Chairman Dennis Richards called the regular meeting to order at 5:00pm 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, Brian Schrader, Dan Senft and Mark Bucci, Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer, William Barbin Solicitor, and six (6) visitors.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR AGENDA ITEMS AND PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
Mr. Richards 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. Richards stated everyone had copies of the July 11,2022 regular meeting. He asked all Board members to read the minutes. Mr. Richards asked for a motion to approve the minutes presented. Mr. Gdula made the motion, second by Mr. Senft. With all in favor, motion passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
After discussion, Mr. Richards stated the Treasurers Report was accepted as read. The General Account Fund showed revenues received totaling $44,066.03, expenditures of $ 77,374.22(check # 32492 to #32539) and a balance of $830,531.99. The Street Light Account Fund showed revenues received of $1,925.00 and expenditures of $4,532.28(check #1616 to #1617) and a balance of $31,756.22. The Fire Protection and Fire Hydrant Fund showed revenues received for the hydrants of 690.00 and protection of $1,654.39 and expenditures of $41,375.01(check #1330 to #1332) and a balance of $38,634.70. The State Liquid Fuels Account Fund showed revenues of $63.07 in interest, and expenditures of $0.00(check#--) leaving a balance of $353,636.73. The American Rescue Plan Account showed revenues of $920.82 in revenues, and expenditures of $4,951.90(check #015 to #016) leaving a balance of $117,956.28.
CORRESPONDENCE: See email from Adam Sherlock from PennDOT; discussion about Locust Street work and possible motion to approve resolution and agreement for traffic signal analysis for FH Drive/Locust Street. The Board discussed having the traffic signal analysis done and resurfacing that is going to be done on Locust Street next year and what would happen there if light was put in. Mr.Barbin said it would be permanent and traffic signal maintenance falls on the municipality. The Board took no action at this time.
OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Richards asked if the Board had any old business they would like to discuss. None was forthcoming.
NEW BUSINESS:
Payment of the Bills: Mr. Richards stated all Board Members have a copy of the bills presented for payment totaling $83,064.73 and asked them to take a few minutes to review the bills before calling for a motion to approve payment of the bills. Mr. Senft made the motion to pay all bills. Mr. Gdula seconded this motion. With all in favor, motion passed.
The bills are as follows:GENERALFUND: AdamsCroyleRecAuthority…..5,000.00,AmericanAutomotiveSolutions….1,000.00,American Legal…..152.04Amtrust..4,552.00,B.SmithLaw…..420.00,CarmansTires….92.15,Comcast….790.87,Conemaugh……70.00,CrystalPure….42.80,EadsGrp…..27,629.14,EmploymentPartners…17,863.08,FisherAuto….348.42,FHMA…126.00,FWF…..174.00,GleasonBarbin…..768.94,GarrettLimestone….2409.14,Greens….56.60,HRI,Inc….8,941.49,Keystone19.72,MemorialChevy….798.36,NAPAAutoParts….777.84,PATurnpike….54.60,Penelec….574.69,PitneyBowesGlobal…..202.89,PitneyBowesPurchasePower….100.00,ReighardMachine….375.00,RelianceStandard….792.92RPMSigns…17.99,SamsClub….109.60,ShanaGrow…300.00,TheTireShop….620.00,ThomasAuto….278.79,Trapuzznos….211.99,UPMC…44.00,USCleaning….583.00,Verizon..269.73,WBMason…..96.21,WindberAgway….69.99,WindberStone…1,478.82. The State Liquid Fuels Fund: None. The StreetLightAccountFund: REA….114.00, Penelec….4,609.84, ATGenFund….57.75. The Fire Hydrant and Protection Fund: ATGenFund….49.63, ATGenFund….20.70. The American Rescue Plan Account Fund: None.
Mr. Richards asked for a motion to approve annual donation to the Rec Authority. Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With all in favor, motion passed.
Mr. Richards asked for a motion to approve purchase of 2 First Aid Cabinets and one small mobile kit for road (see attached email price quotes from Cintas). Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With all in favor, motion passed.
Discuss letters of interest for open position on Planning Commission and then any possible motions to appoint new member. After short discussion, the Board decided to let the Planning Commission review the three letters of interest and then recommend to the Board one for appointment to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Richards asked if the Board had any other new business they would like to discuss. Nothing more was forthcoming.
PUBLIC GENERAL COMMENT PERIOD:
Etta Albright with League of Women Voters of PA about Fix Harrisburg issue. She explained about the League of Women Voters being a non-partisan group that came out of Women’s Suffrage. She said about Harrisburg; about how in state legislature current legislative rules allow a few partisan leaders in positions of power complete control over which bills get a vote; should be bi partisan; should be fair and just process. Mr. Richards had a question; asked if they have gone to state representative,senator,etc. She said yes; and also mentioned Health Care Safety; staffing issues right now and gave sheet that explained that is an example of a bill about this staffing issue being blocked or not considered. Mr. Richards mentioned when we at township need help/assistance with something we go to our state representatives. Albright said that is good for you as a township; that is what it should be a collaboration. Ms. Albright asked Board to consider signing petition either online or physical copy in support of these issues. Mr. Schrader said something about the secretary doing that… and Mr. Richards said that no that would something to be done on an individual basis. Ms. Albright said she leave the Board with the information to look over and consider signing petition in support then check back.
Joe Barnouski here on behalf of Tessa Williams about discussing building permit denial and then any needed motions. Mr.Barnouski here representing his daughter; sold her 30 acres on Strip Road with intent for her to build a home on the land. He said she tried going the stick-built route but with lumber today; it didn’t work out. She found and ordered a manufactured home (double wide). He said building codes sent denial saying acreage is in middle of three different zoning areas where manufactured is not allowed; it says to come to Board to either grant exception or change zoning to agricultural; he said is here for advice/guidance on what can be done. Mr. Richards mentioned it not being allowed in any of those zoning areas; that the Planning Commission updated the ordinance, and we had public hearings at which there was no objections. Mr.Barbin said recently we changed property on zoning map; but we were able to that because one of the zoning areas bordering the property allowed that. If we changed Ms.Williams property to all agricultural, it would be spot zoning which is illegal in Pennsylvania. He said option he suggests if we want it work is to do a zoning amendment to the language under the Conservancy (S) District to allow one single residence either stick built or manufactured home on no less 20 acres provided manufactured home is built on full foundation. Mr.Barbin said that change would allow wherever Conservancy is on zoning map. He told Mr.Barnouski that when a property is in two or more zoning districts the owner can choose which one it is. But none of the 3 this property is in allows it that is why he said about doing zoning amendment to language. Discussion continued. Mr. Bucci explained difference between manufactured and modular homes after Mr. Schrader asked Mr.Barnouski where his daughter had ordered the home from. The Board told Mr.Barnouski to go to Planning Commission later this week with this issue and then if they are acceptable of zoning amendment we can proceed with change. Mr. Bucci provided him time and date of meeting. Mr.Barnouski also brought up a place in road near the S curve near Krestars that needs smoothed out or something put there. Mr. Richards said that is a state road but if the road department passed by the area; they may put something there.
Mr. Colt McKelvey who lives on Forest Hills Drive and has McKelvey Law Office up the hill here about natural gas. He said he has been trying to get natural gas on his side of Forest Hills Drive. He said he has called gas companies (Peoples/Keystone) but has not received a call back. Mr. Richards said when Representative Rigby was here two weeks ago; he is trying to help get gas to Mr. Paluch’s greenhouse on Forest Hills Drive. Mr. Bucci said that we have been dealing with this for years.; he said a few years ago he went around Old Luther development with forms to get people who were interested in Peoples gas and got them back and submitted them; no movement forward. He also said all the contacts he had numbers for back then are no longer there. Mr.Senft said if he remembers correctly that it was about money to get gas line from hill by Em’s up to that side of Forest Hills Drive or have Keystone come up Palestine. Mr. Bucci asked Mr.Paluch what they said it would cost to bring up to his greenhouse. Mr.Paluch said it changed every time; said in beginning was around 80,000 then up to 300,000. Mr. Bucci agreed price is astronomical. Mr. McKelvey asked if calling Rigby’s office directly would help; the Board said yes give him a call. The Board said this has been ongoing for years and that if the gas company brought line up, they even said they would allow them to go along township right of way. Mr.Paluch mentioned places down in St. Michael area getting gas line down there so quickly; how that happened so fast. Mr. Bucci said he said he thought the businesses Mr.Paluch mentioned all contributed to the cost to get the line down there. Mr.Paluch said yes all we want is a call back to know where things stand. Mr. Richards said one of the supervisors would try to get in contact with the gas companies to see if anything can be done.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Richards stated with no other township business to conduct he would entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Senft made the motion, second by Mr. Schrader. With all in favor, motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 5:34 PM.
Respectfully Submitted: Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer