Newton Township Board of Supervisors’ Meeting

March 8, 2004

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

Absent:  Gary Martenson

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

7:35 P.M. -- General Meeting Called to Order with Pledge of Allegiance

Public Input:  Mr. Pat Swift of Upper Maple Drive addressed the Board with a request that Upper Maple Drive be paved and spoke of the poor conditions of the road.  A petition was given to the Board with the knowledge that the only two residents of the road that did not sign were Imdorf and Miller, otherwise, everyone else that lives on the road did sign.  Shaffer explained that at the budget meeting it was discussed that the Township plans to do extensive road work this year if all goes well and it was also discussed that Maple Drive be one of the roads for paving.

Mr. Ron Krafjack commended the Board on their decision of going with the refuse contract and questioned why the Township is looking into additional police coverage for the Township.  Pardue explained that it is coverage on a part-time basis when Chief Reese is not on duty.  The South Abington Police will patrol sporadically at no set times and be available for emergencies when the Chief is not on duty.

Mr. Dave Kveragas asked about the refuse ordinance.  Pardue explained that the ordinance was being looked at and we should be passing it before the end of March. 

Approval of Minutes:

Motion by Kerrigan to accept the minutes of the February 9, 2004 conditional use for Dubas, the general meeting of February 9, 2004 and the work session of March 3, 2004, 2^nd by Jamison.  Motion voted, all in favor.

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

Announcements: 

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

Unfinished Business

Dubas Conditional Use:  Stanco requested that the Dubas come to the meeting with the measurements of the parking that is available at their property for the business they have requested to have with the kennel club.  It was discussed that it is required that the business have one parking space per 200 sq. ft. of building area.  Each parking spaced is to be not less that 10 ft. wide and 12 ft. long, therefore, requiring the Dubas have 25 parking spaces.  After much discussion, it was decided that the Supervisors will approve the boarding of the horses contingent on the obtaining of the driveway permits from PADOT and give them an extension for final approval for one month to give them time to decide whether they would want to continue the process and go through a variance to be allowed to have fewer parking spaces for the type of business they are proposing with having the kennel club use their facility.  Motion by Jamison to extend their time limit on the kennel club portion of their conditional use for one month and if they don’t come back with the month, it will be denied, 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 is working on the dirt roads with the many soft spots and checking the culverts.  They are also doing small repairs on the equipment.  We are waiting on the delivery of a new Ford F550.  The Ford F350 will be going out for bid and we will be looking at purchasing a large truck come winter.

Planning Commission:  Scott Haan reported that the Planning Commission helped people with questions and they sent a property owner for a variance because of not meeting the minimum lot size requirement of the township ordinance.

Recycling: Shaffer reported that we took in 3 ½ tons of commingled and paper recycling last month and thanked everyone for their help on recycling days.4

Rec Center: 

Park Project:  Motion by Jamison to put the project out for bid based on the timeline discussed of advertising in the paper on March 15 with a public pre-bid meeting on March 22.  The bids would need to be in by 3PM on April 5 at which time the bids would be opened at a public meeting and awarding would take place at the Supervisor’s meeting April 12, 2^nd by Pardue.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Application for new hire:  Sandy LaCoe submitted an application for Vanessa Finch to hire at the Rec Center.  Motion by Shaffer to hire Vanessa Finch to start after favorable background checks are received, 2^nd by Kerrigan.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Committee seat:  Sandy LaCoe submitted a written request to have Diane McDonald replace the vacant seat of Leonard Rafalko.  Shaffer requested a copy of Mr. Rafalko’s resignation letter.  Motion by Shaffer to accept the recommendation of the Rec Committee to have Diane McDonald to finish the term of Leonard Rafalko (December 31, 2005), 2^nd by Pardue.  Motion voted, all in favor.

CEO:  Stanco reported that there will be a variance hearing for MSA, Inc. concerning a half-acre lot on Lisa Lane.  The hearing is scheduled for April 5, 2004, secretary to contact zoning board members for confirmation that they will attend the hearing.

Solicitor: Sileo reports that he spoke with Greg Pascale concerning Milwaukee Cycle and that he will be here at the next work session. Decision of the Supervisor’s is that if he does not show at the work session then that will be it, no more chances.

Sileo also reported that he working on the refuse ordinance, reimbursement of emergency services ordinance and an amendment to the wetland delineation ordinance.  Motion by Jamison to approve the costs of advertising for the two ordinances and one amendment when they are ready, 2^nd by Kerrigan.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Abington Area COG:  Jamison discussed that the meeting was held last Thursday concerning the traffic survey for a bypass in Clarks Summit.  Also, Dan Cohen, telecommunications lawyer, will have a sample contract ready for review by each Township soon.  There will be a speaker at the April 1 meeting to discuss the Uniform Construction Code.  The idea for a skate park is still alive and they will be holding a benefit concert.

New Business:

Shaffer commended the fire company for their work as volunteers and told of their purchase of a new rescue truck.  He stated that since the fire company is in need of equipping the truck that he recommends that the Township give them a donation of $2,500 for purchasing equipment.  Shaffer made motion to donate $2,500 to the Newton Ransom Volunteer Fire Company for purchasing equipment for the new Rescue, 2^nd by Kerrigan.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Pardue noted that there was a meeting with a PEMA official concerning the issues that Jeff Thompson has brought up at past meetings about the storm damage to his property back in September 2003.  The PEMA rep stated that there are no monies available for work on private property.

Scot Haan, Planning Commission Chairman, asked that the Supervisors give some more consideration to the request a few months ago from the Planning Commission to have an ordinance that would require an additional perc site on lots requiring two per lot.

Public Input:

Being no public input, motion by Jamison to adjourn at 9:40 PM, 2^nd by Shaffer.  Motion voted, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted by Francine Miller