News

Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – December 21, 2010

Rush Township Municipal Building

Hometown, Pa  18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

The monthly meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chairman Stephen W. Simchak at 6 o’clock p.m.  Those in attendance were Vice-Chairman Shawn Gilbert, Supervisor Robert Leibensperger, Corporal Duane Frederick, Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville, and Administrative Assistant/Assistant Treasurer Marie Skripnek.  There were approximately nineteen people in attendance and one reporter.  The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited. Light refreshments were served.

Public Comment

Charles Barnes- asked the Board to consider adopting an ordinance to use the rules and regulations of NESJMA where they serve the area.  A copy of NESJMA’s ordinance will be given to Attorney Yurchak to review and report back to the Supervisors.  Mr. Barnes and the NESJMA Board would like to meet with the Rush Township Supervisors to talk about the $4,000 in dispute from a few years prior.

Joe Shamonsky – wanted to know if the township has a manager now as was stated by the Times News in a photo caption.

Marion Lazur – asked for the municipal reports to be read.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept the police report and all municipal reports and place them on file for public review.   Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.  Ms. Lazur asked for the correspondence to be read.  Ms. Conville mentioned the following correspondence received up to date:

1.  Letter from the Schuylkill County Historical Society

2.  Letter from Mauch Chunk Trust

3.  Letter from Tamaqua Public Library

4.  Township Today quarterly newsletter

5.  PSATS News Bulletin

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to put the correspondence on file for the public.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Donna and William Yatcilla – Laurel Wood Street – Mr. Yatcilla stated that he has been cutting the dead tree limbs and branches up as they fall down around his property lines.  A police officer came to their door and told them the debris was on township property and had to be cleaned up.   Supervisors’ Gilbert and Leibensperger got into a lengthy discussion over the tree cutting incident.   Mr. Yatcilla is also concerned about a sign not being at the bottom of the hill.

Barry Messerschmidt – asked if we could call the County about the recycling bins.  Please ask residents not to leave their recycling items at the site if the bins are filled.  Mr. Messerschmidt will put up a sign to this affect.

Joe Shamonsky – asked if perhaps the garbage company could pick up the excess recyclables.

Cathy Schimpf – asked difference between contract A & contract B. The engineer noted that contract A is Rush Township’s portion and contract B is Silberline’s portion and they will be absorbing those costs.   Ms. Schimpf also asked if we were separating sanitary sewer from any storm-water work that is being done.

Opening of Bids- Contract A (Rush Township) & Contract B (Silberline) – see attached bid sheet

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to turn over the bids to our engineer and possibly award them at our next meeting.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  Motion carried.  Ms. Kowalonek noted for the record that no bids were received from the following contractors: BP Paterson, Inc., Fehlinger Construction Group, LLC, Hazleton Site Contractors, and Penn Earthworks, Incorporated.   Simchak also stated that the lowest total bid will be awarded the contracts.  According to the quick calculations of our engineer, Jennifer Kowalonek, the lowest bidder appears to be Grand Prix Excavating at $327,010.00.

Minutes of meetings – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the minutes of previous meetings, November 16th, November 22nd, and December 15, 2010.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.   Ms. Conville polled the Board.   Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve November 30th treasurer’s report.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.   Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  Motion carried.

Approval of current township and sewer bills for December, 2010 – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve all township and sewer bills for the month of December, 2010.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert asked Chairman Simchak about the check he received for mileage reimbursement.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.    Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  Motion carried.

Attorney’s Business – no report

Old Business – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to have our Attorney  proceed on action against Arro on the Road & Storm-water Capital Improvements Plan of April, 2008 for non completion.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.   Ms. Conville polled the Board.    Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert voted no.  Motion carried.

Announcements

Ms. Skripnek read the following announcements:

  1.  Thank you to Dino Ciccozzi owner of Woods & Things Tree Farm for donating the beautiful Christmas tree that we have.
  2. E-Mail received from Schuylkill County Solicitor, Eric Mika, commenting on our excellent work for our web-site and first newsletter.
  3. Thank you to everyone who donated Toys for Tots and food to the Salvation Army
  4. Thank you to the volunteers who helped set up the police holding cell.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert wanted to know if the holding cell was put together backwards.
  5. Thank you to the volunteers and staff members who helped set up the new map room located in the municipal building.

Chairman Simchak thanked everyone for coming, wished them a Merry Christmas and adjourned the meeting at 6:50p.m.

Transcribed & Attested

Terri Conville – Secretary/Treasurer

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