Stouchsburg, PA
Thursday, July 30 2015
The monthly meeting of the Marion Township Board of Supervisors was held in the Municipal Building with Supervisors Harold I. Manbeck, Franklin M. Troutman and Roy H. Zartman, Secretary Susan L. Stum,Attorney Andrew George,Engineer Jim McCarthy and other interested persons. Chairman Harold I. Manbeck called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
The minutes of the June 25, 2015 Board of Supervisors meeting were distributed to the board members prior to the meeting. Roy H. Zartman made a motion to approve the June 25, 2015 minutes. Harold I. Manbeck seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Franklin M. Troutman, seconded by Roy H. Zartman to pay the July bills. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
JULY2015 BILL LIST
GENERAL ACCOUNT
B&B Cleaning409.37clean building $ 75.00
Barley Snyder LLC404.31attorney at Zoning Hearing 501.80
Comcast400.32phone & fax 155.26
Computerized Rpting Services404.31stenographer at zoning hearing 160.00
County of Berks 411/412.53radios for Fire & EMS 9,195.21
Edwards Business systems405.20annual maintenance contract 571.85
E.J. Breneman, L.P.433.20signs & posts 503.60
Fulton Bank406.39bank charges 25.00
John Deere Financial437.25supplies and labor 253.81
Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys404.31professional services 3,023.50
Kraft Code Services LLC414.31zoning administration 10,986.41
Martin Appliance409.26AC for office 269.95
McCarthy Engineering Assoc.429.00414.30 sewage enforcement & engineering services 10,144.91
Met-Ed409.36/451.30electric-bldg & playground 117.73
PA DCED414.30permit fees 60.00
Petty Cash400.23postage 10.38
Ray W. Moyer, Inc.409.37repair pipes under floor 1,069.00
Reading Eagle Company400.34sealed bid proposal for road project 329.10
Reading Eagle Company400.34secretary/Admin Assist ad 302.97
State Workers’ Insurance Fund411.54fire company workers comp insurance 601.00
Tomlinson Bomberger451.30spray waterway, playground & tennis court 565.59
Tulpehocken Township410.30police services 3,677.70
Bills Subtotal $ 42,599.77
Leon M. Brubakerwages $ 98.80
Harold I. Manbeckmeeting pay 317.81
Kevin C. Sattazahnwages 261.10
Susan Stumwages 660.81
Franklin M. Troutmanmeeting pay 259.07
Roy H. Zartmanmeeting pay 264.84
JetPayfee for payroll service 514.72
AD Computer Corppayroll withholding & taxes 22.00 Total Payroll # 14 $ 2,399.15
Leon M. Brubakerwages $ 105.86
Eileen P. Heydtcommission 275.43
Harold I. Manbeckwages 813.72
Kevin C. Sattazahnwages 339.68
Susan Stumwages 514.58
JetPayfee for payroll service 22.00
AD Computer Corppayroll withholding & taxes 563.05
Total Payroll # 15 $ 2,634.32
Leon M. Brubakerwages $ 211.70
Eileen P. Heydtcommission 18.41
Kevin C. Sattazahnwages 467.93
Susan Stumwages 567.47
JetPayfee for payroll service 22.00
AD Computer Corppayroll withholding & taxes 383.91
Total Payroll # 16 $ 1,671.42
Total Bill Payments $ 49,304.66
STATE AID ACCOUNT
Pennsy Supply, Inc.438.0022.54 tons Bond-X Green Cold Patch$ 2,322.74
STREET LIGHT ACCOUNT
Met Ed434.00street light payment $ 464.97
Public Comment
Albert Ferrindino, 55 Main Street,questioned the $10,144.91 McCarthy Engineering Associates bill. Secretary Susan Stumsaid part of the expense was for McCarthy Engineering Associates to prepare a Low Volume Road Grant for which we can possibly receive over $100,000 for road repairs. Most other amounts for our engineering and zoning expenses are reimbursed by the collection of building and zoning fees. Mr. Ferrindino said that the township should pay for the entire sewage system and the residents could pay it back over one hundred years.
David McCall, 42 Main Street said that on July 15, 2015 there was another Town Hall Meeting and the C.A.G.E. group will continue its fight, and that there had been an article in the newspaper.
Kelly Cox, 541 Richland Road, questioned mowing grass on Richland Road. She wondered why it was done twice. She also said a reflector on the Richland Road Bridge had been knocked down. Chairman Harold I. Manbeck said that the mowing was not completed in one day and that a second operator finished the job. He said that the reflector had been knocked down before he mowed.
Edna Marderness, 412 Water Street, asked why the snowplows are outside. She said that previous supervisors always put them away.
Items forDiscussion:
- Building-repair of the floor - Supervisor Roy H. Zartman said Harold I. Manbeck stopped the plumber from finishing work on the floor because he did not let him test the boiler system for leaks. Roy H. Zartman had also contracted an insurance adjustor who came to inspect the floor. The insurance company approved a claim for $8,568.74to repair the wood floor in the Meeting Room by replacing the damaged wood and sanding and finishing the floor and replacing the carpet in the Office. Roy H. Zartman made a motion for the Board to give him authorization to finish the floor with much of the work done by volunteers. Franklin M. Troutman seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Furnace- Roy H. Zartman made a motion to get an engineer to design a heating system. Franklin M. Troutman seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Sign-Tim Pajski has received two quotes to replace the Township sign that fell apart. Brown’s Signs quoted $495 and Horst Signs quoted $581.80. A motion was made by Harold I. Manbeck to hire Brown’s Signs to make a new sign for the township. Franklin M. Troutman seconded the motion. . On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Smoking- Solicitor Andrew George drafted an ordinance prohibiting smoking on municipal public property in the township. A motion was made by Franklin M. Troutman, seconded by Harold I. Manbeck to authorize Solicitor Andrew George to advertise the ordinance to prohibit smoking ontownship property. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
- Spraying Contract –Tomlinson Bomberger contacted Harold I. Manbeck and said that they may be able to do the sprayingnext Tuesday.
- The Township received an application for review of the Justin Hurst Poultry Barn Project. The Planning Commission had reviewed the plan and recommended that the Board of Supervisors grant waivers subject to three conditions: (1) erosion control approved by the Berks County Conservation District, (2) storm water approval from the township engineer,and (3) a storm water maintenance agreement. A motion was made by Franklin M. Troutman, seconded by Roy H. Zartman to grant waivers when conditions are met.On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
- Road Project for 2015-The Road Project for 2015 is to tar and chip up to ten (10) roads in the township. The completion date is September 30, 2015. Bids were opened at the July 25, 2015 Workshop Meeting. The township received one bid from Martin Paving, Inc. The unit price is $2.74 SY. Jordan Martin from Martin Paving, Inc. answered questions about paving and recommended that the township do as much as possible. Roy asked about boxing out roads. Mr. Martin replied that it could be done in the future. Art McGonigle asked how long the roads will last. Dave Weaver asked if there is a company to cut gutters. Roadmaster Franklin M. Troutman said that hardly any of the Township roads have a sealing coat on them and that is why they are gettingso bad. Connie Manbeck expressed a concern about gutters that are not cleaned out. Martin Paving, Inc. would like to start in the middle of August. A motion to award the project to Martin Paving, Inc. for up to $179,301.49 (one half the project total of $358,602.98) was made by Franklin M. Troutman, seconded by Harold I. Manbeck. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-nay. The motion carried.
- Dirt, Gravel & Low Volume Roads-The Township applied for a Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Grant from the Berks Conservation District. Township Engineer Jim McCarthy prepared grants that were presented to the Board of the Berks County Conservation District at their July 29, 2015 Meeting. At that meeting, grants were awarded forKatterman Hill Road and School Road and the committee actually added improvements over what they actually said they would do and they want the grant amended as well as the remaining grants.The supervisors need to authorize getting three bids. Since it is under $19,800, they do not have to do public bidding. The township also needs an E & S plan and to havean erosion control plan approved. It was brought to the Township’s attention that there will be an Ag Tour in Marion Township on October 10, 2015 and that School Road and Church Road should be kept open on that date. The amended grants will be reviewed at the August meeting of the Conservation District. A motion to have Engineer Jim McCarthy amend and resubmit the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Grants was make by Franklin M. Troutman, and seconded by Harold I. Manbeck . On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried.
- A letter of complaint was received about the speed limit on Richland Road. The speed limit is currently 40 MPH, and a resident is requesting that it be lowered to 25 MPH. A Speed Limit Study completed in 1995 calculated the safe-running speed at 32.5 MPH and recommended that the speed be lowered to 35 MPH. A motion to authorize Solicitor Andrew George to draft an amendment to the ordinance to lower the speed on Richland Road to 35 MPH was made by Franklin M. Troutman and seconded by Harold I. Manbeck. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried.
- The Winter Maintenance Agreement with Penn Dot for winter maintenance on Christmas Village Road must be signed. A motion was made by Harold I. Manbeck and seconded by Franklin M. Troutman to authorize Franklin M. Troutman to sign the agreement. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried.
- Line Painting. Roadmaster Franklin M. Troutman has contacted the line painting company to get on their list to paint lines on township road in 2015.
- A complaint was called into the Office about corn planted close to Stouchsburg Road and blocking the view at intersections. Roadmaster Franklin M. Troutman said the corn has been cut back.
- Clear Spring Egg Farm-David Weaver wants to put up a shed. He is requesting land development and storm water waivers. The Planning Commission approved recommending that the Board of Supervisors grant waivers for storm water and land development along with the addition of stone drip-edge infiltration trench. At this point in time, the conditionhas been met. A motion was made by Roy H. Zartman and seconded by Franklin M. Troutman to grant waivers for storm water and land development. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried.
- Tulpa-Canal Farm-Anthony Martin wants to put up a feed storage/multi-use building on his farm at 455 Canal Road. He is requesting anddevelopment and storm water waivers. The Planning Commission approved requesting that the Board of Supervisors grant a land development waiver and a partial storm water waiversubject to a 2X2 FT stone trenchdown both sides of the building. A motion was made by Franklin M. Troutman, seconded by Roy H. Zartman to grant a land development waiver and a partial storm water waiver subject to addition of the trench.On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried.
12.SALDO process for Agriculture-At the July 21st Planning Commission Meeting a discussion ensued about how to streamline the process for agriculture. The discussion will continue at the next Planning Commission Meeting.
- Jim McCarthy sent a letter to the Township stating that Landmark has not done anything about fire protection and that the person who was supposed to resolve this for Landmark has resigned. Engineer Jim McCarthy said that the pond is not functioning as it should and this should be addressed. Fire Chief Darryl Brubaker said the pond is fine. Engineer Jim McCarthy will send a letter to Landmarkto ask them to make the pond function properly.
Supervisor’s Comments
Harold I. Manbeck- is proposing widening School Road from Route 419 to approximately one mile west. Engineer Jim McCarthy presented a drawing that showed two options. He estimates that it may cost $300,000. A motion to have Engineer Jim McCarthy prepare and advertise the bids for approximately one mile of School Road starting at Route 419 and going west was made by Harold I. Manbeck. Franklin M. Troutman seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motioncarried.
Roy H. Zartman –Where is the scrap metal? Harold I Manbeck said that he brought it all back. Roy H. Zartman said that the cylinder is missing. Harrold said that he did not take it.
Franklin M. Troutman had no comments.
Solicitor’s Comments-Solicitor Andrew George said that he has prepared various documents for the Marion Township Community Association. The next step is to apply for tax exempt status.
Secretary/Treasurer Comments-Secretary Susan L. Stum wants the Township to know that Solicitor Andrew George did much of the Community Association work gratuitously. She also said the Engineer Jim McCarthy put together all our Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Grantsand did an excellent job of preparing the grants given a short period of time.
Additional Public Comment:
Albert Ferrindino, 55 Main Street, asked where the water from the new Dental Office (formerly the Stouchsburg Nursery) will flow to. He wants to know when the Township will put in the pipe that wouldalleviate the flooding into back yards and cellars of the residents in the area east of Marion Drive.
Tim Pajski, 49 Main Street, asked about placing a donated shed for tools on Township property. The shed is approximately 8x10 feet. No permit is required. A motion to place a shed for tools where the sandbox used to be located was made by Roy H. Zartman and seconded by Franklin M. Troutman. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Kelly Cox asked if there has been any tree trimming lately.
Connie Manbeck mentioned that the environmentalists say that tree trimming may disturb bats in trees.
A resident of Main Street, Stouchsburg wondered if anything can be done about the mess at the motel at 4050 Conrad Weiser Parkway. There is old furniture piled in front of the building.
The Board of Supervisors went into an Executive Session to discuss personnel issues at 8:54 PM.
The Board of Supervisors came out of the Executive Session at 9:10 PM.
A motion to hire Jason Lee Brown for the part-time Secretary/Treasurer position at $17 per hour, to work from 9 AM until 2 PM Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings, and other time as required to complete the job with no medical coverage was make by Roy H. Zartman. Franklin M. Troutman seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Roy H. Zartman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Franklin M. Troutman seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Harold-aye, Franklin-aye, Roy-aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan L. Stum, Township Secretary