Monthly Business Meeting

Gary Shultz motioned to accept the February 8, 2010 minutes with a correction to the spelling of Rich Frantz's name under Public Comment Period. Ken Hoover seconded and the motion carried 5:0.

Carol Eppley motioned to approve the interim bills as presented (carried 5:0). Ken Hoover inquired about the Enders Technology online backup fee, which Secretary Ferguson confirmed was an annual fee for PC backup discussed at the prior meeting. Ken Hoover then motioned to approve the unpaid bills as presented (carried 5:0).

Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported the Casner property, against which the Township holds a lien, will be listed for upset sale on April 13, 2010; a minimum purchase price of $10,000 would be needed for the Township to be paid in full, and the board decided to take no action until a third party purchases the property, at which point a nuisance letter would be issued. For Accu-Mold, the board approved SALDO modification waivers for utility easements, storm water management, and boundary survey (5:0), then granted conditional approval to the Accu-Mold plan contingent upon completion of specified items in K&W's March 4, 2010 memorandum (5:0).

Justin Kuhn of K&W Engineers asked the board whether to retain the stand-alone Floodplain Ordinance or incorporate it into the Township's SALDO. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky and K&W's Tom Wilson both recommended incorporation into the SALDO, which would subject it to Tri County Planning Commission review. Carol Eppley motioned to incorporate the Floodplain Ordinance into the SALDO and the motion carried 5:0.

Dale Shoop presented a $1,385 estimate from Walsh Contracting for well-house repairs at the Park including replacing block, framing, roof, and installing a locking door; approved 5:0. The board voted 5:0 (Gary Shultz opposing) to transfer a dusk-to-dawn PPL light account at the Park into the Township's name until electric service is completed. The annual Spring Clean-Up was scheduled for May 14–15, with tire collection included after a motion to exclude tires failed 1:4. Regarding Fire Company piping that would connect to a PennDOT pipe, Justin Kuhn noted the Township would assume maintenance liability; further discussion with Tom Wilson of K&W was deemed necessary before proceeding.

EMC Charlie Bisking requested a pre-signed Declaration of Emergency Disaster form for timely submission, with verbal board approval required before use and formal ratification at the next public meeting. The HARA recreational contribution of $37,620 was noted as due by April 1. Chairman Ken Bechtel was directed to obtain a letter of collateralization from Susquehanna Bank for funds exceeding the $250K FDIC limit, to be reviewed by Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky. Chairman Bechtel proposed an informal grant procedure requiring board notification before pursuing grants; Linda Stopfel noted her seven years of volunteer grant work totaling nearly $1 million and mentioned a potential DCNR park development grant with a September 1 deadline. On Treasurer's bonding, after extensive discussion about Dave Hoover's obligations, Gary Shultz motioned to notify Dave Hoover he must provide his own bonding going forward and reimburse the Township for the period March 8–August 1, 2010; the motion carried 4:1 with Linda Stopfel abstaining.

Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky confirmed the proposed amendments to the Mountain Road Vehicle Size Ordinance had been properly advertised. Linda Stopfel motioned to adopt the ordinance as amended, and it carried 3:2 with Chairman Ken Bechtel and Ken Hoover opposing. The ordinance was designated 2010-1 and ordered incorporated into the official ordinance book.

Mark Reed and Randy Paul were appointed to the Planning Commission (5:0). Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky noted Randy Paul's engineering firm would require him to recuse himself from any projects where he submitted plans. Terms were realigned to expire at year-end: Bob Artman (December 31, 2010), Fred Ford and the vacancy term (December 31, 2011), and Mark Reed and Randy Paul (December 31, 2012); carried 5:0.

Linda Stopfel recommended sending letters to State Police Sgt. Amarillo regarding safety concerns over tractor trailer traffic on Peters Mountain Road, as well as to Representative Sue Helm and Senator Piccola who has been in discussion with PennDOT on the issue. Resident Corinne Gelnett noted that GPS services often route traffic over the mountain as the shortest route. Secretary Ferguson was asked to generate the correspondence.

Linda Stopfel confirmed via email that the Township received the Tree Grant. The next step is for the State Forester to meet with George Kotkiewicz to inspect the proposed sycamore trees for the project.

The board voted 4:1 (Linda Stopfel opposing) to pay off the park loan using funds from the matured CD. The board then voted 5:0 to earmark remaining 2010 Comcast Franchise Fees for a capital improvements account. Carol Eppley motioned to have Treasurer Dave Hoover investigate reinvestment options for the remaining CD funds, targeting a CD maturing on or before December 31, 2010 (carried 5:0). Chairman Ken Bechtel noted the MidPenn Bank CD maturing April 27 would need reinvestment consideration at the next meeting.

Halifax resident and professional archaeologist Dane Snyder offered to perform archaeological excavations at Fort Halifax Park at no charge. Carol Eppley and Linda Stopfel noted that DCNR requires a Master Site Plan to be completed and approved before any activity on park grounds, including excavations. Extended discussion ensued about whether the sycamore tree planting in PennDOT's right-of-way would also require Master Site Plan completion; Justin Kuhn recommended contacting PHMC for guidance on proceeding before the plan is finalized.

Gary Shultz proposed setting parameters for locking in pricing from an alternative energy provider to achieve cost savings on electricity. Linda Stopfel motioned to authorize Gary Shultz to act on behalf of the Township in securing a favorable price, but the motion died for lack of a second.

Gary Shultz recommended developing an Ethics Policy applicable to all who work for or serve on behalf of the Township. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky noted that not all Township representatives (e.g., Planning Commission members) are subject to the state ethics law, and suggested at minimum extending its provisions to all who serve. Secretary Ferguson was asked to contact PSATS for a sample ethics policy the Township could use as a starting point.

Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported that American Tower appealed their tax assessment and agreed to a 21.4% reduction, recommended for acceptance by all taxing authorities. The tax impact to the Township would be roughly a $60 reduction in current-year fire and real estate tax collected, plus approximately $60 in retroactive refund to American Tower for the prior year. Gary Shultz motioned to accept the settlement (carried 4:0), and Solicitor Warshawsky agreed to execute it on behalf of the Township.

Chairman Ken Bechtel reported that Bob Stout requested a $1,000 donation from each municipality served by the Fire Company for repairs and updates to the HACC training facility; the Fire Company itself committed $1,000. Linda Stopfel motioned to donate $1,000 over five years at $200 annually from 2010 through 2014. Gary Shultz seconded and the motion carried 4:0.