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 Gdula Dan Senft , Brian Schrader and Mark Bucci, Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer ,Solicitor William Barbin, and ten (10) visitors.
Mr. Richards was absent.
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 August 26,2024 regular meeting minutes. He asked all Board members to read the minutes. Mr. Gdula asked for a motion to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Bucci made the motion, second by Mr. Schrader. With all in favor, motion passed.
Ed Cernic, County Controller here to present county’s Citizens Financial Report for 2023 which features Adams Twp. Mr. Cernic said every year they publish a condensed version of their audit from previous year and they usually feature one township and one borough. This year’s township is Adams Twp. He also gave an overview of rest of report which features county retirement fund, last year’s revenues and expenses ,debt, and county portion of real estate taxes, and county liquid fuel.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
After discussion, Mr. Gdula stated the Treasurers Report was accepted as written. With all in favor, motion passed. The General Account Fund showed revenues received totaling $76,188.10, expenditures of $114,500.76( check # 33982 to #34012) and a balance of $869,002.11. The Street Light Account Fund showed revenues received of $0.00 and expenditures of $5,408.40(check #1711 to #1713) and a balance of $32,536.53. The Fire Protection and Fire Hydrant Fund showed revenues received for the hydrants of $0.00 and protection of $0.00 and expenditures of $30.78(check# #1414 to #1415) and a balance of $37,449.47. The State Liquid Fuels Account Fund showed revenues of $1,091.67 in interest, and expenditures of $4,874.87(check#844) leaving a balance of $259,231.86. The American Rescue Plan Account showed revenues of $1.28 in revenues in interest, and expenditures of $7,094.09(check#054 to #055) leaving a balance of $16,988.62.
CORRESPONDENCE: National Drug Take Back Day will be held on Saturday ,October 26,2024 from 10am to 2pm; two collection sites: Adams Twp. Police Department 125 Mary Drive in Salix and Adams Twp. Fire Department #2 at 849 Locust Street in St. Michael.
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 $39,331.10 and asked them to take a few minutes to review the bills before calling for a motion to approve payment of the bills. Mr. Schrader made the motion to pay all bills. Mr. Senft seconded this motion. With rest in favor, motion passed.
The bills are as follows:GENERALFUND: Amtrust…..4,848.00,AT&T…..296.48,CambriaCtyBldgCodes…165.00,Comcast….975.56,Conemaugh….70.00,CrystalPure….42.80,DavidHeisers….98.00,E.Pentrack….60.00,FisherAuto….241.70,FHMA….132.00,Forsheys…119.99,gworks….2,536.00,Highland….78.66,Highmark….301.15,ImpalaMotors…1,004.64,J.Nibert….60.00,TribuneDemocrat….196.54,LongBarn….422.35,LutherPMiller….1,910.40,NAPAAuto….1.59,Penelec….925.00,PAOneCall…24.96,P.Helsel….60.00,R.Cortese….60.00,R.Rusnak…80.00,R.Webb…60.00,R.Lehman…60.00,R.Young….60.00,RussellStandard…4,730.00,SamsClub….205.301stSummit….7,022.00,Trapuzzanos….213.00,UPMC…77.60,USCleaning…905.00,VISA….220.45,WBMason…391.32.
TheStateLiquidFuelsFund:HRI…..1,598.19,WindberStone…436.80.
TheStreetLightAccountFund:REA….127.60,Penelec….5,173.98. The Fire Hydrant and Protection Fund: Highland….1,467.04 . The American Rescue Plan Account Fund: Lane….1,872.00.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to approve website upgrade and compliance quote; along with annual maintenance fee. Mr.Gdula said about trying to get three quotes; one answered us with quote, another answered said they didn’t have time to do it and other we placed multiple calls and we never received quote. Mr. Senft made a motion to approve quote from Innovative Tomato to upgrade website and make ADA compliant , second by Mr. Schrader. With all in favor, motion passed.
The Board will start the process of working on the 2025 budget process with the secretary-treasurer on Tuesday, September 17,2024 at 11:00am.
Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to award the garbage collection contract. Bids were received from Waste Management and Pro Disposal. After review, Mr. Bucci made a motion to award bid to Pro Disposal as they had lowest bid prices per quarter per year for five years starting in 2025 ,second by Mr. Senft. With all in favor, motion passed. Mr. Schrader asked Mr.Bellvia from Pro Disposal since this bid is for transitioning to the totes…what about residents that get yellow bags? Mr.Bellvia said dealing with this before with other municipalities; the smaller 35 gallon would be what they could use ; if not ; if they don’t want the 35 gallon that Pro Disposal would work with them and have them contact Pro.
Mr,Gdula asked for a motion to approve Camillius and Elizabeth Long Subdivision/Land Merger as approved by Planning Commission. Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Senft. With all in favor, motion passed.
Mr. Gdula asked for motion to approve James and Carol Moore Adjoining Land Merger as approved by Planning Commission. Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Bucci. With all in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC GENERAL COMMENT PERIOD: Vicki Hiteshew and Terry Ruparcic here about ambulance service for Mine 42. Mine 42’s ambulance service is serviced by Northern EMS which Conemaugh Township is absorbing/merging with theirs. Ms. Hiteshew said they are combining services; there no longer be a Northern EMS; will still be 24-7 ambulance coverage out of Windber.; gave proposal to Attorney Barbin ; said it is just a small portion of township that they service. Will not be called Northern or Conemaugh Township EMS ; still deciding on new name. Mr. Ruparcic talked about how Attorney Barbin helped their EMS when first established; are self-sufficient; and they are looking to do this by November 1 with the paperwork. Mr. Schrader said that 24-7 service is an important thing for the residents. Mr.Gdula about ALS/BLS ; and asked if their backups will stay the same. They said yes they should ; Mr.Gdula said he doesn’t see this being a problem ; will have Attorney Barbin review proposal and then put on next meeting if it’s okay.
Ray Papcunik here about paper alley on Old Luther Street by him; asking if we could vacate alley. Mr.Cortese, surveyor and Planning Commission member said that he had recently surveyed Mr.Papcunik’s neighbor’s property ;location of alley and length of it discussed; and process of vacating alley. Attorney Barbin had to leave early; so Mr.Gdula said Attorney Barbin usually drafts petition/document where Mr. Papcunik would be on it and all the adjoining neighbors and they all have to sign and have notarized and then vacated after okayed at our meeting ; it is split between them. But the key is everyone has to sign that is on that document to move forward. Mr.Gdula asked for a motion to authorize Attorney Barbin to prepare document for that alley. Mr. Senft made the motion, second by Mr. Schrader. With all in favor, motion passed. Mr.Cortese said to tell Attorney Barbin to contact him as he would have the information he would need for that since he did survey for neighbor.
Ken and Kim Golias here about follow up on property on Hill Street about water/stormwater runoff issue. Mr.Gdula said we did contact engineer Mr.Sewalk from Eads after the last meeting; he has one of the local engineers working on it; told Mr.Gdula he would contact the Golias’s after completing report. Mr.Gdula said if engineer does not contact them ; we would when we hear from engineer about this.
Mr.Cortese mentioned zoning map amendment for property on Peaceful Valley that Board okayed Attorney Barbin to proceed with at last meeting; he said Planning Commission has been telling residents to do curative amendments or do hearing. He said they looked and there are some other areas on zoning map that need corrected/revised that should be different zoning area( mentioned place along Oakridge Drive ,Baumgardner Rd). Mr.Gdula said yes ,he and Mr. Bucci looked at this the other day. He mentioned doing this zoning map amendment correction at the same time as the solar ordinance since the Planning Commission is close to finishing that; Mr.Cortese said can save money doing both at once and won’t be extra cost to those residents.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Gdula stated with no other township business to conduct he would entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bucci made the motion, second by Mr. Senft. With all in favor, motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 5:37pm.
Respectfully Submitted:
Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer