The Parks Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on June 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, 26 Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.

 MEMBERS PRESENT:  Gregory Artman, Chairman (absent)                     Scott Kifer, Member       

 Mary Ralston, Vice Chairman                                Jeanna Cerra, Secretary - Treasurer 

VISITORS:                          Mary Aikins, Jeff Retter, Rich Simpson, Marsha Dufour, Anthony Tvrdovsky, Mary Jane Tvrdovsky, Cindy Reilly, John Couslin, Mike Beir, Ken Reynolds, Gene Bell, Brian Szitas, Jamie Szitas, Mary Ann Croffut, Rich Croffut                        

 OTHERS PRESENT:    Officer William Weber  

 Mrs. Ralston called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Mr. Artman was not present.  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. 

Mr. Kifer made a motion to adopt the Minutes from the May 20, 2024, regular meeting; Mrs. Ralston               seconded it.  

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report for May 2024 Mr. Kifer seconded it.  Receipts for May were $238,591.10 and expenses were $69,338.75 leaving a total balance of $730,964.71 (General Fund –$184,063.17; Capital Fund – $178,359.16; State Fund - $344,986.66; Street Light Fund – $23,555.72)

Mr. Kifer made a motion to approve the Bill Payment List for May 17-June 13,2024 and Mrs. Ralston                              seconded it.   Each Supervisor stipulated that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or any member of his family.

 CORRESPONDENCE

Armsdale Center for Agriculture and Conservation sent a flyer for their Open House on July 11, 2024.

The Office of Open Records sent an email to review the township’s Right to Know Procedure. The policy does say we will not reply to anonymous, and requests must be on a request form from the township, or the state has a form also.

 STAFF REPORTS

Police Report – The secretary read the police report from May 1-31, 2024.

 Maintenance Crew- The crew has been patching and getting roads ready for the Summer Project. The township hired two new full-time employees for the maintenance crew. Mr. Kifer said the weeds going down Kepple Avenue need to be cut.

 TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES-

Parks Committee- The summer feeding program started June 17 in North Vandergrift. Two children attended and received lunch. Wednesday it will be on Kepple Hill and Friday at Kiskimere. No lunches on July 5, 2024, and the program will end on August 23, 2024.

Planning Commission- There was no quorum

OLD BUSINESS

Mrs. Ralston said the first stage of DCED study is completed for the Regional Police, the name will be Kiski Valley Regional Police Department. A new consultant will be given for the second stage, and at the next meeting they will work on a draft budget and a charter. At the last meeting it was announced that West Leechburg has withdrawn, and North Apollo is not interested. A public meeting will be held before the board makes any final decision on developing the department.

The Resolution to Raise Auditors Pay has been tabled

Mrs. Ralston said the crew needed to finish patching this week because the contractor will be here next week to start on Maple Road, the stone is already delivered there, after that they will tar and chip Piper, Ash, Locust and Manor.

 The township is still waiting to hear from the county to see about the grant and when they can start that project on Garvers Ferry Hill.

Mr. Kifer said we should talk to Leechburg to see about National Night Out and Officer Weber said to call Allegheny Township and see about joining at Northmoreland Park for NNO.

The secretary emailed Abby Major and she had not heard anything about the LSA grant yet.

The Amended ATV Ordinance (tabled)

Mrs. Ralston said the crew must finish the project on Garvers Ferry for the DGLVR Grant we received by August 1, 2024.

NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Ralston made a motion that after Mr. Artman looked over the ad the secretary can put it on the Municibid website to sell the 2015 Dodge Durango. Mr. Kifer seconded it.

Mrs. Ralston suggested the Backhoe quote be tabled because Mr. Artman was not able to attend June’s meeting.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion for the secretary to sign the Non-Building Waiver for James Caporali’s subdivision.

 PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Tvrdovsky said his neighbor has not cut grass this year and there is dog feces in the yard next to his and it smells bad. Officer Weber said the neighbor was sent a warning for the grass, but there is nothing that can be done about the dog feces if its on his own property.

Mr. Crofutt also has neighbors with high grass, junk cars and asked about quiet time and burning ordinances. Officer Weber said after warning they have 7-10 days to fix before a written letter is sent, then they have 30 days to fix the problem before they must go before the magistrate

Mr. Couslin also asked about ordinances and if he gets a warning and shows he is trying to take care of it is that taken into consideration.

Ms. Polka wants to know if the township can condemn a house. Mrs. Ralston said there are a lot of things to consider. The supervisors cannot just condemn a house. Parks Township does not have any zoning.

Mrs. Aikins said someone told her that a tree that fell on Oak Road was cut up and thrown into the creek and plugged up the pipe. Mrs. Ralston said she never received a call from 911 about a tree on Oak. The crew said they did not do that.

Ms. Polka said PennDOT cut trees growing out of grates without cleaning the grates out. Mr. Bell said call 1800-FIXROAD.

Mrs. Reilly asked about spraying the weeds going down Kepple Hill instead of cutting.

Mr. Bell asked about the lights in the park. Officer Weber said he will contact West Penn.

Mr. Bell also asked about the weeds on Grant.  

ADJOURNMENT

 The next Regular Monthly Meeting will be held July 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 8:08 pm; Mr. Kifer seconded it.    

 Respectfully Submitted,

 Jeanna Cerra

Secretary-Treasurer