News

July 2015 Minutes

Rush Township Building

Hometown, PA 18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

A meeting was held at the Rush Township Municipal Building on July 16, 2015 at 7:00 o’clock pm. In Attendance were: Chairman Shawn Gilbert, Vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger, Supervisor Jeaninne Motroni, Secretary/Treasurer Katie Orlick, Attorney Chris Riedlinger and Bill McMullen.

Chairman Gilbert called the meeting to order.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Police Report Sergeant Duane Fredrick read his report for the month of June 2015. A motion was made by Chairman Shawn Gilbert to approve Sergeant Frederick’s report. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Minutes of Previous Meeting – June 18, 2015 A motion was made by Chairman Shawn Gilbert to approve the previous meeting minutes of June 18, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried

Treasurer’s Report A motion was made by Chairman Shawn Gilbert to approve the treasurer’s report. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Approval of current township and sewer bills thru July, 2015 – A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the municipal reports thru April 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Approval of municipal reports (sewer, road, Arro, Prodesign) – A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the municipal reports for April 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion, Mrs. Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Attorney’s BusinessMotion for Board to approve and Shawn to sign for Hill Grinder Pump Easement. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

CorrespondencePSATs and Power Kunkle.

NEW BUSINESS

1. A motion to accept Elden Neifert’s decision to step down as Road Department’s foreman, but remain on the road department crew, retro-active, as of June 29, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

2. A motion to accept Lance L. Frantz as the new Road Department foreman, retro-active as of June 29, 2015., with a $1/hour pay raise, as well as one year probation as road foreman as of June 29, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried. Charlie Shamonsky asked if a background check was done on Lance, yes it was and he has a background in construction and heavy machinery.

3. A motion to approve Rush Township’s decision to hire Steven Troxell for Road/Sewer department, retro-active to June 29, 2015. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

4. A motion to approve the purchase of a commercial Hustler ATZ 35/65 zero-turn mower for $11,560. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

5. Motion to approve a bid opening for the Bnosky   Street, Meadow   Avenue and Grove Street Road Paving Project. No Bids received, waiting until October/November to reopen bidding for next spring. No motion

6. Motion to rebid Project in #5 in October/November for future advertising. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

7. Motion to authorize ARRO to prepare documents and advertise for bids for construction of an equipment storage building, 60” x 80”, 16 feet doors. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Orlick polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

                   Questions/Discussion:

  1. Kathy – When did      the township get so big? We are now charged for recycling, and our amount of recycling went down, did garbage go up? People all over were dumping      into the recycling, the report she has is just Rush Township.  The numbers are significantly less than in 2012. Now you are talking about getting  another building. Disappointed once single stream the recycling it would be better, taking ashes out of it and      people used to cut trees/brush the debris was in storm drains, the ghetto      was not done. Road crew goes around      and vacuums when it needs, only done during brush cutting and the guys did      a great job. The guys do the major      areas because there are not enough guys to do it all. Road crew is only a 4 man crew and doing      the best they can and take care of the problems as they hit. They try and rectify things so that they      do not become bigger problems. When      put the recycling in, will get reimbursed under the 904. Everyone is charged $60 more and the      recycling numbers are down, what is wrong with this? We have more equipment and road crew      guys than ever, but roads/ area not any bigger. Should have bought land for the      recycling, Robert said that we would have had to pay for it in full, now      because of the steps that have been taken with recycling, etc they will be      able to get grants.
  2. Joe Shamonsky –      when going to fix the gutters around here? Township keeps drains clean,      but when get 2-3 inches of rain the debris finds its way into drains and      the guys clean it out when the storm is over. Hillside of Tamaqua Street is going to      be repaired, they were going to do it but it was storming. Currently working on the roads, there is      30 years of road, drainage issues and working to repair. Need guys to come after hours to clear      it when it rains otherwise his house is going to be flooded.

Public Comment

  1. When we get this      school, who is responsible for the problem kids? No answer at this time, there is a      public board meeting on July 28th at 6:30 p.m. and will have      some answers. At this time we do not have any answers, hope to have some      answers at the August meeting.
  2. Charlie Shamonsky –      Signs, Lance was told to order and he will order them and put up as soon      as he gets a chance.
  3. Boyer- Walnut Alley      when will it be opened, it has been closed for over a year and now it will      probably be another year road crew is quite busy.
  4. Joe Shamonsky – was      escorted out due to his language and Shawn said that he was not going to      stand for it anymore and Duane escorted him out.

Supervisors Comment– None.

Chairman Gilbert adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.

Transcribed and attested: Kelly M. Giordano/Administrative Assistant

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