The Parks Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on March 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, 26 Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.

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

 Mary Ralston, Vice Chairman                                Jeanna Cerra, Secretary - Treasurer 

VISITORS                            Jeff Retter, Cindy Reilly, Rich Simpson, Marsha DuFour, Ken Lookabaugh,

 Cpl. Thomas Dubovi, Cpl. Tyler Dubovi, Jeff Walker, Michele Harshaw, James Cooper, Harry Anderson, Rhea Anderson

 OTHERS PRESENT:      None

 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 February 12 ,2024 Regular Meeting; Mr. Artman seconded it.  

 Mrs. Ralston made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report for January 2024, Mr. Artman seconded it, and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.   Receipts for January were $67,940.80 and expenses were $39,609.85 leaving a total balance of $414,395.46 (General Fund –$106,279.53; Capital Fund – $43,042.16; State Fund - $218,329.38; Street Light Fund – $3702.23 ARPA Fund $0)

 Mrs. Ralston made a motion to approve the Bill Payment List for February 9- March 14, 2024; Mr. Artman seconded it, and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.  Each Supervisor stipulated that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or any member of his family.

 CORRESPONDENCE

The summary for 2023 Audit was given to the supervisors.

PTMA sent the Annual Report and Budget.

A copy of the 2024 Proposed Resolutions for PSATS was given to each supervisor. Mr. Kifer said he was not attending the conference.

 STAFF REPORTS

Police Report – Report from February 1-29, 2024

 Maintenance Crew- Mr. Artman said the crew has been berming roads. Mrs. Ralston said she talked to Russell Standard and he said to add 10% from last year’s estimate for this year. Maple Road would need 2A added milled and roll in, compact and seal it. Triple seal will be good for many years. Piper, Ash, Locust (where the landslide was) and Manor will be tar and chipped. Mr. Kifer made a motion to advertise the whole job together, Mrs. Ralston seconded, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous. Mr. Artman asked if Parks Hill could be added. Mrs. Ralston also added that Garvers Ferry needs to be done before July for the DGLVR Grant. Mr. Artman asked about getting a loan for a new backhoe, Mrs. Ralston said we can check the infrastructure bank, Mr. Kifer said Elderton Bank. Mrs. Ralston said she would check once we got quotes for the backhoe. Mrs. Ralston made a motion to check into financing for a new backhoe, Mr. Kifer seconded it, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

 TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES-

Parks Committee-No quorum.

Planning Commission-The commission is working on the burning brochure and Road Data Base. They also have a tentative meeting for the comprehensive Plan with Leechburg, Bethel, Gilpin and Parks a tentative date for May 15, 2024, at 6:30pm.

OLD BUSINESS

Mrs. Ralston said a resolution needs to be signed for the steering committee for Regionalizing Police the next meeting is April 15, 2024, and she suggested a meeting every 2 weeks.

Kepple Hill Park Drainage is not finished yet. Mrs. Ralston said she thought it may need a fence around it. She said we will need to watch it.

The police vehicle has been delivered and will proceed with the other “upfitting”. Mr. Kifer asked if a Tonneau cover will be put on, the secretary said she will ask.

National Night Out will go on as planned on August 6, 2024.Mrs. Ralston made a motion for Mr. Kifer to head it, and Mr. Artman seconded it. Corporal Dubovi said they will send someone down to participate.

Nothing has been heard about the LSA Grant a representative did email and ask who will be maintaining the cameras and where will they be located. The secretary told him the supervisors will maintain and they will be at the community building.

Penn DOT was called to see about putting mirrors up at the corner of Pleasant View and Terrace on Kepple Hill. Penn DOT does not permit mirrors any longer. Mrs. Ralston said we would watch the situation.  

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Artman made a motion to accept Chief Lewis’s resignation, Mr. Kifer seconded it, and Mrs. Ralston made it unanimous, and we wish him well.

An email from PEMA was sent about a grant for the flooding on Dime Road. Mrs. Ralston said there is a match for that grant, and we did not have it in the budget. Mr. Kifer talked to the homeowners and told them he would contact our state rep Abby Majors and see what she could help with.

The new ordinance violation form was printed.

Mrs. Ralston said we would not have anything for the Community Development Block Grant.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to send the Amended Burning Ordinance to the solicitor for approval and then advertise. Mr. Kifer seconded it, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Corporal Thomas Dubovi gave the 2023 State Police call Report for Parks Township. 34 criminal calls and 41 arrests. He said he took another job in the Greensburg barracks, and his brother Tyler will be taking his place here in Armstrong County.

Harry Anderson said the maintenance crew missed half the culverts and the road is just a mess on Slate Point Road. Mr. Artman said he would be out to look at it.

Road signs for Slate Point and Ridge. They also asked about the speed limit. The township could put up watch children signs.

ADJOURNMENT

 The next Regular Monthly Meeting will be held on April 15, 2024, at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, North Vandergrift.

There being no further questions or comments, Mrs. Ralston moved to adjourn at 8:00 pm; Mr. Kifer seconded it, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

 Respectfully Submitted,

 Jeanna Cerra

Secretary-Treasurer