Rush Township Municipal Building
Hometown, PA 18252
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors
The monthly meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 6:00 o’clock p.m. by Chairman Stephen Simchak. Those in attendance were Vice-Chairman Shawn Gilbert; Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville; Attorney Robert Yurchak; and Corporal Duane Frederick. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. did not attend the meeting. Approximately twenty one residents and one reporter were also in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited. Chairman Simchak welcomed Amanda Sandlin, who is summer intern for the Times News.
Attorney’s Business
Attorney Yurchak mentioned that a public hearing was held at 5:45 pm this evening for public comment on the ordinance scheduled for adoption this evening. He also noted that an amendment was made to the Fox Subdivision Plan. Attorney Yurchak stated the Board of Supervisors need to conditionally approve the amendment to the subdivision plan subject to the Planning Commission on Thursday night reviewing it and approving it. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to conditionally accept the plan subject to the Planning Commission approving it. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Motion carried. Attorney Yurchak stated the next motion to be made is for an ordinance that was duly advertised and ready for adoption regarding the vacating of part of Oak Lane. Vice-Chairman Gilbert made a motion to accept vacating Oak Lane and adopt the ordinance. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. The motion carried. Attorney Yurchak read the resolution regarding accepting the deed of dedication from the owners to re-establish Oak Lane elsewhere. Vice-Chairman Gilbert made a motion to adopt the resolution that was read by Attorney Yurchak. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. The motion carried. Attorney Yurchak stated a motion was needed to execute the quit claim deeds for the property being transferred. Vice-Chairman Gilbert made a motion to that effect. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion, carried.
American Water Services Report
John Teijaro read the American Water Services report as of August 18, 2009. Vice-Chairman Gilbert asked TJ if the auto-dialers are finished on all the pump stations. Mr. Teijaro stated that Tide Park is not finished. Mr. Teijaro told the Board he is getting figures on what it will cost to run a landline for approximately 275 feet. Vice-Chairman Gilbert made a motion to accept TJ’s American Water report. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion, carried.
Police Report
Corporal Duane Frederick read the police report for the month of July, 2009. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept the police department’s report for the month. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion, carried. Chairman Simchak told Duane several written complaints needed to be addressed and followed up by a report.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the minutes of the previous meeting July 21, 2009. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion, carried.
Treasurer’s Report
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept the treasurer’s report as of July 31, 2009. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert asked Ms. Conville to read the balance for each account. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Approval of Current Township and Sewer Bills for August, 2009
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the current township and sewer bills for August, 2009. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Municipal Reports
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept all municipal reports. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion, carried.
Correspondence
Key areas noted by Ms. Conville in the correspondence file for the month were as follows:
1. Packet from Schuylkill County Office of Economic Development in reference to the CDBG program.
2. Correspondence from Arro – zoning and building permits, code enforcement issues.
3. Letter from Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew Attorneys at Law
4. PSATS News Bulletin
5. Letter from Pro Design Plus
6. Letter from Penn State Cooperative Extension
7. Two letters from Cerullo, Datte & Wallbillich
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept all correspondence and place it on file. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Old Business
New Business
1. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to grant the request to accept the bid for the repository sale of parcel #25-10-17 as per the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau notice. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion, carried.
2. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to adopt the job description for Police Corporal. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion, carried.
3. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the request of Michael Kiernan for a refund of a sewer permit fee paid. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Marion Lazur asked for an explanation of this matter. Chairman Simchak explained Mr. Kiernan purchased a building permit in 2007 and paid $5,000.00 for a sewer permit. Mr. Kiernan is not building a house and all permits have expired. The motion carried.
General Purpose Public Participation
1. Marion Lazur – wanted to know why there are service charges listed for each fund on the treasurer’s report for the month of June and if our accounts are receiving interest. Ms. Lazur noted the charges added up to $360.86 for the month. Ms. Lazur also questioned why the Tamaqua Associate’s account is still open. Ms. Lazur stated this account was for sewer inspections only. Mr. McMullen stated this account is for inspections and that there was not any money escrowed for the sewer. Ms. Lazur stated she will bring the letters and show them to Bill McMullen.
2. Roland Harper – 41 Hilltop Road – complained about some properties at this location. One owner is raising chickens,
One is operating a garage out of his house and one house is without a roof for a while now and they are not hooked up to a sewer system.
3. Melanie Weicoksy – 39 Hilltop Road – also complained about the neighborhood. She presented a petition to the Board with sixteen signatures and also had pictures.
4. William Boyer – wanted to be briefed on the meeting that took place with the owner of Bucheit Logistics and municipal officials. Vice-Chairman Gilbert explained the operation of the plant and stated there is no alarm for concern. Mr. McMullen gave a brief report to the residents present at tonight’s meeting. Cathy Schimpf also attended the meeting at the battery warehouse and noted her findings.
5. A resident wanted to know if East Penn used to be DEKA
6. Joe Shamonsky – expressed concerns that the Fire Chief of Hometown is not trained in hazardous materials. Chairman Simchak suggested getting in touch with the Emergency Management Coordinator for the County, and the fire chief for their input.
7. Joe Stanek – noted that we have enough hazardous sites in the township now.
8 John Schickram – also concerned about used batteries being stored at the warehouse. He noted that a letter from Frank Zukas stated component parts and the finished product would be stored at the warehouse. Mr. Schickram also suggested the Board should use some of the money in the Building Fund to pay down the loan debt on the building.
A discussion followed about what would be done if an emergency situation arose at the battery warehouse. Vice-Chairman Gilbert stated that at any time the township can go over to the warehouse and do a site inspection. Chairman Simchak stated that the groundwork has begun to protect everybody in the township and the surrounding areas. Vice-Chairman Gilbert suggested contacting the owner and also have a representative from DEKA to attend the next meeting.
Supervisor’s Response Period
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:40 o’clock p.m.
Transcribed and Attested
Terri Conville, Secretary/Treasurer