The Parks Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on November 20, 2023, at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, 26 Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.

 MEMBERS PRESENT:  Gregory Artman, Chairman                                    Scott Kifer, Vice Chairman       

 Mary Ralston, Member                                            Jeanna Cerra, Secretary - Treasurer 

VISITORS                            Jay Start, Cynthia Nabors, Gene Bell

 OTHERS PRESENT:      Chief Kyle Lewis

 Mr. Artman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Copies of the Agenda and Minutes were given to all attending and were posted along with the Treasurer’s Report and Bill Payment List on the bulletin board for review.   Public comments will be taken at the end of the meeting. 

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to adopt the Minutes from the October 16, 2023, regular meeting; and the October 18, 2023 Budget meeting; Mr. Kifer seconded it; and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

 Mr. Kifer made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report for October, Mrs. Ralston seconded it; and Mr. Atman made it unanimous.  Receipts for October were $11,470.34 and expenses were $164,691.67 leaving a total balance of $464,260.99 (General Fund –$122,291.10; Capital Fund – $22,139.87; State Fund - $243,314.89; Street Light Fund – $2448.35 ARPA Fund $74,093.78)

 Mr. Artman made a motion to approve the Bill Payment List for October 13-November 16, 2023, Mr. Kifer          seconded it; and Mrs. Ralston made it unanimous.  Each Supervisor stipulated that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or any member of his family.

 CORRESPONDENCE

A letter was sent about the new ruling that local agencies may not add non-emergency and non-de-minimis items to agendas during meetings per the Sunshine Act.

A letter was sent from Gilpin and Bethel Townships about applying for a Multimodal Grant.

Mrs. Ralston said she will attend the Southern PA Commission and Armstrong County informational meeting on Friday December 8, 2023.

LSSE sent a Fall Newsletter.

The national weather Service in Pittsburgh will be conducting a webinar on Monday November 27, 2023.

The 2024 UC Group Trust Rate is 0.09%

PSATS sent a letter about insurance and retirement services.

 STAFF REPORTS

Police Report – Chief Lewis read the police report from October1-31, 2023, he also talked about calling 911 not the station for calls needing a police officer.

 Maintenance Crew- The crew has been working on Penn Avenue for the D&G Grant. The new hire has been working well.

 TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES-

Parks Committee-Ms. Cerra reported the committee is still working on using another organization’s small games of chance license because they cannot get one because they are not a nonprofit for the Night at the Races.

Planning Commission- The commission is working on the ordinance book and making a table of contents. They are revisiting the Burning Ordinance, and also making a list of blighted properties.

OLD BUSINESS

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to adopt the 2024 Budget, Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.

Mrs. Ralston updated the Regional Police Study and said they were waiting on information from Hyde Park and Kiski Township.

Ms. Cerra reported that trees were cut at Kepple Hill park which is the first step to begin the drainage project. Mrs. Ralston said she called the contractor and said the Township wanted the wood that was cut and thought it could be sold to help pay for the project but after calling around none of the local lumber companies were interested. Mrs. Ralston’s son is taking the wood to burn. Mr. Kifer said he also knows some people who would be interested. Mr. Artman asked if I could get a release made up and signed for anyone cutting the trees on township property.

The police vehicle is ordered, and we are waiting to hear when it will be going to the upfitters. Mr. Kifer made a motion that Ms. Cerra as the treasurer has authority to sign any paperwork pertinent to the treasurer, Mr. Artman seconded it and Mrs. Ralston made it unanimous.

The Dirt and Gravel Low Volume Road Grant on Penn Avenue is going well. Mrs. Ralston said the homeowner must buy the grate needed for their yard.

Mr. Kifer made a motion to make Mrs. Ralston along with Ms. Cerra the signers for the LSA Grant paperwork, Mr. Artman seconded it. Mrs. Ralston suggested a camera to see under the bridge in North Vandergrift.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to adopt the Resolution for the tax increase for 2024. Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.

NEW BUSINESS

Phillip Tack from Orphans of the Storm cancelled.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to advertise the 2024 Meeting Dates, Mr. Artman seconded, and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.

Mr. Artman made a motion to hire a CPA for the 2023 audit, Mrs. Ralston seconded it and Mr. Kifer voted No.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to advertise for proposals to attain a new actuarial and investors for the Police Pension Fund. Mr. Kifer seconded, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

The PUC sent an invoice from incidents happening in 2019 where PA One Calls were not cleared and lines for the gas company and phone were almost hit and the township was fined for not clearing the tickets. Mrs. Ralston made a motion to pay the penalty, Mr. Kifer seconded, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to order new LED lights for the office, she asked to wait until January unless there was a good Black Friday deal. Mr. Kifer seconded, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to sign the new police contract, Mr. Kifer seconded, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion for Ms. Cerra to register for the CDL Management Class that PSATS is conducting. Mr. Kifer seconded, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

Chief Lewis reported the girls who vandalized the picnic table in North Vandergrift started their community service. Ms. Cerra said the insurance company has invoiced the families for the money they paid for the claim. Chief Lewis felt that was not fair. Mrs. Ralston said Parks Township cannot condone this kind of activity and she thought the families should pay. Mr. Artman said he would help pay but after thinking about it changed his mind.

 PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Nabors asked a question about the taxes paid to the county.

ADJOURNMENT

 The next Regular Monthly Meeting will be held December 18, 2023, at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, North Vandergrift.

There being no further questions or comments, Mr. Kifer moved to adjourn at 8:20 pm; Mrs. Ralston seconded it, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.    

 Respectfully Submitted,

 Jeanna Cerra

Secretary-Treasurer