News

Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – October 18, 2011

Rush Township Building
Hometown, PA  18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

Public Comment
1.  Mike Brinkach with Brinkach & Associates – wanted to make sure that item B under new business concerning the Great Eight Plan would be acted on this evening for final approval.
2.  Jane McQuillen – asked for correspondence to be read:

Correspondence –   Ms. Conville mentioned the following correspondence received for the month:
1.  Letter from Penn-Dot estimating our Liquid Fuels allocation for 2012 is $108,730.69.  This is an increase of $2,009.82 from the previous year.
2. Two e-mail’s from the Office Administrator at Physical Therapy addressing the flooding that occurred in that area on September 23rd and the conditions of the storm drains on September 28th.
3.  Letter from Mauch Chunk Trust Company listing its pledge requirements for the month
4.  E-mail from Jane McQuillen about the Meadow Avenue Project.  Our engineer has been in touch with Ms. McQuillan about that.
5.  Letter from SEDCO in reference to sewer connection for Lots 22-24 at the TIDE Park
6.  Letter from William Boyer requesting to review documentation verifying that the township owns a 25 foot right-of-way known as Walnut Street located behind Mr. Boyer’s house.
7.  Letter from John Schickram in reference to the 25 foot alley (Walnut Street) bordering his property.
8.  Several emails from the County Emergency Management Agency in reference to Tropical Storm Lee.
Ms. McQuillen asked if an update has been received about the Meadow Avenue project.  Ms. Conville read the following section from the monthly engineering report:
41 Meadow Avenue – Issue – Missed lateral connection for basement toilet.
Summary:  When installing mainline sanitary sewer pipe along Meadow Avenue, contractor found, installed and connected lateral sewer pipe for this location.  Afterwards, upon a significant rain event, the basement toilet could not flush and the basement floor drains, which were plugged closed, began discharging water into the basement.  The water coming in through the floor drains and also through cracks in the basement floor appeared to be storm and/or ground water with no odor or discoloration.
The contractor was contacted and excavated the next day to find the missed lateral connection.  The excavation ran the length of the house with the exception of underneath the concrete driveway, at a depth of approx. 8ft.  The basement discharge line was not located at that time.
Result – The contractor plans to do further excavation at this location when they resume lateral installation in the area.  The basement toilet is seldom used and is not a burden to be out of use at this time.  Benesch has been in contact with the property owner and they (property owner) are aware of the plan to locate this second lateral connection.
John Schickram asked if he should ask about his letter now or does he wait for public comment.  Chairman Simchak stated the Board will give an answer to his letter and also Mr. Boyer’s letter later on in the meeting.   A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve and place all correspondence on file for public review.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
3.  Marion Lazur – asked to review a copy of current township and sewer bills for the month of October that the Supervisors are going to pay.  Ms. Lazur also stated that she understands we pay other bills besides these because she claims when she looks at the treasurer’s report there are other bills on it. Ms. Conville noted that if it is a payroll check or a daily bill, it will get paid.  Ms. Lazur feels the money paid to Zukovich’s Farms and Shafer Farms is quite a lot to spend for cornstalks, mums, and pumpkins and was it necessary.  Simchak stated it was a Board decision.  Leibensperger noted that we are having our Community Day/ Bicentennial Celebration on Sunday, October 30th and thought the fall decorations would look nice.  Simchak stated that everyone is welcome to attend this event.  There will be free food and free door prizes.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve current township and sewer bills for October, 2011.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  Motion carried.
4.  A resident wanted to ask a question on the Meadow Avenue Sewer Project.  Simchak stated that she should call the office and submit it to the office. Gilbert stated that Meadow Avenue is a big project and people want to know what is going on.  Simchak stated that our engineer is not here and we do not have any of the facts or figures in front of us.  Leibensperger noted that he has researched at least four different problems for residents on Meadow Avenue.  Leibensperger stated that during the last rain storm someone in the area of the Physical Therapy Building was pumping large volumes of water into the sewer line.  That person will be fined when the Board finds out who it is.  Leibensperger stated that the sewer system should be done by November.
5. Marvin & Terri Machak – asked if there is a timeline for the Meadow Avenue project.  Ms. Machak state that everything is covered in dust and dirt.  She feels the street could be watered down and a different pattern worked out for the traffic including the school buses.   Simchak asked the residents to please put your questions in writing and we can answer them accurately.
5.  Jane McQuillen – stated she did meet with Andrew Spece and he could not even read the map and find the manholes.  Simchak noted that Mr. Spece is not an engineer. He is just there to take measurements and installations. Simchak stated that if we had to have a licensed engineer on-site our bill would be over $30,000.00   Leibensperger is also upset with the contractor, but the sewer system had to be repaired.  Leibensperger stated that temporary asphalt paving will be done as quickly as possible.
6.  Josephine Stone – wanted to know what would happen when the snow comes and how the road will get plowed.   Simchak stated that there is a tentative date set for completion, but if there is inclement weather, we will give them additional time.
7.  Charlie Shamonsky – wanted to know what will they do with the stone that is on our properties Leibensperger invited residents to stay after the meeting and he will try to answer their questions about Meadow Avenue to the best he can.
8.  Marvin & Terri Machak – wanted to know how much the township pays that man that rides around in the sewer truck.
9.  Pat Tracy – questioned why we hire somebody that can’t get the job done.  Leibensperger stated that the Board has to follow laws set by the state for bidding process and construction and labor laws.
10.  Charlie Shamonsky – wanted to know what will happen if the township goes past the deadline to finish the job.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to conditionally approve the final Subdivision Plan for the Great Eight LLC (FP-2011-005) based upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

American Water Services Report – John Teijaro read his report for the month as of October 18th, 2011. Leibensperger questioned TJ about item #8 on his monthly report in reference to any regular standard systems hooked up over at Lake Hauto.  TJ feels there were old septic systems that were not filled in.  Simchak stated that TJ’s Supervisor sent a detailed letter explaining all of that.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve TJ’s report.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.    Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Minutes of Previous Meeting – September 20, 2011- A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the previous meeting minutes of September 20th, 2011.  Vice- Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Treasurer’s Report as of September 30, 2011 – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the treasurer’s report as of September 30, 2011.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Municipal Reports – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept and place on file for public review all 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

Chairman Simchak stated the Board discussed the correspondence received from John Schickram and William Boyer.  Simchak asked for a motion that when the Board gets all the information on this matter, then it should be turned over to our Solicitor.  Leibensperger stated he would not make a motion on that because the deed of Mr. Schickram states that there is a 25 foot alley, public access and it should not be blocked.   After a brief discussion, Chairman Simchak made a motion to have our Solicitor review all the information we have gathered and send out an official letter to those homeowners that are complaining and confirm the access points.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

New Business –
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger for the Rush Township Fire Police to help with the Tamaqua Halloween Parade on Tuesday, October 25th at 7 pm with a rain date of Wednesday, October 26th at 7 pm.   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 Supervisor Leibensperger to appoint Arthur D. Zeplin to the NESJMA Board for a five year term effective October 18, 2011.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Chairman Simchak adjourned the meeting at 6:30 o’clock pm.

Transcribed and attested:

________________________________________
Terri Conville
Secretary/Treasurer

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