SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULAR MEETING JUNE 13, 2017 APPROVED MEETING MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the South Strabane Township Board of Supervisors (Board) came to order at 7:04 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; Dennis Makel, Township Solicitor; Michael Sherrieb, Township Engineer; James Barnes, Public Safety Director; and Scott Reese, Fire Chief. A list of 12 visitors is on file at the Municipal Building. Chair Moore held a moment of silence for former supervisor Louis DePretis who recently passed away. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Moore led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Moore noted the Board conducted an Executive Session prior to this evening s meeting to discuss personnel and potential litigation. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Moore stated the Board allocates a period of time during this item for those individuals who would like the opportunity to address the Board on any matter. Each person addressing the Board is asked to limit their comments to a maximum of three (3) minutes. Mr. John Zipko (resident on Berry Rd.), in regard to tonight s discussion of the Berry Rd./ Manifold Rd. intersection, stated that the existing Y configuration provides an easily accessible location where people can load hay bales from his property onto trailers hitched to a truck that can span 50 feet. He expressed concern that any changes to the intersection may prevent him from providing an easily accessible and safe pick-up location.
Ms. Nancy Zipko (resident on Berry Rd.) suggested the Township consider addressing the erosion of the banks of the bridge on Berry Rd. Ms. Sherry Blackburn (resident on Fox Dr.) remarked on her observations of the June 3 rd Community Day event noting there were approximately 200 people present at 5:05 p.m. and by 5:30 p.m. everyone had ice cream. She expressed concern there was no place for people to sign in and there was a vendor tent with a Republican candidate campaigning for office and offering voter registration. Additionally, she expressed her concern for the quality of food and that people were not aware that the food from Hot Dawgz was free. She stated there were a lot of children having fun and that the video game truck was not handicap accessible. Ms. Judi Panasik (resident on Green Crescent Dr.) expressed concern for the time and resources spent on Community Day. She stated the parking wasn t full nor were the bleachers. She expressed concern for how loud the music was at 9:30 p.m. In addition, she expressed concern for sponsors and vendors that are not in the Township, as well as concern for using volunteers that are not on the Park and Recreation Council. Ms. Panasik also expressed concern for driving on Berry Rd. and suggested the Township consider closing the portion of Berry Rd. from the Old Mill Shopping Center to Manifold Rd. until the road is fixed. She stated the other day a car carrier was parked along Cameron Rd. and was blocking traffic. In regard to a later agenda item concerning a request from Trinity School District, she stated she hopes the Township doesn t decide to pay a big percentage of the tax assessment appeals because the school district receives a larger portion of the revenue than the Township. Mr. Mazur asked for an account of the wrecks on Manifold Rd. in the past two years. Ms. Zipko stated she is ware of only two wrecks in the past two years. 4. CONSIDERATION OF THE MAY 23, 2017 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Mr. Mazur moved to approve the Minutes for May 23, 2017 as presented. Ms. Zipko seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 5. FINANCIAL BUSINESS Mr. Keisling moved to approve the: Payroll for the periods May 7 through May 20, 2017 in the amount of $110,895.06 and May 21 through June 3, 2017 in the amount of $113, 163.76; and Bills for the period May 18, 2017 through June 8, 2017 in the amount of o General Fund: $175,380.09 o Liquid Fuels: $ 403.43 o SST Escrow: $ 23.00 Mr. Mazur seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. Page 2
6. SCHEDULED VISITORS Fire Chief Quarterly Report Fire Chief Reese stated the Fire Department has participated in several events this year; including: Community Day, Touch a Truck and Special Olympics. He reported there is a request before the Board to consider three additional fire hydrants in the Colonial Woods neighborhood. The two buildings behind Aspen Dental will be coming online very soon. Public Safety Director Quarterly Report Public Safety Director Barnes stated Pandora, Great Clips, Chipotle, Firehouse Subs, Zoup, Batteries+Bulbs, T-Mobile and Qwest Diagnostics will be opening soon. He noted several residential building permits that were issued this quarter, as well as provided an overview and status of the various code violations in 2017. Public Safety Director Barnes advised there is also a request on the agenda for the Board to consider several property liens for property maintenance violations. In response to a comment from Mr. Keisling, a discussion followed regarding those liens prepared for the Board s consideration. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There were no items for the Board to consider. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8A Consideration of a Request to Add Three New Fire Hydrants Mr. Keisling moved to add three new fire hydrants in the vicinity of: 591 Elmwood Dr., Intersection of Concord and Wilbert Avenues and 1058 North Main St. (along Cedar Lane). Ms. Zipko seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. 8B Consideration of Placing Liens on Properties Located at 42 Vance Station Rd., 285 Lakeview Dr. and 3 Farley Ave. for Violation of Section 66-1 (Brush, Grass and Weeds) of the South Strabane Township Municipal Code Mr. Mazur moved to lien the following properties for violation of Section 66-1 of the Municipal Code concerning property maintenance: 42 Vance Station Rd., 285 Lakeview Dr. and 3 Farley Ave. Ms. Zipko seconded the motion. Mr. Keisling inquired about the costs associated with filing the liens. Township Solicitor Makel advised he will work with Township Manager Stanick on this matter and update the Board at its next meeting. Page 3
Mr. Weber moved to table the motion. The motion was seconded by Ms. Zipko. The motion passed on a 4-1 vote with Mr. Mazur voting no. 8C Consideration of a Request from Trinity School District to Share in the Costs of Tax Assessment Appeals for Large Commercial Properties Township Solicitor Makel provided an update regarding this matter. He suggested, should the Board desire splitting the costs of an appraiser with the School District, the cost be based on the millage rate the Township levies. Mr. Mazur moved to authorize the Township to share in the costs of tax assessment appeals for large commercial properties with Trinity School District. Mr. Weber seconded the motion. Mr. Keisling noted it make take some time before the Township would get its money back. The motion failed on a 4-1 vote with Mr. Mazur voting yes. 8D Discussion Concerning the Intersection of Berry Road and Manifold Road Chair Moore opened the floor for discussion. Mr. Weber suggested authorizing the Manager to start discussions with the Township Engineer and PennDOT to consider the options available to improve Berry Rd. and the Berry/Manifold intersection. Ms. Zipko suggested a meeting with property owners before any improvements are designed. Mr. Keisling suggested reviewing the historical comments regarding the townhouse development planned near the Old Mill Shopping Center. He also suggested working with the State to install stop signs to improve the safety at the intersection. Township Engineer Sherrieb noted the first step is to learn what the State has planned for this area, as well as information relating to existing traffic studies. He also noted input from nearby property owners will also be needed. Ms. Zipko remarked that past approvals with the Old Mill development did require a traffic study if right turns onto Berry Rd. were allowed from the Old Mill property. It was the consensus of the Board to have the Township Manager research and gather information concerning possible improvements to Berry Rd. and the Berry Rd./Manifold Rd. intersection 9. REPORT FROM SOLICITOR Township Solicitor Makel had nothing to report. Page 4
10. REPORT FROM SECRETARY / TREASURER Township Manager Stanick reported the following reports and correspondence have been received between May 22 and June 9, 2017: Reports: a) Financial Monthly Report May 2017; b) Fire Department Monthly Report May 2017; c) Public Safety Department Monthly Report May 2017 (refer to Agenda Item 6); d) Citizens Library Profit & Loss Statement January - April 2017; and e) Washington-East Washington Joint Authority Financial Statements for fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017. Correspondence: a) Letter dated May 26, 2017 from Rice Energy, Inc. inviting Township Supervisors to Rice Energy s Sixth Annual Marcellus Mania on June 17, 2017 at the Greene County Fairgrounds; b) Letter (w/o attachments) dated May 30, 2017 from Pole Star submitting a permit application to drill the proposed Three Musketeers South pad (North Bethlehem Township) on behalf of Rice Energy, Inc; c) Letter (w/o attachments) dated June 1, 2017 from Range Resources advising of a lateral modification to Eakin Sandra 11420 (1H-5H, 11H, 12H) well in Somerset Township; f) Letter (w/attachments) dated June 5, 2017 from Range Resources advising of a lateral modification to Baumel Unit 7H in South Strabane Township; g) Email Dated June 8, 2017 from Range Resources providing an update on the Munce Ridge Well construction; and h) Letter received on June 10, 2017 from the Burnfield Family thanking the Township for its support and contribution to benefit the Nathan Burnfield Memorial Fund. He also reported the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will meet next on June 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Additionally, he noted the construction of the Munce Ridge well pad is almost complete and it is anticipated the air rig will be brought on site in August. 11. COMMENTS FROM SUPERVISORS Mr. Mazur commented about the use of Narcan and its costs. Ms. Zipko stated she attended Community Day. She commended the band, Blended Reality on their performance. She noted she received a lot of positive feedback regarding the event. The Fire and Police Departments were in attendance and were big attractions. Mr. Keisling stated he saw a lot of cars at Community Day, but not a lot of people. He cautioned having an event between two rain days as the Township would still have to pay the event participants if it were cancelled. Mr. Weber stated the comprehensive planning process is on track to finish by fall and it is anticipated the draft plan will be submitted to the Township Planning Commission and the Washington County Planning Commission by September 1, 2017. Page 5
Mr. Moore remarked of hearing reports from residents who are mistreated at Park and Recreation Council meetings. He stated civil discourse is encouraged with reasonable behavior. 12. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Zipko moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weber. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brandon J. Stanick Township Manager Page 6