MAHONING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISOR’S MEETING

Monday, February 27, 2012

CALL TO ORDER:

John Wieczorek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Mahoning Township Building, 2685 Mahoning Drive East, Lehighton, PA 18235

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT:

John Wieczorek, Chairman; Franklin Ruch, Vice-Chairman; Bruce Steigerwalt, Supervisor; Linda Benner, Supervisor; Travis Steigerwalt, Supervisor; Thomas Nanovic, Solicitor and Natalie D. Haggerty, Secretary-Treasurer

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mark Ebbert, Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Co. Chief- Requirement of the application for the 2% loan is to have 20% liquid assets in our account. We are $23,000.00 short. We are requesting a two year advance in payments of the custom pumper.

MOTION

Franklin Ruch made a motion to transfer $23,000.00 from the Mahoning Township Fire Fund payable to Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Co. #1 for the first two year payments of the custom fire pumper. Seconded by Linda Benner. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

MOTION

Franklin Ruch made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2012 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Seconded by John Wieczorek. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Packerton Business Park Reconsideration of Waivers

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to grant waiver request referencing SALDO Section 99-10.G.(2)(b)(1)(a), minimum center line grade of .30%. Seconded by Travis Steigerwalt. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried. (Recommended by the Mahoning Township Planning Commission)

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to grant the waiver request referencing SALDO Section 99-10.G.(2)(b)(2)(c), minimum center line radii for a horizontal curve as designed for 25 mph speed limit and carry with it a line of sight of 240 feet in all direction. Subject to the County receiving Highway Occupancy Permit from PennDOT and subject to the seven requirements listed in Tim Edinger, Township Engineer letter of June 21, 2011. Seconded by Travis Steigerwalt. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried. (Recommended by the Mahoning Township Planning Commission)

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to grant waiver request referencing SALDO Section 99-17.A.1 and Table IV, twenty four foot paved cartway width with six foot gravel shoulders and bituminous surface East part to railroad track toward river. Seconded by Travis Steigerwalt. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried. (Recommended by the Mahoning Township Planning Commission)

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to grant the waiver request referencing SALDO Section 99-17.A.1 eliminating curbing. Seconded by Travis Steigerwalt. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried. (Recommended by the Mahoning Township Planning Commission)

MOTION

Franklin Ruch made a motion not to grant the waiver request referencing SALDO Section 99-17.A.1 elimination of sidewalks and barriers. Seconded by John Wieczorek.

ROLL CALL VOTE

John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, no and Franklin Ruch, yes 4-1 vote. Motion carried. (Recommended by the Mahoning Township Planning Commission a gravel walking path, option #3)

NEW BUSINESS

2003 Ford Crown Victoria-Open Sealed Bids

1. Bay Ridge Motors, Inc- 1869 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY bid of $225.00

2. Emergency Remarketing-8216 Mayfield Road, Chesterland OH 44026 bid of 781.00

3. Police Car Store, LLC-9 Cynwyd Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 bid of $800.00

MOTION

Franklin Ruch made a motion to table the bids received for further research. Seconded by Travis Steigerwalt. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried.

2012 CDBG Projects

MOTION
Franklin Ruch made a motion to list our 2012 CDBG Projects as Troxell Hill Resurfacing, North First Street Water Run off Issue and Paving of Lower Nis Hollow and portion of Dieters Hill. (Prioritize the projects). Seconded by Linda Benner. John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes; Linda Benner, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried.

NPDES Municipal Storm Sewer System Request for Waiver

Bruce Steigerwalt shared that the township currently has a waiver for the requirements of MS4 Stormwater Permit. The permit was issued in March, 2003 and is good for five years. They kept it steady with annual waivers, that is not the case anymore. By, September 14, 2012 we will have to submit a new application and or waiver request for a new permit that will be issued in March 2013. Does the township want to get the engineer involved and apply for the permit or find or determine with discussions with DEP about submitting a waiver request. This only affects a small portion of the township that is considered the Allentown segment of the urbanized area which is a narrow strip along the Lehigh River. The permit involves mapping out all our stormwater outfalls to the waters of the commonwealth and then depending on what streams and the quality of the streams would determine what we would have to do in conservation measures of treating waters or not . His understanding that all in Carbon County has received waivers. Where does the Board want to go with this? John Wieczorek will share with Township Engineer Tim Edinger.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to approve and place on file the correspondence dated February 27, 2012. Seconded by Linda Benner. John Wieczorek, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes, Linda Benner, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried

***NANOVIC LAW OFFICES, THOMAS NANOVIC

RE: COPY OF LETTER SENT TO CARBON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION ADVISING ADOPTED AMENDMENTS TO MAHONING TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING BUILDING HEIGHT

***PA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, EARL FRALEY

RE: EXEMPTION FROM SEWAGE FACILITIES PLANNING – NOSAL FARM

***HOLLY HEINTZELMAN ATTORNEY AT LAW

RE: MAHONING TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY SEWAGE CAPACITY

***NANOVIC LAW OFFICES, THOMAS NANOVIC

RE: MAHONING TWP/WALMART

***NANOVIC LAW OFFICES, THOMAS NANOVIC

RE: POLE BUILDING/BIDDING REQUIREMENTS

***PSATS NEWS BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 2012

RE: GOVERNOR SIGNS HISTORIC MARCELLUS SHALE ACT

***NANOVIC LAW OFFICES, THOMAS NANOVIC

RE: LOWE’S HOME CENTERS/TRAFFIC SIGNAL

***NANOVIC LAW OFFICES, THOMAS NANOVIC

RE: MAHONING TOWNSHIP/LOWE’S

Comment: Anything further with Lowes?

***BRUCE STEIGERWALT

RE: MAHONING POLE BARN DESIGN FEE ESTIMATE FROM T&M ASSOCIATES

***DELAWARE & LEHIGH NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR, DENNIS SCHOLL

RE: EMAIL WITH REGARDS TO TREES FOR LOCK 13

***FETCHCO, INC., GEORGE FETCH

RE: RESCIND PREVIOUS SUBMISSION OF SUMMIT RIDGE MINOR SUBDIVISION

MOTION

Franklin Ruch made a motion to rescind the previous submission of Summit Ridge Subdivision Plans dated December 20, 2011. Seconded by Bruce Steigerwalt. John Wieczorek, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes, Linda Benner, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 5-0 vote. Motion carried.

***MAHONING TWP PLANNING COMMISSION

ACTION TAKEN FEBRUARY 12, 2012

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Road Committee

Þ  Pole Building

Bruce Steigerwalt and Franklin Ruch shared information with regards to consideration to construct a pole building. Summary of costs for proposed pole building were submitted and base bid break downs were given for two buildings one from Pioneer and the other from Shirk. The cheaper of the two proposals was from Shirk, quoted at $268,356.00. Bruce Steigerwalt shared that he met with Linus from Shirk Pole Buildings on February 24, 2012 to discuss questions regarding submitted proposal. Based on the comparisons Bruce and Frank recommend going with Shirk. Travis Steigerwalt shared his ideas of constructing a cheaper commercial pole building or modular for admin and police department. The monies in our fund were designed for a new township admin and police facility. Heated discussion took place between Supervisors Franklin Ruch and Travis Steigerwalt that was broken up by gavel.

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to pursue ideas and concepts presented by Supervisors Bruce Steigerwalt and Franklin Ruch. Seconded by Linda Benner. John Wieczorek, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, no; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes, Linda Benner, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 4-1 vote. Motion carried.

Police Committee

Þ  Travis Steigerwalt brought up the rescinded policies that the Officer in Charge, Audie Mertz withdrew. He shared that he did not feel that Audie had the authority to do so.

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to rescind and withdraw all police policies and ask office staff to copy and forward all to the Board for review and approval. Seconded by Linda Benner.

ROLL CALL VOTE

John Wieczorek, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, no; Bruce Steigerwalt, no, Linda Benner, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 3-2 vote. Motion carried.

MOTION

John Wieczorek made a motion to continue with keeping Audie Mertz as Officer in Charge until the Chief returns to work full time. Seconded by Linda Benner

ROLL CALL VOTE

John Wieczorek, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, no; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes, Linda Benner, yes and Franklin Ruch, yes 4-1 vote. Motion carried.

OFFICIALS:

Travis Steigerwalt

Þ  Pole Building his option

Þ  Police policies rescinded whose going to review them? John Wieczorek advised to have office staff copy and distribute to supervisors.

John Wieczorek

Þ  Radios and the agreement to participate

Þ  Executive session for personnel and legal

Þ  Carbon County Tax Committee update

Thomas Nanovic

Þ  An executive session was held February 22, 2012 for litigation.

Robert Slaw

Þ  Reminded the supervisors that the planning commission is very blessed with individuals that are highly skilled with building and development and if you want to sound things off of us; we are here to help.

Þ  John Wieczorek advised Robert that we need copies of approved planning commission minutes.

Þ  Never use contract from a supplier user your own

LeRoy Leibenguth

Þ  Vandling Hearing coming up

Þ  Dog issues within the Mahoning Manor

ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION

Linda Benner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 PM. Seconded by Bruce Steigerwalt. Franklin Ruch, yes; Travis Steigerwalt, yes; John Wieczorek, yes; Bruce Steigerwalt, yes and Linda Benner, yes. 5-0 vote. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Natalie D. Haggerty

Secretary-Treasurer

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