A special budget meeting of the Board of Supervisors was conducted on Friday, September 23, 2016 commencing at 7:00 p.m. Chairman, Mr. Hensel called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisors Mr. Taylor and Mr. Schuibbeo, and members of the community.
Mr. Hensel reported the Board met in Executive Session this evening before the meeting.
A moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance were observed.
Mr. Larry Maulo, the Township Auditor, presented the Board with the results of the 2015 audit. He reported on the state of revenue and funds balance from the general fund, sewer account, Act 209 and Liquid Fuels. The administration is living within the budget of the General Fund; however, lack of payments have increased the debt in the Sewer Fund. It is recommended to take another look at collections for delinquent trash and sewer account receivables. One thought would be to contact a collection agency to handle the collections. The charges for the sewer fund are $1,216,303 with operating expenses of $833,666 and a total income of $262,619. Mr. Maulo gave the Township a clean report and thanked Tammy Russell and the accountant, Chris from Mr. Drozd’s office.
Mr. Hensel stated to Mr. Maulo, that maybe next year the audit for 2016 could be completed by June.
Mr. Hensel stated that the wage increase for Tammy Russell will be increased by $2.00 per hour due to her 6-month review. Mr. Schuibbeo stated he is happy with Tammy’s work and Mr. Taylor feels the same.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Schuibbeo, to give Tammy Russell a $2.00 an hour raise due to her 6 month review. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hensel stated he would also like to give Linda Shank a $1.00 per hour merit raise for her work in maintaining the Township office.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor. To give Linda Shank a $1.00 an hour merit raise. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Russell asked that some topics to consider would be changes in tax rates, rate increases for employees, new employees for the road crew or office, projects for 2016 and 2017, road work, maintenance building update, Barkman Landfill, recodification, and any planning projects scheduled for 2017. Ms. Russell also asked the status of the Act 537 and the reimbursement when this is finished, and the usage for the Act 209 money.
Mr. Hensel would like to have Skiles Road repaired in 2017, and the Board would like to hold the line as much as possible to avoid a tax increase. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Schuibbeo agreed that the position and salary of the Township Manager position should be put in the budget, in case one is hired. The administration office will still need to hire a part-time person at 20 hours a week. Mr. Hensel would like to look into collection agencies for collection of sewer and trash delinquent accounts; including Portnoff to come and do a presentation to the Board of Supervisors. Chris from Mr. Drozd’s office stated that he saw collection agencies work well in other municipalities.
The basketball court ($41.600) the fence ($13,800) and the camera security system ($4,500) for the park will all be put on the 2017 budget.
The Sadsbury Village Enhancement Project payment of $518,880 will be done in 2016. The Developer who agreed to pay $52,000 for sidewalks, will pay as the bills come in.
Mr. Hensel would like to buy the ground next to the Township Building for the maintenance garage. The cost could be around $180,000 for the land.
Mr. Hensel stated that with the beginning of Phase 3 of the Town Center, the developer will begin to pay $100,000 a year for additional police officer.
The Act 537 could stretch into next year, depending on the completion of the zoning for the Town Center. Once the zoning is done, it will be incorporated in the SALDO, and the county reimbursement will come when the project is completed.
The Lafayette Square Phase 2 should be rolled over to next year.
Ms. Russell stated we are trying to get the codes department room cleaned out so that the police department can be walled off from the rest of the building. Could there be a bathroom constructed back in that area? Mr. Hensel stated when the garage is constructed, a bathroom could possibly be put in at that time.
Ms. Russel asked about more security at the main desk by placing bullet-proof glass in the window. Mr. Hensel stated to get pricing and it will be discussed later.
Chief Ranck discussed the proposed budget for 2017 and would like to hire 2 additional full-time officers. He would like to promote from within the department. The department is due for 1 new car in 2018 and 2 cars in 2019. Chief Ranck would like to have the SPCA Contract fee taken out of their budget, as they do not have anything to do with the transport of animals, as they cannot transport animals in the police cars. The SPCA comes to pick of the animals.
Dave Reynolds thinks the Township should get away with the part-time officers who don’t want to work, and get full-time police who are responsible and want to do the job.
Mr. Hensel stated they want the most coverage we can get without raising taxes, and the Board wants the best for everyone.
Mr. Schuibbeo gave cuddos to Mr. Hensel for negotiating with Mr. Gill, the attorney for Sadsbury Commons, and taking the police officer donation per year from $50,000 to $100,000.
The Public Works department is having the tailgate conveyor put on the new Mack truck. It will shoot out the side things such as modified rock, dirt, loose stone and gravel. They have budgeted in 2018 a truck to replace the International. There is not a plow for the 09 truck. The used plow can be used on the 09 truck until the new truck is received. The labor to put the plow on the truck is $1,000. The money from FEMA from damage from the blizzard can be used to put plow on the truck.
Mr. Taylor made a motion seconded by Mr. Schuibbeo, to have the plow put on the 09 truck for $1,000. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Simmons does not foresee any more changes to the budget.
The Parks Committee would like to have a new basketball court, baseball and basketball fence guards, and a scoreboard. Pricing was received for two different types of scoreboard: for the hanging numbers at $850.00 and LED $3,000. They would also like the installation of security cameras. Mr. Hensel recommended that the Committee check with Jamie MacCombie to see if they have any engineering plans for the basketball court and the only fencing budgeted for is the basketball court. Ms. Maurio stated the plaque at the park is in such disrepair. To get a cast iron plaque to recreate the old plaque would cost $250.00. There will also be a bench for Mae McGuigan with her plaque on it and it will be placed in the park. They would like to install baseball dugouts but have not investigated pricing. Mr. Hensel suggested talking to Mr. MacCombie about the dugouts.
Keystone Valley Fire Department presented their 2017 budget proposal with includes a 10% increase for the 2017 payment from municipalities because of 10% increase for insurance costs. This would put the yearly cost for Sadsbury Township at $43,602.
Sadsburyville Fire Company represented by Dave Reynolds, has their budget a work in progress. There is no room for capital projects as the only income would be from the Township. One of their engines is 18 years old and eventually will need to be replaced. The budget will be ready after their meeting on the 2nd Monday of the month in time for the next budget meeting.
The date for the next budget meeting is October 28, 2016 at 9 a.m.
Mr. Simmons presented to the Board of Supervisor the logo for the Township to identify it from other Townships. The Buck Run and the Sadsburyville Hotel are the main features.
With there being no further business, Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Schuibbeo, to adjourn the meeting. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted
Linda Shank
Secretary