SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REORGANIZATION MEETING JANUARY 24, 2017 APPROVED MEETING MINUTES

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1 SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REORGANIZATION MEETING JANUARY 24, 2017 APPROVED MEETING MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the South Strabane Township Board of Supervisors (Board) came to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Mae C. Reynolds Meeting Room of the Municipal Building (550 Washington Road). The following were present: Board of Supervisors: Also Present: Thomas Moore, Chairman; Robert Weber, Vice Chairman; Edward Mazur, Jack Keisling; and Laynee Zipko. Brandon Stanick, Township Manager; and Dennis Makel, Township Solicitor. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Moore led the Pledge of Allegiance. A list of 18 visitors is on file at the Municipal Building. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Rich Luketich (resident on Booth Rd.) expressed concern for the amount of salary received by the Township Tax Collector. He suggested the matter be discussed further by the Board. Ms. Judy Panasik (resident on Green Crescent Dr.) expressed her ongoing concerns with the Parks & Recreation Council. She stated most of the people going on the bus trips are not Township residents and this shows that the Township is supplementing the cost for non-residents to participate in these events. Also, Township residents should have first choice for the Bingo event in the spring. Ms. Panasik stated at a previous Library Board Meeting a resident of the Township was in attendance and was screamed at by the Board s liaison to the Library Board. Further, she stated the Township s contribution to the Library should not be reduced as the Library depends on this funding. Mr. Jerry Angelo (resident on Rankin Rd.) expressed his ongoing concern for speeding on Rankin Road. He suggested several actions for the Township to take that would address the issue, including: installing rumble strips on the road and painting the speed limit on the road surface. Mr. Angelo requested a time and day that the Township will address the speeding issue.

2 Ms. Cynthia Rossi (resident on Zediker Station Rd.) stated she has learned from her research that Tax Collector Laura Keisling makes $0.23 per tax return. Ms. Rossi distributed a letter from Library Board Member Joan Bruno to the Board (the letter is on file at the Township Office). She stated the Library is in better shape as it recently invested $1.3 million in improvements to the building. She also noted the strategic planning consultant had walked out a day before the first strategic plan meeting was scheduled. 4. CONSIDERATION OF THE JANUARY 3, 2017 REORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES Mr. Keisling moved to approve the Board Reorganization Meeting Minutes for January 3, 2017 as presented. Mr. Mazur seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 5. CONSIDERATION OF THE JANUARY 10, 2017 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Mr. Mazur moved to approve the Board Regular Meeting Minutes for January 10, 2017 as presented. Ms. Zipko seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 6. FINANCIAL BUSINESS Mr. Mazur moved to approve the: Payroll for the period of January 1 through January 14, 2017 (pay date of January 20, 2017) in the amount of $102,681.59; and Bills for the period January 6 through January 18, 2017 in the amount of $111, Ms. Zipko seconded the motion. Township Manager Stanick advised of the additional expense to pay VFIS, the Fire Department insurance carrier, in the amount of $7, because the due date and the next Board meeting do not coincide. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 7. REPORTS FROM SCHEDULED VISITORS 7A. Daryl Price, Parks & Recreation Council Chair Daryl Price, Parks & Recreation Council (Council) Chair, updated the Board regarding the Council s planning efforts for the 2017 events. Approval of the following events was requested: i) All scheduled bus trips; ii) Easter Egg Hunt purchases in the amount of $1,300; iii) May 1 st newsletter in the amount of $1,760 to be mailed to all residences in the Township; and iv) June 3 rd Community Day Event in the amount of $6,000 from the budget. A discussion ensued and Mr. Price described the plans for the Community Day Event noting sponsorships will be available from $500 to $3,500. Food and refreshments will be available, including food trucks, entertainment with DJ, live bands, magic show, as well as numerous events for children, including a drone zone. Page 2

3 Mr. Keisling asked why the Council is pursuing sponsorship for Community Day. Mr. Price noted they will be able to enhance the events using funds from sponsors. Mr. Mazur moved to approve the events and activities presented by the Council as requested. Mr. Keisling seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 8A. Consideration of Appointments to South Strabane Township Sanitary Authority, Township Delinquent Per Capita Tax Collector and Delinquent Mercantile Tax Collector, and Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee (Planning Commission Member) At the request of Chair Moore, Mr. Mazur moved to take the Sanitary Authority appointment from the table. The motion was seconded by Mr. Keisling. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Mr. Mazur moved to appoint Cynthia Rossi to serve on the Sanitary Authority beginning January 1, 2017 term. Mr. Weber seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Mr. Joe Trifaro, Chair of the Sanitary Authority, inquired why the Sanitary Authority was not notified a new member was going to be appointed. Township Solicitor Makel advised there is no requirement for the Board to provide notification or for the Board to advertise for the position. Mr. Mazur remarked the Sanitary Authority must be accountable to the residents. The motion passed on a 4-1 voice vote. Mr. Weber moved to appoint Laura Keisling as Delinquent Per Capita Tax Collector & Delinquent Mercantile Tax Collector for the 2017 term. Mr. Mazur seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote with Mr. Keisling abstaining. Mr. Keisling moved to appoint Thomas Steele as a Planning Commission member and Don Lambert as a Zoning Hearing Board member to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Mr. Weber seconded the motion. A discussion followed. Mr. Keisling expressed his support for appointing Mr. Steele and noted he had asked Mr. Lambert to also apply and recommended he also be added to the Steering Committee. Mr. Mazur stated that Mr. Lambert s letter was not submitted in time to be considered for the Steering Committee. Page 3

4 Mr. Weber remarked the deadline was more for resident applicants so that interviews could be scheduled than advisory board members. Ms. Zipko noted there is a vacancy on the Steering Committee for a Planning Commission member and suggested filling the vacancy with Mr. Steele by voting on the candidates separately. The vote was called and the motion failed on a 3-2 voice vote with Mr. Mazur, Ms. Zipko and Chair Moore voting no. 8B. Continued Discussion and Consideration of Agenda Format Mr. Mazur stated all Supervisors have a copy of the draft format. He stated the purpose of the proposed format is to address the Township business first with consideration of the minutes, paying the bills, receiving reports from public officials, considering old business and considering new business and then having questions and comments from the people. If someone asks questions of the Board then it is the Board s responsibility to answer the questions at the following meeting if not answered immediately. Mr. Mazur moved to approve the agenda format as proposed for future use at Township meetings. Mr. Weber seconded the motion. Mr. Weber asked Township Manager Stanick to provide an update regarding this matter. Township Manager Stanick advised at its previous meeting the Board directed the Township Manager to meet with Mr. Mazur and Mr. Weber to review the agenda format and make a recommendation to the Board. The meeting was held and it is recommended the Board consider: i) keeping Public Comment Time as #3 on the agenda moving forward. At this time visitors should feel free to ask questions of the Board or the Township Manager; and ii) at the next meeting, during Old Business, make time for the Board to respond to questions presented at the previous meeting. This would not preclude the Township Manager from reaching out before the Board meeting to provide the answer. The question would still be reported out during the meeting under Old Business. A discussion followed. Mr. Keisling moved to table the motion. Mr. Weber seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 8C. Report on Solicitor s Findings of Strabane Manor Greenspace and Recreation Fees Township Solicitor Makel provided an update of his findings regarding this matter. He reported that for the development, the developer is obliged to pay the Township $250 for park development. Because the open space requirement is a specific requirement for a conditional use in the Zoning Page 4

5 Code, the Board is without authority to waive or modify that requirement. The Board did not have the authority to enter into the agreement to accept a fee in lieu of open space. 8D. Consideration of Acquiring the Colussi Property Located at 570 Washington Road through Eminent Domain Mr. Keisling moved to take this matter from the table. The motion failed without a second. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9A. Consideration of Upcoming 2017 Parks & Recreation Council Events This matter was addressed during Agenda Item 7A. 9B. Consideration of an Agreement Between South Strabane Township and West Penn Power Company to Provide Street Lighting Services Mr. Randy Durr, West Penn Power External Affairs Manager, provided a brief update regarding this matter. He noted that the cost for the street light fixtures and the energy used is charged to the Township on a monthly basis. West Penn Power currently makes new LED street lights available to municipalities at no cost if those fixtures are at least 10 years old. LED street light advantages include greater efficiency, longer live and less cost over time. He noted that time is of the essence for the Township to approve the Street Light Agreement because a new tariff will go into effect on January 27 th. The new tariff increases the commercial and residential energy rates and increases the cost of mercury vapor and high pressure sodium lights by 20%. Mr. Mazur moved to approve the agreement between South Strabane Township and West Penn Power Company to provide street lighting services. Ms. Zipko seconded the motion. Mr. Keisling asked what is the recommendation from the Township Manager and Engineer. Both the Township Manager and Township Engineer recommended the Board approve the agreement. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 9C. Consideration of an Appointment of a Negotiator for the Public Works Union Contract Mr. Keisling moved to have Jack Cambest serve as the Township s Negotiator for the Public Works Union contract reopener. The motion failed without a second. 9D. Consideration of a Final Subdivision Approval for the Presbyterian Senior Care for a Revised Woodlands at Redstone Subdivision No. 4 (R-3 Zoning District) Page 5

6 Mr. Keisling moved to approve the final subdivision approval for Presbyterian Seniorcare for a revised Woodlands at Redstone Subdivision, No. 4. Mr. Weber seconded the motion. Mr. Brethauer, representing Presbyterian Seniorcare, requested the Board approve the subdivision. Mr. Mazur asked why the land is being subdivided. Mr. Greg Mileski (with Presbyterian Seniorcare) stated the existing house will be removed to make space for the construction of a center for dementia. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 9E. Consideration of Land Development Approval for W&W Realty Enterprises, L.P. for an Automobile/Vehicle Storage Lot Along Munce Ridge Road at 570 Washington Road (C-2 Zoning District) Mr. Keisling moved to approve the land development for W&W Realty Enterprises, L.P. for an automobile/vehicle storage lot along Munce Ridge Road at 570 Washington Road. The motion was seconded by Ms. Zipko. At the request of Mr. Weber, Mr. Lonich, legal counsel representing W&W Realty Enterprises, advised his client is seeking approval from the Board. The Zoning Hearing Board granted (with conditions) special exception to allow an automobile/vehicle storage lot as a comparable use to a vehicle sales lot. The Planning Commission recommended final land development approval as well. Mr. Rich Rush (Widmere Engineering), the applicant s Engineer, presented a site plan and engineering drawing of the proposed site. He noted an underground detention system will be constructed and will discharge below the Township s property. Buffer yards adjacent to residential and commercial properties will also be provided by planting six foot evergreens. Mr. Mazur asked if the existing trees can remain. Mr. Rush advised it would become a liability issue. Mr. Keisling inquired about restricting the use of Nathan Lane to exit onto Cameron Road. A discussion restricting access followed. As there was no further discussion, the motion passed on the following unanimous roll call vote: Ayes (5) Zipko, Mazur, Keisling, Weber and Chair Moore Nays (0) Page 6

7 9F. Consideration of an Agreement Between CW Wright Construction and South Strabane Township to Allow Vehicles to Park at the Former Public Works Facility Property Township Manager Stanick provided an update regarding this matter and confirmed CW Wright Construction agreed to pay the Township $200 per month through the end of August. Mr. Mazur moved to approve an agreement between CW Wright Construction and South Strabane Township to allow vehicles to park at the former public works facility property for $200 per month through August Mr. Keisling seconded the motion. Following a brief discussion, the motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 9G. A Public Hearing to Consider an Application from Plaza Azteca Washington County, Inc. for Approval of an Inter-Municipal Transfer of a Restaurant Liquor License from Outside the Township to 1010 Trinity Circle, Washington Chair Moore introduced the item and opened the public hearing. Mr. Anthony Pivirotto, representing Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, updated the Board on the restaurant s desire to relocate to the Township. The nearest chain restaurant is in Robinson Township. Ms. Zipko inquired of the location of the restaurant. Mr. Pivirotto advised it will be located at the Ponderosa restaurant in Trinity Point. Ms. Zipko expressed her belief that Ponderosa is still open. As there were no further comments from the public or the Board, Mr. Mazur moved to approve the liquor license transfer. Ms. Zipko seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 10. REPORT FROM SOLICITOR The Township Solicitor had no report. 11. REPORT FROM SECRETARY / TREASURER Township Manager Stanick advised of the following monthly correspondence received: a) Letter (with attachments) dated January 4, 2017 from Yvonne Plute, Regulatory Compliance Tech II for Range Resources, notifying the Township of proposed well sites (6H through 11H ) in Nottingham Township; b) Letter (with attached map) dated January 6, 2017 from Joyce Susa, PennDOT Design Services Engineer, notifying the Township of PennDOT s intent to submit an application Page 7

8 for a water obstruction permit to the PA DEP for repair and maintenance to the existing culverts along S.R. 136 and S.R. 519; c) Letter (with attachments) dated January 6, 2017 from Dennis Costa, Asst. Environmental Manager for GAI Consultants, Inc., notifying the Township that EQM intends to submit a a Waterbody obstruction and Encroachment General Permit to the Wash Co. Conservation District for NIMA-S001/S003 Pipeline; d) Letter (with attachments) dated January 10, 2017 from John Zavatchan, Jr., Landman Permitting for EQT, notifying the Township of EQT s intention to apply for natural gas drilling permits Cogar & in Amwell Township e) Letter (with attachments) dated January 11, 2017 from Mr. Zavatchan, Landman Permitting for EQT, notifying the Township of EQT s intention to apply for a natural gas drilling permit Cogar in Amwell Township; f) dated January 18, 2017 from Jennifer Cloonan, Director of Local Government Affairs for Range Resources, providing an update on the Zediker and Munce gas well operations; and g) dated January 20, 2017 from Jim Hawrot, Township resident, expressing concern for the low frequency sound caused by nearby gas wells. 12. COMMENTS FROM SUPERVISORS Mr. Mazur moved to authorize the solicitor to contact W&W Reality for the possible purchase of property near the existing Police Station. The motion was seconded by Chair Moore. A discussion ensued regarding the Township Engineer evaluating the feasibility of using the adjacent property. Mr. Mazur and Chair Moore accepted an amendment to the original motion to also include the Township Engineer in the evaluation of the property adjacent to the Police Station. The motion as amended passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes (4) Zipko, Mazur, Weber and Chair Moore Nays (1) Keisling 13. ADJOURNMENT As no further business came before the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Mazur moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weber. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brandon J. Stanick Township Manager Page 8