant. This purchase was agreed to during the budget process. The 2019 Ford F-550 4X4 chassis is $48, and EM Kutz will do the upfit at $38, for a total of $87, Chairman Smith made a motion to approve the five year lease/purchase of a 2019 Ford F-550 4x4 chassis from Hondru Ford with the upfit from EM Kutz at $38,252.00, a total cost of $87, and Vice Chairman Hess seconded the motion. 2) PA American Water Project on OW Road Update Chairman Smith stated that the contractor came to the Township and shared that they will be performing the connections and patching with a goal of completing by Friday. SOLICITOR S REPORT: David Ceraul 1) Planning for Zoning Ordinance Revisions Solicitor Ceraul recommended that the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board be contacted for input regarding possible amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The one planned change is to remove the requirement that the Zoning Officer be a Township resident. Solicitor Ceraul stated that it is cost effective to do all changes at one time. PUBLIC COMMENT: 1) Wayne Butler, 183 OW Road Mr. Butler asked for an update regarding the status of Supervisor Diehl. Solicitor Ceraul again stated that the Supreme Court recently struck down an option that allowed a percentage of residents to sign a petition for the removal of a Supervisor. Solicitor Ceraul went on to state that he is researching a quo warranto action. Mr. Butler read an excerpt from a

5 document from the PA General Assembly and asked Solicitor Ceraul to comment on the line that states a township officer shall be removable from office upon conviction of misbehavior in office. Solicitor Ceraul acknowledged that clause and went on to state that the section referenced by Mr. Butler is same section which references the quo warranto. Basically, an explanation of the situation needs to be provided to higher authority. Solicitor Ceraul is planning to involve the District Attorney and/or the Attorney General. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Smith moved, and Vice Chairman Hess seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 pm. Respectfully submitted, Gail Putvinski Secretary/Treasurer Washington Township Board of Supervisors