News

Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – August 16,2011

Rush Township Municipal Building
Hometown, PA  18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

The 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, and Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville.    There were approximately fifteen people in attendance and two reporters.   The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.

Announcement – Community Day
Barry Messerschmidt stated that the Bicentennial Committee will be having a Community Day Celebration on Sunday, August 28th at the municipal building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Polka Joe will be broadcasting live.  There will be displays set up from area businesses, a historical exhibit about the township, a health screening by St. Luke’s, children’s activities, fire trucks, township vehicles, free refreshments and door prizes.  Please stop by and support your community.  We hope to make this a yearly event.   Chairman Simchak thanked Barry, all the Bicentennial Committee members, and staff for their hard work throughout this year planning events for our Bicentennial.

Public Comment
1.  Marion Lazur –wanted to know the purchase price of the new police vehicle.  Leibensperger stated the purchase price is $30,180.14 thru the Co Stars program. A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the purchase of a 2011 Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptor from KME Kovatch Organization thru the Co-Stars program for $30,180.14.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Gilbert and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Simchak voted no, carried.
Ms. Lazur also asked to hear the correspondence received.  Ms. Conville mentioned the following as correspondence:
1.  Letter from John Selby about debris along Dennison Street
2.  Letter from Signal Service, Incorporated noting areas of traffic safety within the township.
3.  Letter from Marion J. Lazur calling our attention to the fact that Senate bill 1100 being proposed would centralize zoning in the state.  Ms. Lazur is urging the Supervisors and the public to contact their state officials to vote no for the passage of this bill.
4.  PSATS Township Legal Defense Partnership newsletter
5.  Letter from Dept of Environmental Protection noting the annual bond review for the Mazaika Coal Company Operation
6.  Letter from Mauch Chunk Trust listing their pledge requirements
7. Letter from Congressman Holden noting the federal funds received for traffic mitigation & safety projects on Rts 209 & 309
8.  Letter from Silberline stating they are submitting to the PADEP an application for plan approval to construct, modify or reactivate an air contamination source.
9.  Our Pa road salt contract for the upcoming winter season lists salt for $66.42 per ton for Sch. County.  This is an increase of $2.01 per ton from last year.
10.  Letter from Lake Hauto Club extending their sincere appreciation for the township’s assistance during the catastrophic storm on July 7, 2011.
11.  PSATS News Bulletin for July
12.  Email newsletter from the Tamaqua Chamber
13.  Email from Dan Whetstone inquiring about a solar panel project.
14.  Email from Paula Konsavage about water that runs across South Road
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept the correspondence received for the month and place it 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.
2. Charlie Shamonsky – wanted to know if there is a solar project in the works for the Rush Elementary School, what that area is zoned, and if that is allowed.  Leibensperger stated that the township has not received anything from our zoning or building inspectors and the classification for zoning in that area will be checked.
3. Barry Messerschmidt – asked all in attendance if they are prepared for a disaster. He explained to the Board and the public that he is trying to plan a seminar for the fall on being prepared for a disaster and what items to have on hand.  He will contact some county officials to speak.

American Water Services Report – John Teijaro read his report for the month as of August 16th, 2011.  Supervisor Leibensperger wanted to know if all the pumps at Tide and auto-dialers are working now.  Mr. Teijaro noted he is waiting on the second pump for the Tide Station and also a computer chip for the auto dialer.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept and place on file TJ’s report.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.    Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Opening of Bids for Road Materials – Bids received for road materials were as follows: R.E. Pierson Construction Company, Middleport $9.650.00 and Lehigh Asphalt Paving & Construction $13,500.00.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept the bids, for the administrative staff to review the calculations and award at next month’s meeting.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Minutes of Previous Meeting – July 19, 2011- A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve and place for public review the meeting minutes of July 19th, 2011. Vice- Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Treasurer’s Report as of July 31, 2011 – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve and place on file for public review the treasurer’s report as of July 31, 2011.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Approval of Current Township & Sewer Bills for August, 2011 – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the current township and sewer bills for August, 2011.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert asked about the purchase of the computers for the police department.  Leibensperger noted that the new computers were purchased with monies received from the District Attorney’s office.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion and Gilbert voted no, carried.

Municipal Reports – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to place on file for public review all the municipal reports.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Attorney’s Business
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to adopt Ordinance #172 amending the parking regulations within Rush Township.  Vice –Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to adopt Ordinance #173 approving the joining of an existing Council of Governments known as the Northern Schuylkill Council of Governments. Vice –Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger for Attorney Yurchak to advertise an ordinance for the Earned Income & Net Profits Tax. Vice –Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to adopt Resolution #11-09 Local Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Under the question, Leibensperger wanted to know if this would complete the requirements for Act 32.  Attorney Yurchak stated the Local Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights should have been done back in 1996 and this is one of the requirements for the new tax law. This together with the EIT ordinance will meet the requirements for Act 32.   Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

New Business
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept the resignation letter of part time police officer, Jonathan McHugh, effective August 8th.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to hire Carl Bachert as a part- time police officer to work as needed at the rate of $12.00 per hour.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to adopt Resolution #11-10 authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Pa. Dept of Transportation for acceptance of SAFETEA-LU Funds.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion and Gilbert voted no, carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the Rush Township Safe Routes to School Project Transportation Enhancement Program Federal-Aid Reimbursement Agreement.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted in favor of the motion and Gilbert voted no, carried.

Chairman Simchak adjourned the meeting at 6:25 o’clock pm.

Transcribed and attested:

________________________________________
Terri Conville
Secretary/Treasurer

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