The
Parks Township Board of Supervisors held their Reorganization and Regular Monthly
meeting on January 2,2024 at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, 26 Jackson
Street, North Vandergrift.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gregory Artman, Chairman Mary Ralston, Member
Scott Kifer, Vice Chairman, absent Jeanna Cerra,
Secretary-Treasurer
VISITORS PRESENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Chief Kyle Lewis, Parks Township
Police
Mr.
Artman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm following the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
REORGANIZATION
MEETING
Mrs.
Ralston nominated Mr. Artman as Temporary Chairman. Mr. Artman seconded it.
Mrs.
Ralston nominated Ms. Cerra as Temporary Secretary-Treasurer and Mr. Artman seconded
it.
Mrs.
Ralston nominated Mr. Artman as the Chairman of the Board for 2024 and Mr.
Artman seconded it.
Mr.
Artman nominated Mrs. Ralston as Vice-Chairman of the Board for 2024; Mrs. Ralston
seconded it.
Mrs.
Ralston appointed Ms. Cerra as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board for 2024, Mr.
Artman seconded it. Mrs. Ralston added
that Ms. Cerra would also be the Pension Plans Administrator, the Flood Plain
Administrator, Delegate on the Westmoreland County Tax Collection Committee
(WCTCC) and the UCC Committee Delegate.
Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to appoint Mr. Scott Andreassi as Township Solicitor at a
rate of $145.00 per hour for the year 2024, Mr. Artman seconded it.
A
letter was received from Senate Engineering Company expressing interest in
being reappointed as our engineer. Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to reappoint Senate Engineering as the Township
Engineer. Mr. Artman seconded it.
Mr.
Artman made a motion for all three supervisors to share the duties of Roadmaster,
Mrs. Ralston seconded it.
Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to reappoint Mr. Ike Summerhill to serve on the vacancy
board. Mr. Artman seconded the motion.
Mrs. Ralston made a motion to continue using
the following depository banks for 2024:
First Commonwealth for General, State, Police Pension, Non-Uniform Pension
and Sinking Funds and ARPA; Apollo Trust for Payroll and Street Light Funds;
Elderton State Bank for Police Pension CD accounts; and PIGIT for Parks and
Recreation funds. Mr. Artman seconded
the motion.
Mrs.
Ralston nominated Mr. Artman as Police Commissioner. Mr. Artman seconded it.
Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to reappoint Mr. Monty Knepshield and Mr. Stan Givens Jr
to the Municipal Authority for a 5-year term and Mr. Keith Hansen to KVWPCA for
a 5-year term, Mr. Artman seconded it.
At
this time no one was appointed to be the PSATS Convention delegate for the
township.
Mrs.
Ralston moved to name Mrs. Amy Perroz as the PSTCA Convention delegate and to
pay for her expenses for the convention; Mr. Artman seconded the motion.
REAFFIRMATIONS
Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to reaffirm that all purchases of tools and machinery for
all departments (maintenance, police, office) not covered by Contract Agreement
must be approved by two Supervisors, and no longer need a purchase order. The best prices and service will be obtained
for any equipment or purchases made. Mr.
Artman seconded the motion.
Mr.
Artman made a motion that all Ordinances and Resolutions be retained. Mrs. Ralston seconded it.
Mr.
Ralston moved to reaffirm the increase in Tax Rates for 2024, which had
previously been set and approved as part of the 2024 Budget. Mr. Artman seconded the motion. The new rates
are as follows:
Real
Estate - 9 Mills
Local
Services Tax - $52.00
Wage
Tax - ½ of 1%
Real
Estate Transfer - ½ of 1%
Street
Light Tax - Vacant - .18
Kepple
Hill - Occupied - 1.2
Kiskimere - Occupied -
1.5
North
Vandergrift - Occupied – 2.0
Mrs. Ralston moved to reaffirm that
Ms. Amy Perroz will collect the Real Estate and Local Services Taxes, and
Berkheimer will collect the Earned Income Taxes. Mr. Artman seconded the
motion.
Mrs. Ralston moved to set the
mileage reimbursement rate at 67 cents, which is the 2024 Federal Rate (the previous
rate was 65.5 cents). Mr. Artman seconded the motion.
RESOLUTIONS
Mrs. Ralston moved to adopt the Wage
Schedule Resolution. Mr. Artman seconded the motion.
Mrs. Ralston made a motion to accept
the Bill Payment Resolution, adding any other bills will need Supervisor’s approval;
Mr. Artman seconded it.
REGULAR MEETING
Copies of the Agenda, Minutes, and
Bill Payment List were posted on the bulletin board for review. Public
comments will be taken at the end of the meeting.
Mr. Artman made a motion to adopt the
Minutes from the December 18, 2024, regular meeting with Mrs. Ralston seconding
the motion.
Mrs. Ralston made a motion to accept
the Treasurer’s Report/Ending Balances for 2023; Mr. Artman seconded it.
Mrs. Ralston made a motion to accept
the Bill Payment List for December 15 through December 31, 2023, and Mr. Artman
seconded it. Mr. Artman asked the secretary to inquire about a gas card for
municipalities. Mrs. Ralston said maybe Co-Stars or PSATS can tell us if there
are any. Each Supervisor
stipulated that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or any
member of his family.
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Report – Chief Lewis read the
Police Report for December 1 through December 31, 2023.
Maintenance Crew - Mr. Artman announced
that Diesel Hill was hired for seasonal help. The crew replaced a pipe on
Chestnut Street and cleaned drops.
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES
Parks Committee – Reorganization
Meeting Date January 10, 2024.
Planning Commission – The
Reorganization Meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2024.
OLD BUSINESS
A video meeting will be held on
January 11, 2024, to discuss with DCED about the Regional police study.
The drainage project is ongoing at Kepple
Hill Park.
NEW BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular monthly meeting will
be held on Monday, February 12, 2024, in the Township Building at 7 P.M at 26
Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.
There being no further questions or
comments, Mr. Artman moved to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. with Mrs. Ralston seconding
the motion.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeanna Cerra Secretary-Treasurer