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Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – July 20, 2010

Rush Township Building
Hometown, PA  18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

 

The monthly meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chairman Stephen W. Simchak at 6 o’clock p.m.  Those in attendance were Supervisor Robert Leibensperger; Corporal Duane Frederick, Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville and Clerk/ Assistant Treasurer Marie Skripnek. Vice-Chairman Gilbert was on vacation and not present for this meeting. There were approximately twenty six people in attendance and one reporter present.   The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.

 

Chairman Simchak recessed the Monthly Meeting and opened up the Public Hearing for the Housing Rehabilitation Program. Ron Dillman, the consultant from ProDesign Plus PC, of Frackville gave a general overview of the program and answered questions from the public.  Mr. Dillman stated that Rush Township applied for and has received $20,000.00 through the Schuylkill County Community Action.  These funds will help the township now apply for $330,000.00 through the Home Improvements Grant.  Chairman Simchak stated Rush Township was the sole municipality of ten to twelve applicants awarded the money.  Mr. Dillman explained that homeowners must own and occupy the home to be rehabilitated for at least one year and meet the income guidelines.  The income limits often change, so residents should apply even if they think they are over the limit.  The property owner fills out a general application and will be screened for income guidelines, etc. by Pro Design Plus. You do not have to re-apply year after year. Simchak stated the envelopes will be put into a box and the office staff, Ms. Conville and Ms. Skripnek, will pull them and number them at a public meeting.  Homeowners are allotted between fifteen to twenty-five thousand dollars per house.  The $330,000.00 could do over about 15-20 homes.  Mr. Dillman noted that ProDesign is currently running seven or eight home programs right now.  He mentioned the state has a rolling application list and we review the list as we have the funds.   Mr. Dillman stated that the minimum occupancy is four years and a lien would be put on the property if the home owner walked away.  Then the money would eventually go back into the program.  Mr. Dillman stated that all utility fees owed to the township would need to be paid up to date in order for someone to be qualified for the program.  He noted that his fee will come out of the grant application money.  He stressed we would not have gone ahead to the next step if we did not get the funds from the county.  The loans would be forgiven after four years, promising the homeowner continues to live in the house that was fixed up.  If the property changes hands, the balance must be repaid to the township.  Mr. Dillman stated that no township money would be used for the loans or grants.

Public hearing for the housing rehabilitation program concluded at approximately 6:15 p.m.

 

Chairman Simchak convened the Township Meeting

 

Public Comment

  1. William J. Sanchez, Jr. wanted an update on an old complaint he filed about a property on Crest Street. Mr. Sanchez, Jr. stated that the property owner has passed away and the next step would be to see who is in charge of the estate to get the property cleaned up.  Mr. Sanchez, Jr. also asked what the letter is about addressed to WBRE-TV and if that will be public information. Mr. Sanchez, Jr. also wanted to know if the purchase of the 2011 Ford F-250 pickup truck would be replacing TJ’s sewer van.
  2. Mr. Thomas Murphy wanted to know when the maple tree in front of 51 Ardmore Avenue would be cut down.
  3. Marion Lazur inquired about who would be paying for the new sewer truck.  Ms. Lazur asked if interest would be included from the date of purchase in 2007 until 2011 on the agreement for the paying back of funds for the Fortunato property.
  4. Pat Tracey asked what has been done about the problem on the Caldonetti property.
  5. Joe Shamonsky wanted to know about the memo concerning DEP and how he could get a copy of it.  Ms. Conville read the memo to the file in its entirety concerning the demolition of the Fortunato property and the inspection by DEP.  See attached memo to the file as part of the official minutes.

Ms. Conville also read the letter in its entirety that Attorney Yurchak wrote to Mike Trim, Investigative Reporter for WBRE-TV in response to the news clips that aired about the township.  See attached letter as part of the official minutes.Leibensperger and Simchak both feel that our Solicitor should make a formal request to the District Attorney and FBI to find out how official documents with account numbers were taken out of the office from the Hometown Sewer Fund and the Hometown Sewer Investment Fund and shown on the television.    Mr. Shamonsky questioned the details in the memo that was read about DEP.

  1. Charlie Shamonsky asked if it is it legal to vote on items before the Board with only two members present for the meeting.  Mr. Shamonsky also wanted to know how he can get answers to questions he has about last month’s meeting and has some questions for the Solicitor.  He also has questions to ask the Solicitor.  Mr. Shamonsky asked what the Attorney discovered about the Dunn Agreement.   Attorney Yurchak stated that it is a twenty year contract between Rush Township and Mr. Dunn that began in 1995 and there are no provisions to terminate the agreement. Yurchak also noted there is a provision in the agreement that the Dunn’s would have the option to extend the agreement for another twenty years.  The only thing the Board can do is to add a reasonable increase in price at that time.  Mr. Shamonsky asked who signed the agreement.  Attorney Yurchak stated it was signed by Ronald Werner, Raymond Boyer and Remo Motroni.  Mr. Shamonsky also has concerns about the tractor trailers and about the no parking signs on Wyoming Street.
  2. Steve Behun commented on the Kahler Hill project and feels that the road is starting to fall apart.
  3. William Boyer asked the Board who will pay for the new sewer truck and why we could not have American Water Services supply a truck to the township under our sewer agreement with them.  Mr. Boyer inquired about the memo for office supplies.  In the memo to the file, Ms. Skripnek stated that Rush Township received a donation of filing cabinets, a projector, briefcases, tables and chairs, from Mrs. Carol Blaschak-Kahane of Lake Hauto, in memory of her late husband Solomon.
  4. Cathey Schimpf – asked why we had to purchase an F- 250 pick-up truck for the sewer department and if it would have a plow package.  She also asked for an update on the web page.

 

American Water Services Report TJ read his report for the month. A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve American Water Services report. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Gilbert was absent.

 

Police Department Report Corporal Frederick read the police report for the month.  He mentioned the first crime watch meeting was attended by five people.  The next crime-watch meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 4th at 6 p.m.  He also will be trying to have some community projects for the children in the fall.  Please submit your ideas to him about this.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept the police report as read.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Gilbert was absent.

 

Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept the meeting minutes of June 15, 2010.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Gilbert was absent.

Treasurer’s Report A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept the treasurer’s for June 30, 2010.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Gilbert was absent.

 

Approval of Current Township and Sewer Bills for July, 2010 A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the township bills and sewer bills for the month of July, 2010.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Gilbert was absent.

 

Municipal Reports A motion was made by Chairman Simchak to accept and place on file the municipal reports.  Supervisor Leibensperger seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Gilbert was absent.

 

Correspondence

  1. A county-wide burn ban resolution was approved by the Schuylkill County Commissioners on July 14, 2010.  The burn ban took effect on Friday, July 16, 2010 and will remain in effect for 30 days.
  2. A letter was received from TIDE signed by President Joe Urenovitch thanking the road crew for the excellent job they did in patching the potholes and cracks in the roads in the TIDE Industrial Park.
  3. A letter was received from High Mountain Dirt Riders thanking the township for letting them use the roads for the annual Enduro Race.
  4. Letter from PSATS about the future of the pension fund.
  5. Letter from David Sanko, Executive Director, noting the decreases in programs with the state budget.
  6. Letter from Mauch Chunk Trust listing the pledging requirements.
  7. Letter from the National Crippled Children’s Association.
  8. Email from Senator Argall noting that the senate unanimously approved the bill to fight blight. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
  9. PSATS News bulletin

10.  PIRMA Newsletter

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to place on file the correspondence for the month.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried. Gilbert was absent.

 

Attorney’s Business – Attorney Yurchak stated he did review the burning ordinance and also the one from the Borough of Tamaqua.  He feels there is no need to change ours at the present time.

 

Old Business –

  1. Memo to file (demo of property)
  2. Letter to Mike Trimm, WBRE-TV  written by  Attorney Yurchak
  3. Donation of office supplies – Mrs. Kahane
  4. Park donations received – Ms. Skripnek stated that Air Products graciously donated $5,000 earmarked for Ryan Memorial Park.  Present were Chairman Simchak and Supervisor Leibensperger.  Mauch Chunk Trust donated $ 200.00.  Other donations were received from Volunteers for Argall, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen W. Simchak and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Leibensperger.  Hopefully the township will continue to get more donations.  Simchak stated that donations will be used as seed money to apply for grants in these areas.

 

New Business

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to ratify the Rush Twp Fire Police assisting with Kovatch Employee Appreciation Day held on Saturday, July 10, 2010.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Gilbert was absent.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger for Corporal Frederick to attend a field training officer’s class, cost $160.00, November 8th thru November 11th, at the Harrisburg Area Community College, 8 am to 4:30 pm.   Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Gilbert was absent.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the purchase of a 2011 Ford F-250 4×4 truck for the sewer department from KME, financed thru Ford Credit, total price of $32,164.00.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Supervisor Leibensperger stated three things need to be done before the truck is given to TJ:  a log book for TJ, a letter sent to AWS about enforcing the log book and regulations, and a talk with TJ.   Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.   Gilbert was absent.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve Plan #232 Frederickson-Ansbach Final Minor Subdivision Plan as recommended by the Planning Commission.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.   Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion, carried.    Gilbert was absent.

 

Chairman Simchak adjourned the meeting at 6:50 o’clock pm.

 

 

________________________________________

Terri Conville

Secretary/Treasurer

Posted in Minutes | Comments Off on Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – July 20, 2010
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