Chairman Dennis Gdula called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 pm in the conference room of the Adams Township Municipal Building.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
ATTENDANCE:
Those in attendance were Supervisors Dennis Richards, Dennis Gdula, Dan Senft and Brian Schrader and Mark Bucci, Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer, and five (5) visitors.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR AGENDA ITEMS AND PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
Mr. Gdula stated now the Public has the right and the opportunity to comment on any item from the previous meeting minutes. None were forthcoming.
MINUTES:
Mr. Gdula stated everyone had copies of the January 2,2024 regular meeting minutes and reorganization minutes. He asked all Board members to read the minutes. Mr. Gdula asked for a motion to approve the minutes as read. Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With four in favor, motion passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
After discussion, Mr. Gdula stated the Treasurers Report was accepted as read. The General Account Fund showed revenues received totaling $95,808.00, expenditures of $60,929.44(check # 33526 to #33559) and a balance of $701,620.70. The Street Light Account Fund showed revenues received of $1,905.75 and expenditures of $220.92(check #1682) and a balance of $17,674.45. The Fire Protection and Fire Hydrant Fund showed revenues received for the hydrants of $567.00 and protection of $1,360.88 and expenditures of $0.00(check #--) and a balance of $27,980.61. The State Liquid Fuels Account Fund showed revenues of $0.00 in interest, and expenditures of $0.00(check#--) leaving a balance of $147,012.87. The American Rescue Plan Account showed revenues of $0.00 in revenues in interest, and expenditures of $6,568.00(check#045) leaving a balance of $42,923.53.
CORRESPONDENCE: Letter from Scott Roberts PennDOT District 9 Bridge Engineer about local bridge safety inspections.
Letter from Caitlyn Lusk from County Conservation about Path of Flood Race; discussion. Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve usage/access of township roads. Mr. Richards made the motion, second by Mr.Senft. With rest in favor, motion passed.
Letter from Jennifer Blanchetti ,Adams Township Tax Collector resigning effective immediately on January 16,2024. Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to accept resignation. Mr. Richards made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With rest in favor, motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Gdula asked if the Board had any old business they would like to discuss. None was forthcoming.
NEW BUSINESS:
Payment of the Bills: Mr. Gdula stated all Board Members have a copy of the bills presented for payment totaling $39,202.15 and asked them to take a few minutes to review the bills before calling for a motion to approve payment of the bills. Mr. Bucci made the motion to pay all bills. Mr. Senft seconded this motion. With rest in favor, motion passed.
The bills are as follows:GENERALFUND: AmericanLegal….152.04,A.Butterworth….20.00,AT&T….169.43,Axon….2,208.11,Barclays….232.00,Bergeys…..377.84,Blues….216.00,B.SmithLaw….600.00,CambriaCtyBldgCodes….110.00,Cintas….60.47,Comcast….526.61,CrystalPure….49.80,DHeisers….96.00,D.Richards….26.49,EadsGrp….522.00,E.Pentrack…60.00,GoodTire….2,403.15,Higmark…278.25,J.Cordek…20.00,J.Nibert….60.00,Tribune….233.10,Keystone…..1,032.62,Longs…137.00,LutherPMiller….4,417.48,MathesonGas….239.94,NAPA….1,096.61,PATurnpike….9.20Palyocsik….19.96,Penelec…1,034.93,PAOneCall….7.40,P.Helsel…60.00,PitneyBowesGlobal….202.89,PitneyBowesPurchasePower….200.00,R.Cortese….60.00,Rays…..187.93,R.Rusnak….80.00,RelianceStandard…932.40,R.Lehman….60.00,R.Young…60.00,SamsClub….218.70,1stSummit….1,250.00,TireShop…540.00,ThoasAuto….341.48,UPMC…76.00,Verizon…493.03,VISA…..816.60,W.Seese….20.00,WindberStone…524.62.The State LiquidFuelsFund:AmericanRockSalt….8,645.98. The StreetLightAccountFund: Penelec4,676.59, REA…127.60, AT General Fund….57.17. The Fire Hydrant and Protection Fund: Highland…1,396.89, SouthwestCCWaterAuthority…1,700.00, AT General Fund…40.83, AT General Fund….17.01. The American Rescue Plan Account Fund: None.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve participation in DGS Costars statewide contract for Sodium Chloride 2024-2025. Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Richards. With all in favor, motion passed.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve Michael Gelles Subdivision and Land Merger as approved by Planning Commission.Mr.Bucci made the motion, second by Mr. Schrader. With all in favor, motion passed.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve Sam Carpenter Subdivision as approved by Planning Commission. Mr. Richards made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With all in favor, motion passed.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve Gallaher Subdivision as approved by Planning Commission. Mr. Richards made the motion, second by Mr. Senft. With rest in favor, motion passed.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve Percy Helsel Adjoining Land Merger as approved by Planning Commission. Mr. Richards made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With rest in favor, motion passed.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve Pat Replogle preliminary/final subdivision/land merger as approved by Planning Commission contingent upon approval of Cambria County Planning Commission. Quick discussion: Attorney Barbin said to approve contingent upon County Planning Commission approval. Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With rest in favor, motion passed.
Discussion about resumes from Wendy Ladika and Holly Bodolosky for Adams Twp. Tax Collector; and any needed motions. Mr.Gdula said we need to meet with/interview these two applicants. He said we need to set up interviews within the coming week or so; discussion continued Attorney Barbin said we have 30 days from letter to appoint someone; if not in those 30 days, then goes to vacancy board which has 15 days; if not appoint there goes to county. Mr.Gdula said wait until after interviews to appoint; if we need to hold special meeting to do so before our next meeting; Attorney Barbin said yes you could do that; would need to post ad in paper, on your board, and online 24 hours ahead.
Discussion on letter from Planning Commission about Yeager property on Forest Hills Drive. Mr. Bucci said the Planning Commission was talking about the configuration over there; obstructs traffic; makes it hard to see; parking of vehicles, and dumpster. He said PC said codes dropped ball on dumpster; that it should be on concrete pad and enclosed; have fence around it and have buffer between their property and house next door. Mr. Bucci said he will go over and talk to Mr. Yeager. One of the supervisors mentioned that Chief Moss had already talked with them about the parking. Mr. Bucci said he will stop and talk with Yeager’s about these issues.
PUBLIC GENERAL COMMENT PERIOD: Katie Respet here about Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at corner of Forest Hills Drive and Palestine Road; says it has been abandoned since April; she is interested in acquiring it to make into a taxable business. She said she has done research on it; because it was a congregational church; no one person or church owns it; congregation does, and they are dead. She said she talked with an attorney, and he recommended to talk with township. She said she found three transfers of ownership; most recent from 1997; she said last preacher is Miller who lives on Topper Road; let her in to see it; said inside is bad (rodent infested,mold,etc). would be a lot to rehabilitate. She is asking what she can do to acquire it. Attorney Barbin answered her; said churches are hard; they are tax exempt so it would not go up for tax sale. She said Miller was just paying utility bills for there which were in his name. Someone asked if that would constitute ownership. Attorney Barbin said no; would need more than that to show control/ownership of property. He said that they had a church in Johnstown that was similar; he said what they did there was to condemn it. He said his suggestion is to contact Renee Daly at Cambria County Redevelopment Authority and see if they are able to condemn it. Said they are able to condemn and give it to a business; after condemning he said they acquire it and post ad for reuse for interested parties and they can do condemnation with deed since she cannot find a deed. He said the township can condemn but only for something for public use; whereas the county can do it for this has more leeway. He also said you have plan for this property so county may be more apt to let you acquire it; also recommended talking to Commissioner Rager. The discussion turned to zoning; Mr. Bucci said it is in A/R 1 zone and said there are only certain businesses/commercial that are allowed in that area. Attorney Barbin said yes look at the zoning ordinance to see what is allowable there.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Gdula stated with no other township business to conduct he would entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Richards made the motion, second by Mr. Schrader. With all in favor, motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 5:29pm.
Respectfully Submitted: Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer