A special Board of Supervisors budget meeting was held on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 commencing at 9 a.m. Chairman, Mr. Hensel called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisor Mr. Reynolds and Supervisor Mr. Taylor via telephone connection. Also present was Mr. Walters, Township Manager, Chris Herr, Township Accountant and members of the community.
The moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance were waived.
Mr. Herr stated that he took the current year actuals in the sewer account and estimated what next year would look like. He projects $280,000 loss, not taking the sale of the system into consideration.
In the general fund, Mr. Herr added a police vehicle for $30,000 and put a lap top and projector for the emergency coordinator and $2,500 for cameras at the park. Liquid Fuels will have money coming in but there is no roadwork yet for 2018. Line painting has $2,000 in the budget for approximately 9 miles of road. Mr. Taylor feels he needs about $4,000, which may be more than needed, but can put the balance toward next year. The line painting is contracted out and Mr. Hensel stated that on Washington Lane, Valley Township pays for their portion.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to have the line painting done before winter. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Herr gave the budget detail anticipated cash balance as of 12/31/17 as follows: General Fund- $658,537, Liquid Fuel-$72,700, Park Fund- $64,641, Landscaping -$55,706, MS4 Inspection- $13,774, Act 209 Fund- $360,414 and Capital Reserve Fund-$693,735. The proposed balance for 2018 is $1,919,506.
The Sewer Account has anticipated cash at 12/31/17 of $194,563,89 with a 2018 anticipated loss of $285,600, bringing the balance to a negative $91,036.11 on 12/31/18 without a minimum rate increase of 10.87%.
Mr. Reynolds feels that on the police budget there wouldn’t be much change hiring another full-time police officer. The number of part-time officers will decrease. Sergeant Imhoff stated the goal is to have coverage at night time one to two times a week. Sergeant Imhoff stated that any new hire would have to start at ground zero as far as the pension plan is concerned. After 3 years the Township receives state aid there-after. It may be enough to cover the Township contribution to the pension plan. Mr. Reynolds stated he would like to hire 2 full time officers. Mr. Hensel stated that the hiring procedure would need to be worked on. Sergeant Imhoff stated he has already talked to Chris Gerber about the hiring procedure.
Mr. Taylor stated that he feels he is being left out of the Executive Sessions and not being notified when they are being held. Mr. Reynolds said that he would not be left out and need to talk to the attorneys on how to handle an Executive Session.
Chief Ranck has for the Board’s approval two Police Policies. He has an Internal Affairs Policy and a Criminal Investigation Policy. The Internal Affairs Policy has to do with criminal investigation of officers. There was no information given to the Board so they want to hold off on approving this policy until copies are given out. The Criminal Investigation Policy is a criminal justice information system to check people out and fingerprint checks.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve the Criminal Investigation Policy described by Chief Ranck. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hensel stated that people who live at 109 Hilltop Road wants to put a pole barn out behind their house. This will not create any water run-off, but it is mandatory that they have a stormwater maintenance agreement recorded with the county and approved by the Township.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to approve the Stormwater Maintenance Facilities agreement for 109 Hilltop Road. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Taylor has put in a request to be placed on the Township Health Insurance Plan per Article VI, Section C of the Second -Class Township Code. Mr. Taylor will be placed on the insurance on November 1, 2017.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, for Mr. Hensel, Mr. Walters, Mr. Lowry, Herb MacCombie, and Jamie MacCombie to attend the CATO 2017 Fall Conference and dinner at Mendenhall Inn. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting, “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynolds, to make a donation to the Parkesburg Library in the amount of $1,500. With there being no questions from the public, the Board voting, “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hensel stated the Fireman’s relief distribution of $23,498.39 must be made and the State mandated report must be completed and filed no later than November 24, 2017. Mr. Hensel wants to know what the needs are for both fire companies to determine who gets what part of the relief. Mr. Reynolds will talk to Sadsburyville Fire Company and have someone from Keystone talk to Keystone Valley. It will be discussed at the November 8th Board of Supervisors meeting. Mr. Hensel wants to be fair to each fire company and Mr. Reynolds wants the chiefs to work it out.
Mr. Hensel stated the Board has received a service proposal from Westwood Fire Company for their ambulance service. Mr. Reynolds stated that Keystone Valley made the statement that at the end of November when their contract expires that they are not sure they will honor mutual aid refuse to just contract for the ambulance.
The Westwood proposal is for Basic Life Support (BLS) Monday thru Friday
$40,000 year
$20,000 vehicle replacement
Mr. Walters will reach out to Keystone Valley for a proposal.
Mr. Taylor stated he does not want to replace a vehicle for Westwood, and some tax payers do not want Westwood to come to their house. It was stated in the minutes of Valley Township that they are hurting for vehicles and have very few if any volunteers on calls. Their services are bad and will get someone hurt. Mr. Taylor states that he is the Emergency Coordinator and was not notified that the Township was talking to Westwood. Mr. Taylor would not want Westwood with some of the things they do.
Mr. Reynolds wants to get a proposal from Keystone Valley. He wants to stay with an ambulance that is close. Mr. Reynolds feels that Keystone Valley is waiting on the election to see who will get into office.
Mr. Taylor would like the Township to purchase a hand mower with a grass catcher on it to mow the grass strips on the Highway. Mr. Hensel stated that a commercial sit-down mower with a blade blocker would do the grass and the sign post would have to be done with a trimer. Mr. Taylor stated that they will see what they can come up with. Mr. Reynolds stated the police can fun interference while they are mowing and make it safe.
With there being no further business, Mr. Hensel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reynold 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