Newton Township Board of Supervisors’ Meeting

February 9, 2004

Board Members in Attendance:  Lee Jamison, Gary Martenson, John Shaffer, John Pardue and T.J. Kerrigan

Board Guests in Attendance:  Joseph Sileo, Solicitor; Joseph Stanco, CEO; Francine Miller, Secretary/Treasurer

7:34 P.M. -- General Meeting Called to Order after an executive session to discuss ongoing litigation matters concerning Woodhaven Crest.

Public Input:  Mr. Ernie Preate of 1231 Country Club Road came before the board to ask for assistance in getting his mailbox placed a few feet around the corner from where it is now because of the dangerous conditions on Country Club Road.  Mr. Preate has not been getting his mail since the snow has nowhere to go now because of the high embankment.  The postmaster states that the only way to get the mailboxes moved is that PADOT has to order the post office to do so.  Mr. Preate also feels the speed limit is too high.  Supervisors decided that the Township would send a letter to PADOT to ask that they look into this further.

Approval of Minutes:

Motion by Kerrigan to accept the minutes of our reorganization and general meeting on January 5, 2004, special meeting on January 20, 2004, special meeting on February 4, 2004 and the work session on February 4, 2004, 2^nd by Martenson.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Treasurer’s Report:  Bills were signed and discussed.  Motion by Shaffer to pay the bills presented for the Township, 2^nd by Jamison.  Motion voted, all in favor.  Motion by Martenson to pay the bills presented for the Rec Center, 2^nd by Kerrigan.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Announcements: 

Correspondence: Correspondence is available with the Secretary’s office during regular business hours for review.

Unfinished Business

Truck Bids:  Pardue explained that the truck bids were opened on February 4, 2004 at the work session and Gibbons Ford came in with the lowest bid and met all of our specifications for  $51,278.  A fourth bid was received from H.L. Stevens & Sons and was rejected for not having a bid bond and getting here too late because it was misaddressed.  Motion by Jamison to purchase the new F550 from Gibbons Ford for $51,278, 2^nd by Shaffer.  Motion voted, all in favor.  Motion by Pardue to renege on Resolution 2004-1 due to not having a need for it since the truck was bid out, 2^nd by Shaffer.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Refuse Contract:  The surveys came back 310/yes and 112/no.  Public comments were David Kveragas states that we are making a mistake.  Phil Covalesky stated he believes that everyone in household should have been sent a survey.  Bill Striepeck thinks we should take the contract.  Motion by Jamison to continue the contract process for the five-year term, 2^nd by Shaffer.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Standing Committee Reports:  POSTED – Planning Commission Minutes, Recycling Report and Police Report.

Road Master:  Shaffer reports that the road crew has built up 24 hours overtime cleaning the roads for the last two weeks.  He also stated that he has not received any complaints and the road crew is doing a good job.

Planning Commission:  Scott Haan reported that the Planning Commission would be coming to the Board with a date in March for a joint special meeting to discuss some ordinance changes.

Recycling: Shaffer reminded everyone that the recycling is only on the first and third Saturdays of the month.  He also stated that we would make arrangements for cardboard recycling when the refuse contract is complete.

Rec Center:  Sandy LaCoe reports that the handicap restroom is complete and we paid out of packet $700, the remainder was on the grant.  The committee is working on fundraisers such as the golf tournament, ham and cabbage dinner on March 13, spaghetti supper in September and the jumble sale.  LaCoe also mentioned that Cindy Phillips will be leaving at the end of February and will need to hire someone to replace her.  Supervisors stated that the child abuse form and criminal background check should all be submitted together before they will vote.

Sue Sherman stated that the park plans are with Milnes Engineering for review.  She requested that the Board vote now on signing the necessary papers that will come for a grant through Mellow.  It will be an outright grant not a matching.  Motion by Pardue to sign the papers when they become available, 2^nd by Jamison.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Rec Committee recommends that the rents stay the same for the upcoming year.  Motion by Martenson to abide by the Rec Committees recommendation to not raise any rents, 2nd by Jamison.  Motion voted, Shaffer no, rest in favor.

CEO:  Stanco reported that he sent in the paperwork for the US Department of Commerce.  There were a total of twelve new homes put in Newton Township last year for a total cost of $2,322,325.00 and there were 152,000 additions.  Stanco requests the Township keep up dues to BOCA, now ICC, for $100.  Motion by Martenson to pay ICC the dues of $100, 2^nd by Pardue.  Motion voted, all in favor.  Stanco also spoke of the State looking at doing bridgework on Rte 307 and DEP is working with engineers concerning the issues on Valley View Drive.

Solicitor: Sileo reports that he sent a letter to Pascale, attorney for Milwaukee Cycle, last week and is awaiting for a reply.  Sileo is also looking at the refuse ordinance and reviewing an ordinance for reimbursement costs for the fire company.  The Woodhaven Crest PRD zoning map amendment is tabled until next month to be able to do some legal reviews.  Motion by Jamison to table the vote until next month after there is some investigation with Ned Slocum and Woodhaven’s lawyer, 2^nd by Martenson.  Motion voted, all in favor.

South Abington Police:  Township will have a personnel meeting with South Abington Police Department to discuss some concerns the Supervisors have.  Discussion will ensue as to when the coverage will start.

Public Input:

Gertrude Myer of Woodhaven would like to have the Department of Protection Agency involved in the Woodhaven Crest PRD issues and have the wetlands protected.  Supervisors stated that before any plans are finalized all agencies must review.  She also spoke of trailers on an empty lot that is of concern, Stanco to look into the matter.

Being no public input, motion by Shaffer to adjourn at 9:20 PM, 2^nd by Jamison.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted by Francine Miller