Parks Township

Board of Supervisors

February 12, 2018

The Parks Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on February 12, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, 26 Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.

MEMBERS PRESENT:            F. L. Shannon, Chairman                                                                                               Thomas M. Filo, III, Vice-Chairman                                                                                                     Gregory Artman, Member                                                                                            Mary E. Ralston, Secretary-Treasurer

VISITORS PRESENT:             Jeff Retter, Joe Seren, Brenda Milliman, Jay Start, Debbie Belles, Rod Artman

OTHERS PRESENT:                Chief Doug Ciuca, Parks Township Police

Mr. Shannon called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Copies of the Agenda, Minutes, Treasurer's Report, and Bill Payment List were posted on the bulletin board for review.  Public comments will be taken at the end of the meeting.  Mrs. Ralston was taping the meeting.

Mr. Filo made a motion to adopt the Minutes of the December 18, 2017 and the January 2, 2018 Reorganization and Regular meetings.   Mr. Artman seconded the motion.  The Minutes will stand as presented.

Mr. Filo moved to accept  the Treasurer's Report for December 2017 and January 2018; Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Shannon made the vote unanimous.  Mrs. Ralston reported that for 2017 there was a net increase in the Police Pension Fund of $124,368.03.  First Commonwealth Investors did not include an Investment Policy with the original paperwork completed January 2017; therefore, they provided a copy for the Supervisors to sign and backdate to January 2017.  This is required for the Actuarial Report due March 31, 2018. Receipts for December were $39,530.75 and expenditures were $46,355.58 leaving a total balance of $152,328.08 (General Fund - $68,312.25;   State Fund - $70,327.48; and Street Light Fund - $13,688.35).  Receipts for January were $18,527.41 and expenditures were $57,049.86 leaving a total balance of $113,805.63 (General Fund - $33,146.52; State Fund - $67,921.78; and Street Light Fund - $12,737.33).

Mr. Filo made a motion to approve the Bill Payment List for January 1 thru February 7, 2018; Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Shannon made the vote unanimous.  Each Supervisor stipulated that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or to any member of his family.

At the January meeting, the Board members requested some changes be made to Bill Payment Resolution #2-2018.  Mr. Filo moved to adopt the revised Resolution #2-2018; Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Shannon made the vote unanimous.

CORRESPONDENCE

KVWPCA sent a copy of their November 15, 2017 and December 20, 2017 Minutes.

PTMA sent a copy of their November 28, 2017 and December 26, 2017 Minutes.

Peoples Gas sent a letter requesting our 2018 schedule for road paving and surface restoration requirements for street openings and parallel installations in an effort to better coordinate construction activities and minimize potential damage to newly paved roadways; they would like the information by March 31, 2018.  Mr. Shannon clarified that we do have an ordinance outlining the requirements for restoring the road surface.

Ms. Jeanne Englert, Director of the Armstrong County Tax Claim Bureau, sent certification of the 2017 delinquent taxes returned by Tax Collector Amy Perroz.   A total of $38,307.42, including penalties,  was returned for the Township.

Dirt & Gravel ESM Training will be held on March 28 and 29, 2018 at Mars PA.  The Board will send Mr. Burkett to the training as his certification expires this year. 

Rep. Joe Petrarca sent information on Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Grant Programs.

The Armstrong County Department of Tax Revenue sent the supplement to the Real Estate Tax Duplicate for 2018; the new amount is $38,025,353.

The Armstrong County Commissioners will hold a free presentation on effective municipal ordinances used in tackling blighted properties on March 7, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Banquet Room at the Belmont Complex.  Anyone interested should RSVP to Ms. Brigid Beatty, County Planning and Development, by February 28, 2018.

Ms. Amy Perroz, Tax Collector, notified the Supervisors that she has reappointed Ms. Deborah D. Belles as Deputy Tax Collector.   Ms. Belles would collect and settle taxes during any incapacitation of Ms. Perroz.

STAFF REPORTS  

Police Report - Mrs. Ralston read the Police Report for January 1 thru January 31, 2018.

Maintenance Crew - Mr. Shannon and Mr. Artman reported that the Crew plowed snow, ashed roads, cleaned drops, cut up trees, and tried to keep the trucks running.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES

Parks Committee - Ms. Belles reported that the Committee met with Ms. Meredith Bailey, Kiski Area School District, and they are permitting Parks Township to participate in their Summer Lunch Program.  Last year lunches were offered at the Kiskimere and North Vandergrift parks.  The Committee requested permission to also use Kepple Hill park this year.  Mr. Shannon said the Board had no objection.  Ms. Jeanna Cerra  sent a letter of resignation from the Parks Committee.  Mr. Artman moved to accept her resignation and Mr. Filo seconded it.  Mr. Artman then made a motion to appoint Ms. Brenda Milliman, who had been an alternate on the Committee, to serve the remainder of Ms. Cerra's term.  Mr. Filo seconded it.  Mr. Baylee Summerhill will be returning in May as a seasonal worker for the summer months.  The Committee will inspect the Parks in April.

Planning Commission - The February meeting was cancelled.

OLD BUSINESS

Pump Station Road Update - The Board instructed the Secretary to contact Senate Engineering to give an opinion as to the most cost effective way to do the Pump Station Road bridge. 

UCC - Mrs. Ralston reported on the UCC meeting held January 10, 2018.  Nothing has changed with the  appeals; there may be ones for the Kiski Twp. Fire Dept. Social Hall, and the Armstrong Junior/Senior High School in Manor Township.  The permit fee required by the State increased from $4.00 to $4.50 .  There is no new third party legislation yet.   The Group voted to remove Ford Cliff and cancel their membership because they had not attended any meetings in 2017.  Mr. Grant Kanish sent a copy of a letter that was sent to a resident that has not paid for their permit to install a pool; if not paid within ten days, Bureau Veritas will commence legal proceedings.

County Aid Applications - Mr. Shannon talked with Mr. Tom Swisher about using grant money for the shovel-ready project we have.  We sent in two applications and the one for Kepple Hill for the roads that we prepared last year was denied;  they have offered us funding for the Multi-Modal project for 2019, but since they got the money early they want us to do that project this year.  Mr. Swisher will be asked to meet with the Supervisors; Mr. John Poproch of PennDot will also be asked to attend.

Update on Dime Building Lights - Mr. Artman made a motion to have Mr. George Suppers install a total of 4 lights in the Dime Building; Mr. Filo seconded it and Mr. Shannon made the vote unanimous.  Mr. Suppers will also install a switch at the back door to operate the lights.

Vacancy Board Position - Mr. Ike Summerhill accepted the position on the Vacancy Board for 2018.

NEW BUSINESS

Advertise for Bids:  Jackson Street/Alley LVR Project - The Board decided to get quotes for the project as the cost will be under the bid threshold.  A pre-construction meeting will be set up with Mr. Gregg Smith and interested contractors.

Reservation of Community Building for the 2018 Election - Mr. Filo moved to reserve the Community Building for the General Primary on May 15, 2018 and the General Election on November 6, 2018.  Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Shannon made the vote unanimous.

Truck Purchase - Mr. Artman made a motion to purchase a truck, accepting the lowest price through Costars; Mr. Shannon seconded it and Mr. Filo made the vote unanimous.  The old plow and spreader will be used.  Mr. Artman will collect all the information and quotes, to determine the best price on a truck equipped with all the specs they want, plus the bed, hydraulics, etc.  We can spend up to $82,000 from the State Fund without going through the Unit Debt Act.

Dime Building:  Water Cooler; Time Clock - Mr. Filo made a motion to have Pine Hollow Springs II install a water cooler in the Dime Building; Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Shannon made the vote unanimous.  Mr. Artman moved to purchase a new time clock and Mr. Filo seconded it as long as we can use the same time cards.

Tourist Bureau 2018 Membership - Mr. Filo made a motion not to join the Tourist Bureau this year; Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Shannon made the vote unanimous.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Jeff Retter informed the Supervisors that Locust Road is still sliding.  The Supervisors discussed what was done before and will look at it to determine what can be done to fix it.  The original plan had been changed and obviously didn't correct the problem.  Mr. Artman stated that this time when something is put on paper, it is not going to change; they were supposed to put big rock in and that wasn't done.   Mr. Shannon agreed with him and told Mr. Retter they will be out to look at the slide.

Mr. Jay Start announced that the fish dinners  start Wednesday, February 14th, for $10.00 each.

Mr. Jeff Retter stated the Township is doing a good job this year.  Ms. Belles and Ms. Milliman agreed that the Crew was doing a good job this winter.

ADJOURNMENT

The next regular meeting will be held on April 16, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, North Vandergrift.  There  being no further questions or comments, Mr. Filo moved to adjourn at 7:56 pm and Mr. Artman seconded it.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary E. Ralston                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Secretary-Treasurer