CUMMINGS TOWNSHIP MEETING
NOVEMBER 11, 2014
The Cummings Township Board of Supervisors held a monthly meeting onNovember 11, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cummings Township Municipal Building, with John Gasperine, Thomas Thompson and James Mitcheltree present.
Also in attendance: Roadmaster Rick Bierlyand Dan Nestlerode of the Waterville Volunteer Fire Company
Public Participation:
Dan Nestlerode - Waterville Volunteer Fire Company
Dan Nestlerode of the Waterville Volunteer Fire Companythanked the Board for the $17,000 payment made to the Fire Company in lieu of the fire tax and apologized for the misinformation he provided to the Supervisors regarding the amount paid to the Fire Company in previous years.
He stated that the Fire Company received $14,483 in 2011 and $15,104 in 2012 and he was not sure of the amount received for the 2013 fiscal year. He explained that he had incorrectly entered $31,000 as being the amount received in 2013 and this was the reason for the discrepancy in the amount reported by the Fire Company.
Mr. Nestlerode alsoreported that the Fire Company has been having trouble with the air conditioner/heating unit installed by Superior Plus and have been in contact with Superior about the unit.
Recreation Committee
Resident Donna Bierly told the Board she was interested in serving on the Recreation Committee.
Supervisor Thompsonmade a motion to appoint Donna Bierly to the Recreation Committee, seconded by Supervisor Mitcheltree; MCU.
Board’s Approval of Meeting Minutes:
Supervisor Thompson made a motion to approve the October 14, 2014 meeting minutes as presented; seconded by Supervisor Mitcheltree; MCU.
Board’s Approval of Treasurer’s Report:
Supervisor Mitcheltree made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented; seconded by SupervisorThompson; MCU.
Zoning Officer’s Report:
Chairman Gasperine gave the Zoning Officer’s Report in the absence of Zoning Officer Wolfe who was unable to be present due to health reasons.
- Ralph Hershberger – 6 month camper placement on lot below Second and Third Streets (on hold – conditions not met)
- Gene Feerrar – metal 18’ x 18’ storage shed at 2 Acorn Drive campground (application made but the permit has not been issued)
- Troy Musser – 16’ x 31’ living room and 8’ x 16’ deck at 2790 Little Pine Creek Road
- Gene Feerrar – enclose a 10 x 10’ portion of a 10’ x 20’ open deck at 16 Acorn Drive campground (application has been made but permit has not been issued)
- Gene Feerrar – adding a 20’ x 20’ carport for the manager’s home at Black Bear Drive #2 (application has been made but permit has not been issued)
- Ryan VanHorn – new roof at 180 Second Street (on hold, conditions not met)
Roadmaster’s Report
Roadmaster Rick Bierly presented the Roadmaster’s Report as follows:
Projects completed October 25, 2014–November 7, 2014:
- Checked roads and removed debris caused by heavy winds;
- Rick Bierly and Mike Myers attended training – “Drainage – The key to roads that last;
- Installed snow plow and spreader on truck;
- Hauled sweeper broom to scrap yard – received $64;
- Installed straight blade on tractor for snow removal;
- Replaced door seal on truck bay door with new rubber seal;
- Placed delineator post at headwalls on Dam Run Road for new snow route;
- Completed practice run with truck, spreader and plow with Mike Myers, John Brown. Planning to go over routes with Jim Mitcheltree this week;
Projects to be completed:
- Order cinders and stock pile in cinder bin;
- Snow removal operations
- 2015 Budget – purchase 12 pipes to install on six areas on Dam Run Road;
- Replace 48” x 60’ pipe on Dam Run Road;
- Eroding bank repairs on Dam Run Road;
- Purchase mower
2015 Road Maintenance Budget
The Board discussed the amount appropriated for the 2015 Maintenance Budget with Roadmaster Bierly as well as the projects listed in the Roadmaster’s Report to be completed.
Chairman Gasperine stated that during the Budget Work Session held October 31st, the Board of Supervisors agreed to appropriate $25,000 for the 2015 Maintenance Budget.
Roadmaster Bierly requested $30,000 for the road maintenance budget to cover the cost of upcoming projects and any unforeseen maintenance work.
It was the consensus of the Board of Supervisors that $25,000 be appropriated for the 2015 Maintenance Budget and the Board would consider additional funding for unforeseen road maintenance projects on a case by case basis.
The Board of Supervisors discussed replacing pipe in six areas of Dam Run Road during the 2015 fiscal year and Roadmaster Bierly pointed out that two sections of pipe would be needed for each of the six areas and would require the purchase of 12 – 15” x 20’ pipes.
The Board of Supervisors also decided not to replace the 48’ x 60’ steel pipe on Dam Run Road during 2015 as had been recommended by the Soil & Conservation District since the Township will not be receiving funds through the Dirt and Gravel Road Program. The Supervisors suggested that Roadmaster Bierly remove this item from the project list.
The Board of Supervisors discussed the proposed 5% increase in wages for all employees noting that the increase is included in the 2015 Preliminary Budget.
Roadmaster Bierly presented a quote from Walt’z for a 48” Husquevarna mower through the State contract and stated Lowe’s had one riding mower for $2,795.
A discussion was held and it was the consensus of the Board to table discussion on purchasing a riding mower until next year.
Old Business:
Vacant Township Auditor Positions
The matter was tabled to the December meeting.
2012 Audit
Chairman Gasperine reported that he met with representatives from Klein & Rizzo about the 2012 Audit which has been completed. During the meeting they discussed how much time the audit required explaining that part of the problem was that many of the entries made in QuickBooks were entered incorrectly.
Klein & Rizzo has requested that the Township Treasurer make the accounting adjustments from the 2012 Audit and then go through all the 2013 entries and make corrections as needed prior to Klein & Rizzo startingthe 2013 auditto help reduce the amount of time required to complete the audit.
Chairman Gasperine said he believes the Board should request that the Treasurer Macklem go through and “clean up” the entries made in 2013 to help make the audit process go more smoothly. He recommended that the Treasurer be compensated for this additional work as it is above and beyond her normal duties, adding that Klein & Rizzo was not interested in making the adjustments.
Supervisor Thompson said he believes it is in the Township’s best interest to have the Treasurer go in and make the adjustments to the entries and compensate her for the time it takes to make the adjustments.
Treasurer Macklem requested $15.55 per hour to do the additional work based on hourly rates provided in the 2014 PSATS Annual Compensation Survey.
Supervisor Thompson made a motion that Township Treasurer Darlene Macklem be compensated at the rate of $15.55 per hour to go through and make adjustments to the entries made in 2013 as recommended by Klein & Rizzo in order to make the records auditable; seconded by Supervisor Mitcheltree; MCU.
Chairman Gasperine also said that during the meeting withKlein & Rizzo that they indicated that their office had a lot of hours in the 2012 Audit that they did not invoice the Township for noting that the Township may be billed for these additional hours at some point in the future.
Township Park
The Board discussed the proposal presented to the Township by Dave Ely of George Ely & Associates for playground equipment with the cost for the project being estimated at $120,000.
Chairman Gasperine said from what he understands the prices from Ely & Associates on the playground equipment are good through December 12, 2012 adding that the next Township meeting is on December 9th. He is hopeful that the Recreation Committee will hold a meeting prior to the township meeting and make their recommendation to the Supervisors in order for the Board to approve purchasing the equipment.
He explained that the playground equipment pricing provided by Mr. Ely was under State contract pricing and that George Ely & Associates are offering an additional discount if the equipment is ordered by December 12th. Basically the company offers additional discounts in order to keep employees working during the winter months.
A discussion was held regarding the possibility of obtaining additional quotes for the playground equipment and it was the consensus of the Board to make its decision based on the recommendation of the Recreation Committee at the December Township Meeting.
Second Street Property Building Demolition
Chairman Gasperine reported that the Board received a letter from the Township Solicitor with a copy of a letter he received from Howard Langdon, Attorney for William Farnsworth, owner of the property on Second Street, asking for an extension of timeto March 1, 2015 to demolish the building on that property.
A discussion was held and it was the consensus of the Board that an extension be given to Mr. Farnsworth until March 1, 2015 and if the work is not completed by March 1st, the Township will have the building demolished and he will be assessed for demolition fees and/or a lien will be placed on the property.
Chairman Gasperine agreed to contact the Township Solicitor advising him of the Board’s position and requesting that a letter be sent to Attorney Langdon outlining said position.
New Business:
Preliminary Approval of 2015 Budget
Supervisor Mitcheltree made a motion to give preliminary approval of the 2015 Budget as presented; seconded by Supervisor Thompson; MCU.
Resolution 11.11.2014 – Appointment of Klein & Rizzo to perform 2014 Audit
Supervisor Mitcheltree made a motion to approve Resolution 11.11.2014 appointing the accounting firm of Klein & Rizzo to perform the 2014 Audit; seconded by Supervisor Thompson; MCU.
McHenry Township Request – Rental of Equipment
Paul Hoffmaster of McHenry Township sent an email to the Township asking if the Board would consider renting/contracting to McHenry Township the use of the Township tractor and flail mower along with a qualified operator. They are planning to mow the roadside brush along Truman Run in McHenry Township during the upcoming closure of Truman Run.
A discussion was held regarding the request and the amount to charge McHenry Township for the equipment and noted that McHenry Township would be responsible for transporting the equipment to and from Truman Run.
It was agreed that the Township Secretary contact the Township’s insurance provider to ensure coverage on the township equipment while it is being utilized in McHenry Township.
It was the consensus of the Board to charge McHenry Township $400 per day for the equipment which would include an equipment operator and fuel and McHenry Township would be responsible for transporting the equipment to and from the worksite utilizing the Township’s trailer.
Invoices
Supervisor Thompson made a motion to approve payment of the invoices as submitted; seconded by Supervisor Mitcheltree; MCU.
There being no further business, Supervisor Mitcheltree made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Supervisor Thompson; MCU.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Darlene S. Macklem,
Secretary/Treasurer