A special budget work session of the Board of Supervisors was conducted on Thursday, November 8, 2012 commencing at 9:00 a.m. Chairwoman, Ms. Silvernail called the meeting to order. Present were Supervisors Mr. Greenfield and Ms. Horan, Township Engineer/Zoning Officer, Mr. MacCombie, and Township Accountant, Mr. Drozd.
The moment of silence and pledge of allegiance were waived.
Mr. Drozd stated he would start with the proposed police options. If the police go to a 24/7 schedule, there will need to be an increase in the tax millage. Ms. Silvernail stated the Township is considering making the Chief of Police a full time position. Mr. Drozd stated that Chief Groce gave him numbers for surrounding area Chief’s salaries and Mr. Drozd calculated a salary of $80,500 a year. Besides the Chief being full time, there will be 2 full time officers and a part-time secretary. Ms. Silvernail stated that the salary amount for Chief of Police is pretty high, more research should be done. Ms. Silvernail stated that the 24/7 police schedule could possibly be put on hold until the 2014 budget. Sergeant Ranck advised Ms. Silvernail not to wait too long for the 24/7 scheduling of police because crime figures are up and the department is a lot busier now.
Ms. Silvernail stated the Fire Company Consolidation will take additional funds.
Ms. Horan stated that if the Board of Supervisors has to raise taxes, they need statistics. There has been no tax increase in many years.
Ms. Silvernail stated the Road Department’s Collective Bargaining Agreement was adopted at the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 7, 2012 and the budget has to adjust for that, and also for hiring a winter person if necessary. Ms. Silvernail stated Brian Gathercole offered his services for the winter. Ms. Silvernail stated that the Road Department should conduct an inventory of all items in stock as this will be a valuable tool in determining what is needed in supplies for the coming year. Ms. Silvernail re-iterated that the contract states there will be no overtime.
Ms. Silvernail stated the office staff has not had a raise in salary for two years. Ms. Silvernail would like to increase the salary for the office staff by 3%. Ms. Silvernail stated that with the Pennsylvania American Water situation, there will be a need to hire a part-time office staff person at approximately 80 hours a month; 50 hours a month on sewer billing duties and additional work if needed. Ms. Silvernail asked Sergeant Ranck to put together a list of secretarial work to be done in the Police Department and evaluate for a part-time secretary.
In going over the comparisons for the proposed general fund budget for 2013, Mr. Drozd stated there has been a drop in income on the plumbers and contractors registration fees for the Township due to the state taking over registration. There has been no rental of the old Township Building as anticipated. The Township Engineer and Solicitor have not raised their fees for the year 2013. Workers Compensation insurance will increase by 5% and other insurance an additional 3% increase.
Ms. Silvernail stated that subcontract services for the Road Department will have to be eliminated due to the terms of their contract. The snow blower will also be eliminated and the 2012 International Truck will be put on hold.
Ms. Horan stated to take the security camera off the budget for the park. Sergeant Ranck stated that his softball team uses the park annually and he asked if the field could be redone bringing it up to the standard it should be. Each year grass grows in closer to the playing area. Sergeant Ranck asked if there was any way this item could be placed in the budget. Ms. Silvernail stated to put $2,000.00 in the budget for ball field repair.
Mr. Drozd stated that as of now, the employee portion of the Health insurance is taxed. Mr. Bob Ward from Whitford Insurance Company will do a presentation to the employees as to having the portion remain taxed or change it to nontaxable income. Ms. Silvernail stated that a memo should be sent to each employee and a memo to the labor lawyer.
Mr. Drozd stated the Sewer Budget for 2013 contains an increase in the usage rate per 1000 gallons from $9.50 to $13.00. The Flat rate will remain the same. Mr. Drozd stated there will probably be a sewer rate increase in 2014 because of the PAWC rate increase. Mr. MacCombie stated the increase for PAWC will be $8.66 per 1,000 gallons in 2013, and will increase each year. Ms. Silvernail stated to send a letter with the invoice explaining why this has happened with PAWC. The residents can pretty much bet on a rate increase yearly. This increase was mandated by the PUC for PAWC and the Board of Supervisors cannot change this fee.
Mr. MacCombie stated the communitor at the pump station in Stottsville can be repaired again or a new one purchased for $30,000.00. Mr. MacCombie suggests the Board purchase a new one. Mr. MacCombie stated that if the Board wants a new figure for tap in fee costs, he can give them that number.
Ms. Silvernail stated that as it stands now, the Township will be changing District Justice locations. Sadsbury Township will be going to Honey Brook District Court. Ms. Silvernail suggested that a meeting be set up will District Justice Cabry concerning collections of debt for the Township.
Ms. Silvernail stated the final budget should be ready by December 1, 2011 and be on file at the Township Office for 30 days for inspection by the public before adoption.
Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Ms. Horan to have the next budget work session advertised to be Monday, November 26, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
With there being no further business, Ms. Silvernail made a motion, seconded by Mr. Greenfield, to adjourn the meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Shank
Assistant Secretary