Rush Township Building
Hometown PA 18252
Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors
A meeting was held at the RushTownship Municipal Building on August 21, 2014 at 7:00 o’clock pm. In attendance were Chairman Shawn Gilbert, Vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger, Supervisor Jeaninne Motroni, Secretary/Treasurer Denise Hope, Administrative Assistant Caitlin Whildin, Attorney Chris Riedlinger, Bill McMullen, 3 reporters, and 17 residents.
Chairman Gilbert called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Charlie Shamonsky- questioned why the work started on Meadow Avenue before the bids were opened; asked when the prices for zoning permits went up; asked if there is an ordinance regarding abandoned cars and questioned what will be done with the abandoned police car
2. Joseph Shamonsky- asked who is in charge of zoning enforcement; questioned why supervisors are telling ARRO not to enforce the zoning regulations; asked who addresses the issues of whether or not there should be permits; questioned why
his request was not answered in a timely manner; questioned Attorney Riedlinger as to whether or not he was planning to respond to the letter he sent
3. Cathey Schimpf- stated she is a member of the Zoning Hearing Board. She explained to Mr. Shamonsky that they have heard cases before where citizens appealed the decision of the Zoning Officer, and if there was a footprint on a property at any time you may fill that footprint without a permit as long as you do not exceed the footprint.
Police Report– Sergeant Duane Frederick read his report for the Month of July 2014. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Leibensperger to approve Sergeant Frederick’s reports. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board.
All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Minutes of Previous Meeting-A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Leibensperger to approve the previous meeting minutes of July 21, 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Treasurer’s Reports-A motion was made by Vice Chairman Leibensperger to approve the treasurer’s report as of July 31, 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Approval of Current Township and Sewer Bills thru July 31,2014- A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Leibensperger to approve all current township and sewer bills for July 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Approval of municipal reports (sewer, road, Arro, Prodesign)- A motion was made by Vice-Chairman
Leibensperger to approve the municipal reports for July 2014. Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the Board. All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
CORRESPONDENCE-
ARRO, NEPA(Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance), PSATS, The American Hose Company. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
Attorney’s Business– In the lawsuit filed by Robert Heckman against Rush Township and former supervisor William Sanchez Jr., Mr. Heckman filed an appeal which may take up to one year to resolve. Debra Hughes filed a lawsuit against the township which is being handled by Eric Brown of the same law firm handling the Heckman matter. Fred Postie’s pending case against the township is being handled by the attorneys, who are filing a motion to have it dismissed. Darlene Fenstermacher, former secretary for the township, filed and unemployment compensation case against the township which was dismissed.
NEW BUSINESS-
A motion to approve the Dirt Works Solutions bid for the Wayne Avenue Storm Sewer Replacement Project, pending review by ARRO. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to approve Change Order #2 for the Sunset Street Sanitary Sewer Project. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to approve the contractor’s application for payment #2 Final for the Sunset Street Sanitary Sewer Project, upon submittal of all closeout documents. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to approve the Final Minor Subdivision Plan for lands of Diane Dunstan. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to approve Shawn Gilbert to execute temporary and permanent easements with Michael and Barbara Melnick for the construction of the Wayne Avenue Storm Sewer Replacement Project. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to approve a Time Clock (Model Time QPlus Biometric) for township office at a price of $700.00. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion to approve 12 replacement grinder pump cores and 12 ND electrical connector kits in the total amount of $21,031.08. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
A motion for Road Department to notify the office if taking a vehicle out of the township and also complete a daily log. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved, Supervisor Motroni seconded the motion. Mrs. Hope polled the board, all members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
SUPERVISORS COMMENT
Township business complaints and concerns must be directed to the township and not other agencies such as ARRO
engineering. If it continues, charges for harassment by communication could be filed. Properties are being posted for water shut off due to non payment of sewer bills. A reminder to all residents to please sign up for the Code Red alert system on the township website.
Chairman Gilbert adjourned the meeting at 7:48 o’clock pm.
Transcribed and attested:
Caitlin Whildin
Administrative Assistant
