News

Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – December 9, 2011

Rush Township Municipal Building
Hometown, PA  18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

The special meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chairman Stephen W. Simchak at 9 o’clock a.m.  Those in attendance were Supervisor Robert Leibensperger, and Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert was absent.  There were approximately eleven people in attendance. No reporters were present.   The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.

Public Comment
1. William Boyer – wanted to know if the Lake Hauto sewer rates were going to be raised or be lowered.  Simchak stated the Board would be voting this morning to lower the rates.  This is because the 2012 quarterly fee charge by Nesquehoning will be less and the Penn Vest loan for Lake Hauto will be paid off next August. Mr. Boyer asked if the rates for Hometown sewer would change.  Simchak stated they would stay the same because piping needs to be replaced and that is where the money would come from plus our grants.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve Resolution #2011-12 setting the sewer rates for Lake Hauto to $140.00 per quarter.   Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.
Mr. Boyer also wanted to know if the Board looked into obtaining any type of funding for the new generator such as going thru Homeland Security.  Simchak stated that he looked into funds available at a seminar several months ago and was told there is no money available at this time.

Opening of Bids for the Generator – Chairman Simchak opened the bids as follows:
1.  West Side Hammer Electric – bid price $78,320.00 bid bond appears to be in order
2.  Thomas Hoffman Company, Incorporated – bid price $72,000.00 bid bond appears to be in order
3.  George J. Hayden (Hayden Electric) – bid price $71,400.00 bid bond appears to be in order
4.  Spotts Brothers, Incorporated – bid price $69,920.00 bid bond appears to be in order
5.  J.B. Electric Corporation – bid price $65,269.00 bid bond appears to be in order.

At this time the Supervisors will hold onto the bids, recess the meeting later to thoroughly review the bids before making a recommendation to award it.

Continuing Public Comment
2. Pat Tracey – wanted to know if the paving of Meadow Avenue was to be done this year.  Simchak stated that it was just the sanitary sewers that were done.  Ms. Tracey wanted to know when it would be paved.  Simchak stated the bids for that project would be opened in a few minutes.

Opening of Bids for Storm Sewer and Paving Upgrade Project for the Meadow Avenue Area – Chairman Simchak opened the bids as follows:
1.   Anrich Incorporated – base bid amount $419,092.50 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
2.  Arthur Pat Aungst – base bid amount $543,860.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
3.  Dirt Work Solutions, Incorporated – base bid amount $428,731.75 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
4.  Doli Construction Corp. – base bid amount $427,255.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
5.  Fehlinger Construction Group, LLC – base bid amount $560,167.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
6.  Hazleton Site Contractors – base bid amount $399,998.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
7.  Kobalt Construction Company – base bid amount $486,170.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
8.  Lehigh Asphalt Paving & Construction Co. – base bid amount $469,565.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
9. Livengood Excavators, Inc. – had an itemized sheet, did not add them up, will refer it to our engineer to add the columns for a grand total.  The company did receive both addendums and bid bond attached.
10.  Muschlitz Excavating, Inc. – base bid amount $436,299.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
11.  Pioneer Construction Company – base bid amount $487,849.10 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
12.  RGC Development L.P. – base bid amount $486,488.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
13.  Pennsy Supply (Slusser Brothers) – base bid amount $515,219.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.
14.  Wexcon, Inc. – base bid amount $438,460.00 received both addendums and bid bond attached.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept all bids and refer them to our engineer for recommendation and award.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Cathey Schimpf wanted to know where the money is coming from to pay for this project. A discussion followed between the Board members and Ms. Schimpf about our cash flow in our bank accounts, the 1.5 mills tax increase and how much money that generates per year, and funds set aside for next year for our infrastructure.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

Continuing of Public Comment
3.  Pat Tracey – wanted to know why the paving of Meadow Avenue was not included with the project that Grand Prix is doing.  Leibensperger stated there are state rules that have to be followed for bidding.
4. William Boyer – wanted to know if the taxes would be raised or other fees to pay for these projects.  Leibensperger stated no.
5.  Charles Shamonsky – wanted to know what the change order to Meadow Avenue covers.  Simchak stated it was for additional work plus a few people had 2 or 3 laterals that were not originally documented.   Mr. Shamonsky would like the township to get a street sweeper to clean up all the stones.  Simchak noted that the contractor is coming back next week to mill the high spots and clean up any other messes.  Mr. Shamonsky also stated the plate on Meadow and Mariner needs to be fixed and there is a big hole right there.  Simchak noted a temporary repair will be made before the end of the year.  The engineer and the contractor will figure out a permanent fix.
6.  Joseph Shamonsky – wanted to know what qualifications Lorraine Brill and Paul Miller have for the Emergency Management Agency.  Simchak noted that both are certified by the state.  Leibensperger added that both individuals have to go thru extensive training and updates.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger for Lorraine Brill and Paul Miller to attend the Township Emergency Management Association Seminar May 6th thru May 9th in Hershey, Pa. and include lodging, mileage and substinance.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve change order #2 Meadow Avenue Sanitary Sewer Improvement noting an increase of $ 13, 200.00 bringing the new contract price to  $284, 750.00.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the previous meeting minutes of November 15th, 2011. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve current township and sewer bills thru December 9, 2011.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

Chairman Simchak asked Ms. Conville if the budget has been properly advertised for public review.  Ms. Conville responded yes.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the budget as advertised for 2012 for Rush Township.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the agreement for our local services taxes with Centax.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve Resolution #2011-11 setting the yearly garbage fees for 2012 to $130.00 which is $15.00 less than last year.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve change order #2 Road Improvements program for this year.  The project is now complete.  This change order increases the contract by $12,631.79 to a new contract price of $117,641.79.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the cooperation agreement between Air Products and the Township.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to join the Township Emergency Management Association at a total cost of $175.00 per year.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

Charles Shamonsky – asked if a new contract was issued for the laterals on Meadow Avenue.  Simchak stated that it was not a new contract, just a change to the current contract. Mr. Shamonsky wanted to know if the township was paying to have those extra laterals hooked up and if the street would be getting ripped up again.   Simchak stated the township is paying for them and the change order explains the additional lateral fees.  Mr. Shamonsky also asked if they would be air testing the lines and how would they know if anything else is hooked up.  Simchak stated that TJ checks everything once a year.

Simchak recessed the meeting for 10-15 minutes and opened the meeting back up to award the bids.

The meeting reopened at 10 am.  Simchak stated the engineer discovered a mathematical error on Hazleton Sites bid.  His original price was $399,998.00.  However, the new corrected total is $ 402,231.00.  Hazleton Site is still the lowest bidder.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the project to Hazleton Site for a price of $402,231.00.  Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Supervisor Leibensperger stated that for the record Livengood Excavator’s bid added up to $ 408,252.00.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the generator bid of $ 65,269.00 to J.B. Electric Corporation, North Delaware Avenue, Minersville, Pa.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert was absent.  Motion carried.

Chairman Simchak adjourned the meeting at 10:10 o’clock am.

Transcribed and attested:

________________________________________
Terri Conville
Secretary/Treasurer

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