Rush Township Building
Hometown PA 18252
Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors
A meeting was held at the Rush Township Municipal Building on December 18, 2014 at 7:00 o’clock pm. In attendance were Chairman Shawn Gilbert, Vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger, Supervisor Jeaninne Motroni, Secretary/Treasurer Denise Hope, Administrative Assistant Caitlin Whildin, Attorney Chris Riedlinger, Bill McMullen, 2 reporters, and 10 residents.
Chairman Gilbert called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Cathey Schimpf- stated she received an unsigned complaint about someone’s home occupation, stated that the zoning hearing board does not enforce it but instead grant relief
2. Charlie Shamonsky- asked why the snow removal signs were put up on Meadow Avenue, questioned what will be done with the snow and when are they supposed to move cars, stated that 11 signs for two blocks is too much
3. Joe Shamonsky- stated there are large potholes on Wayne Avenue between where the new pipe was put in and Route 309, also questioned what was done when he called to report there was a wire hanging down over the road
4. Barry Messerschmidt- wanted to thank the Board of Supervisors and everyone else for the past year and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas
Police Report- Sergeant Duane Frederick read his report for the Month of November 2014. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Leibensperger to approve Sergeant Frederick’s report. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Minutes of Previous Meeting-A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Leibensperger to approve the previous meeting minutes of November 20, 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Treasurer’s Reports-A motion was made by Vice Chairman Leibensperger to approve the treasurer’s report as of November 30, 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Approval of Current Township and Sewer Bills thru December 18, 2014
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Leibensperger to approve all current township and sewer bills for November and December 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Approval of municipal reports (sewer, road, Arro, Prodesign)- A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Leibensperger to approve the municipal reports for November 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
CORRESPONDENCE- PSATS, NEPA, PA Township News
Attorney’s Business- A motion to adopt Resolution to set mileage at 5.62 for 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion
carried.
A motion to adopt an ordinance for Disturbing the Peace, Ordinance #189. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to authorize Attorney Riedlinger to prepare an ordinance protecting township fire companies and later advertise to adopt it. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, Chairman Gilbert and Vice Chairman Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion and Supervisor Motroni opposed, motion carried.
Rush Township wishes to comment on an article that appeared in the Times News newspaper on Tuesday December 16, 2014. The article concerns allegations made against members of the Rush Township Police Dept. and a court case filed against the Rush Township Police Dept. and certain individual officers. Although a court case has indeed been filed, the allegations made in that case are simply that, allegations. Rush Township has only recently been served with the papers relating to this case and is currently going through its normal process of sending them to its insurance carrier for the appointment of an attorney to handle the matter on behalf of the police department. By restating large portions of the plaintiff’s complaint, Rush Township is concerned that the December 16th newspaper article creates an implication in the reading public that these allegations are established facts. Rush Township and Rush Township Police Dept. plan to vigorously defend this action and deny that any wrong doing or inappropriate actions by its officers took place. Rush Township hopes that any decisions made in the townships favor as this case winds its way through the judicial process receive as prominent as page 1 location in the Times News as the December 16th article did.
NEW BUSINESS-
A motion to approve the proposed 2015 budget for the North Schuylkill Landfill. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to adopt the 2015 township budget. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to donate the old police radios to the Fire Police. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to advertise the re-organization meeting for 7pm on January 5, 2015 with the regular meeting still to be held on the third Thursday. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to accept the resignation of Kevin Leitzel for Rush Township Zoning Hearing Board as an alternate board member. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to apply for funding for the Community Development Home Program for low income housing. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of
the motion, motion carried.
SUPERVISORS COMMENT
The township building will be closed Wednesday December 24th and Thursday December 25th for the holiday. Properties are being posted for water shut off due to non payment of sewer bills. The township is encouraging all residents to please sign up for the Code Red alert system on the township website. If any residents have any questions please call the office at the township building. Thank You
Chairman Gilbert adjourned the meeting at 7:45pm.
Transcribed and attested:
Caitlin Whildin
Administrative Assistant