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 Vice-Chairman Shawn Gilbert, Supervisor Robert Leibensperger, Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville, and Clerk/Assistant Treasurer Marie Skripnek. Corporal Frederick was not present. There were approximately twenty -four people in attendance and one reporter present. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.
Lottery Drawing for Housing Rehab.
All applications received were put in a box, drawn by Ms. Skripnek and numbered by Ms. Conville. Chairman Simchak explained that the twenty-three applications would be opened by the office staff, and a master list would be created. ProDesign Plus will be given a copy of the master list, and the applications. ProDesign will use this information to apply for the $330,000.00 in funds for the program. Chairman Simchak also stated that applications received in the office from this point on will be added to the master list as they are received.
Public Comment
1. Charlie Barnes – inquired about what can be done to Crest Street to get it cleaned up.
2. George Pinkey – inquired about the bids for road materials.
3. Marion Lazur- asked if the correspondence received for the month could be mentioned now so she would be able to ask questions on any of it. The Board agreed to this.
Ms. Conville mentioned the following received for correspondence:
Letter from DEP referencing the demolition of the house and a form to fill out.
Letter from Emergency Management Agency- burn ban was lifted as of Sunday, August 15, 2010
Letter from Dolores Walck, Tax Collector – requesting an increase in her fees for a tax certification, duplicate bill, and creation of a bill.
Letter from Mahanoy Area School District- requesting donations
Letter from Mr. Behun about ATV’s riding on the Miller baseball field.
Letter from Mauch Chunk Trust listing their pledge requirements for the month.
PSATS News Bulletin
PSATS Township Legal Defense Partnership Newsletter
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to place on file all correspondence received for the month for public review. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert inquired as to why he did not receive a copy of the letter from DEP. Simchak did apologize for not forwarding this certified letter on to the other Board Members. Simchak stated that he was on vacation for a week. Ms. Conville polled the Board. Leibensperger and Simchak voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no. Motion carried.
Marion Lazur – asked about the letter from DEP, if the Board was going to act on Dolores Walck’s request for an increase in fees, and also about the letter referencing the Crime Watch.
4. Charlie Shamonsky – asked for an update on the Meadow Avenue sewer project.
5. Pat Tracey – inquired about the invitation list for the web site unveiling and if the agenda will be posted on it prior to the meeting.
6. Barry Messerschmidt – inquired about the status of the power hook- up for the intersection.
7. Darryl Seiwell – asked if the canopy of trees be trimmed that overhang the township portion of the road between Route 54 and the gates of Lake Hauto before the school buses start to run.
8. Cathey Schimpf – asked if the report could be read about the web site. She asked if the treasurer’s report and the bills paid for the month would be added to the site.
9. Steve Behun – asked if the response letter could be read that referenced the riding of ATV’s. He also asked about cleaning up another area in the township.
10. Len Tunella – inquired on the status of grants for repairs to Crest Street.
American Water Services Report – TJ read his report for the month. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the report for the month. Supervisor Leibensperger seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Police Report – no report was given
Minutes of meetings – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the meeting minutes of July 20th and August 11th, 2010. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert stated he was on vacation and not present at last month’s meeting. Ms. Conville polled the Board. Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion. Gilbert was absent. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the treasurer’s report for July 31, 2010. Supervisor Leibensperger seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Approval of current township and sewer bills for August, 2010 – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve all township and sewer bills for the month of August, 2010. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board. Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no. Motion carried.
Municipal Reports – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept and place on file the municipal reports. Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Attorney’s Business – No report for the month
New Business
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to award aggregate to Slusser Brothers FOB at maximum contract of $79,480.48. Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to award bituminous materials to Hazleton Materials FOB at maximum contract of $1,422.70 and aggregate at maximum contract of $8,980.00. Supervisor Leibensperger seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to award bituminous to Lehigh Asphalt FOB at maximum contract of $3,420.00. Vice -Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Chairman Simchak stated that tally sheets are available for the road materials bid. (See attached sheet as part of the official minutes)
Announcements
Ms. Skripnek read a memo about donations received for our Parks and Recreation. Mr.& Mrs. Walter Taylor donated $40.00, Taylor Rooter & Drain Service $25.00, and Mr. Ed Ankiewicz/Grand Prix Excavating $100.00
Ms. Skripnek read a memo thanking TIDE and Mr. Frank Zukas of SEDCO for sponsoring the refreshments served for the web site unveiling of August 2nd.
Ms. Skripnek read a memo stating that 320 visits have been made on the web-site from August 2nd to now.
Supervisor Leibensperger read a memo summarizing the letter written to Jeannine Motroni about the Crime Watch. The Board states that the newly formed Crime Watch group is not associated in any way with the Concerned Citizens’ Group. Ms. Motroni was not elected to speak on behalf of the Crime Watch. The Board appreciates Ms. Motroni expressing an interest in promoting our Crime Watch group, but is looking out for her well-being.
Chairman Simchak thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting at 6:35p.m.
Transcribed & Attested
Terri Conville – Secretary/Treasurer