WAYNE TOWNSHIP MEETING
JULY 19, 2010
The Wayne Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on July 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wayne Township Municipal Building, with David Calhoun, Thomas Chitwood and James Maguire present.
Also in attendance: John and Cindy Noltee, Ardell Gardner, Donald White, Doris Fritz, Rod Stabley, Pete Smeltz, Lorraine Shemory, Rodney Shemory, Richard Scheesley, Emergency Management Coordinator, Mary and Jim Prince, Carolyn Hanna, Carol Goodman, Helen Goodman, Dale Johnson, Rebecca Raymond, Peg Johnson, Jim Johnson, Russ Johnson, Harold Heaton, Zoning Officer Gary Smith, and Paul D. Welch, Jr., Esquire
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to approve the minutes for both the special meeting and regular monthly meeting held June 21, 2010 and the minutes for the special meeting held June 29, 2010 as submitted, seconded by Supervisor Chitwood, the minutes were unanimously approved.
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted, seconded by Supervisor Chitwood; the Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved.
Police Report:
Supervisor Maguire presented the police report submitted by Police Chief Winkleman, noting officers worked 64.25 hours in June for a total of $3,212.50 due for police services with the Township receiving $199 from fines.
Public Participation:
Residents did not present any items for discussion.
Engineer’s Report:
Township Engineer Dennis Norman was not present for the meeting.
Old Business:
Donald White of the Recreation Committee made the following requests on behalf of the Committee:
1. Approval to purchase two 50’ x 9’ sun screens for the tennis court at $345 each for a total of $690 from Shoemaker Fencing.
2. Proposal from Linda Roller of The Liberty Book Shop to appraise the Bittner Book Collection for a contract price of $700 to $900, not to exceed $900. Linda has offered a 25% discount so the maximum cost would be $675 for the appraisal.
Mr. White also asked the status on Zindel Park and the volleyball court at the playground.
A discussion was held and it was noted that Dennis Norman has the information on the volleyball court and as for Zindel Park; the surveying work is almost complete. The Board is continuing to work with City Officials with regard to the shooting range.
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to approve the Recreation Committee’s request to purchase two sun screens for the tennis court from Shoemaker Fencing, seconded by Supervisor Chitwood, the motion was unanimously approved.
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to enter into an agreement with Linda Roller of The Liberty Book Shop to appraise the Bittner Book Collection, seconded by Supervisor Chitwood, the motion was unanimously approved.
Supervisor Maguire reported that some clearing work has been done on the PPL right of way and suggested hiring Dunnstable Township to mow the right of way. The cost for the boom mower and operator is $75 per hour. He suggested that Dunnstable Township be hired to mow along the Mountain Road right of way and along the River Road.
Supervisor Chitwood made a motion to hire Dunnstable Township to mow the PPL right of way, along the Pine Mountain Road and along the River Road. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Maguire and unanimously approved.
A discussion was held regarding the age and condition of the Township’s boom mower as well as the Township’s Grader.
It was the consensus of the Board to advertise the grader on Municibid.com and in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. No decision was made on the disposition of the boom mower.
New Business:
The Supervisors received a donation request from the Clinton County Women’s Center. Supervisor Maguire made a motion to donate $200 to the Women’s Center, seconded by Supervisor Chitwood, the motion was unanimously approved.
The Board discussed concerns with the proposed Individual Worker Agreement with Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc., for the Summer Work Program and it was the consensus of the Board not to enter into an agreement for employees at this time.
Chairman Calhoun called an executive session to discuss a legal matter at 7:25 pm and the regular meeting was called back to order at 7:35 p.m.
Attorney Welch presented subdivision plans on behalf of Robert Whitesel noting that the Wayne Township Planning Commission for July had been canceled. He added that the meeting should not have been canceled as the Planning Commission is required to meet once a month according to the Second Class Code. It was the agreed to contact the Planning Commission about rescheduling the July meeting. He noted that the subdivision plan was reviewed and approved by the Clinton County Planning Commission.
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to approve the subdivision as submitted pending approval by the Wayne Township Planning Commission, seconded by Supervisor Chitwood, the subdivision was unanimously approved.
Supervisor Maguire was contacted by Turnaround Business Development Group, Inc., offering grant research/grant writing services to the Township. Supervisor Maguire said the cost to hire the company would be between $1,500 and $4,000 to research and submit grant applications to various foundations with the possibility of obtaining grants up to $1,000,000 to make renovations to Zindel Park. After a brief discussion it was the consensus of the Board that the Township Secretary and Township Solicitor research the company and possible benefit to the Township.
Supervisor Maguire reported that PSATS is requesting municipalities to adopt a resolution opposing legislation to eliminate townships, cities and township governments in Pennsylvania and explained that the legislation provides that all governing be done on the county level.
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to adopt Resolution 07.19.10 opposing HB 2431 which would change the Pennsylvania Constitution and establish the county as the basic level of local government and opposing SB 1357 establishing a statewide boundary commission to review and make conclusions to the General Assembly for the consolidation or annexation of municipalities. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Chitwood and unanimously approved.
Emergency Management Coordinator Rick Scheesley requested approval to attend a seminar titled Volunteer Fire, Emergency Services & Local Government: Building Partnerships for a Stronger Future to be held October 6, 2010 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, in his capacity as Emergency Management Coordinator. The cost for the seminar is $95.
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to approve Mr. Scheesley’s request to attend the seminar on behalf of the Township and that the Township reimburse him for the $95 registration fee. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Chitwood and was unanimously approved.
Supervisor Maguire warned residents to be alert for groups opposing gas drilling activities stating that they are basically environmental terrorists and could pose a threat to the community.
A discussion was held on the possible purchase of the Betroblen property or the former Hunter’s Archery property. The Township would plans to purchase property for a multi-purpose building to be used as the Municipal Building, Museum, Senior Center, etc. The asking price for the Betroblen property is $340,000 and the Township has hired Brent Fish of FISH Real Estate to appraise the Hunter’s Archery property.
Joe Johnson commented on the Betroblen property being a waste area.
Supervisor Maguire said that is untrue and there has been an environmental study performed on the Betroblen property.
Supervisor Chitwood said he believes the Township is required to provide a percentage of land within the Township for recreation and currently all the land being utilized for recreation in the township is leased.
Rod Stabley asked about the length of the agreement between the Township and the Pennsylvania Fish Commission for the boat launch Alan Gardner Memorial Park.
Chairman Calhoun said he did not know the length of the agreement with the Fish Commission but the Board would look into it.
Joe Johnson asked who is enforcing the weight limits in the Township.
Solicitor Welch explained that Dave Winkleman is not certified to enforce weight limits but the State Police are willing to assist him in enforcing weight limits.
A discussion was held regarding the possibility of widening Shoemaker Road and about local trucks using Township roads.
Ardell Gardner told the Supervisors that the Pine Mountain Road needs work.
The Board also discussed their decision to continue to use elected Tax Collector, Elsie Peter, to collect the Keystone Central School District Real Estate Taxes.
Solicitor Welch explained that basically the School District does not want to deal with local tax collectors and are not paying them to collect the school real estate taxes and other municipalities send their tax payments to a lockbox in Hermitage. Wayne Township is only one of a several municipalities in Clinton County that uses an elected tax collector.
Supervisor Maguire said the Township pays for tax collection services for the convenience of residents.
Supervisor Maguire made a motion to approve the invoices as submitted; the motion was seconded by Supervisor Chitwood and was unanimously approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Darlene S. Macklem, Secretary
