Rush Township Municipal Building
Hometown, PA 18252
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors
The monthly meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 6:12 o’clock p.m. by Chairman William J. Sanchez, Jr. Those in attendance were Vice-Chairman Shawn Gilbert; Supervisor Stephen Simchak.; Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville; Attorney Robert Yurchak; and Corporal Duane Frederick. Approximately twenty one residents and two reporters were also in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to vacate the Chairman of the Board. Supervisor Simchak seconded the motion. Gilbert and Simchak voted for the motion. No vote was given by Sanchez, Jr. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to nominate Steve Simchak for Chairman. Supervisor Simchak seconded the motion. No vote was given by Sanchez, Jr. Motion carried.
American Water Services Report
John Teijaro read the American Water Services report as of July 21, 2009.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to purchase six grinder pumps for Lake Hauto for a total price of $9,180.00. The motion was seconded by Chairman Simchak. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to purchase chemicals needed for the Hometown Sewer from MKG for an estimated price of $3,664.42. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. asked Mr. Teijaro if he obtained price quotes from other companies. Simchak and Gilbert voted for the motion and Sanchez, Jr. voted no. Motion carried.
New Business
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to grant approval of Plan #229-MBC Development Final Land Development Plan with periodic inspections by the township of storm sewer installation. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Mr. McMullen explained the agreement between MBC Development and Rush Township regarding the replacement of the existing sanitary sewer line currently proposed for development. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the agreement for replacement of the sewer line. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Police Report
Corporal Duane Frederick read the police report for the month of June, 2009. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept Corporal Frederick’s report for the month. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the minutes of the previous meeting June 16, 2009. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Treasurer’s Report
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept the treasurer’s report as of June 30, 2009. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. seconded the motion. Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert asked Ms. Conville to read the balance for each account. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Approval of Current Township and Sewer Bills for July, 2009
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve the current township and sewer bills for July, 2009. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Gilbert and Simchak voted for the motion and Sanchez, Jr. voted no for the record. Motion carried.
Municipal Reports
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept and place on file all municipal reports for the month. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Correspondence
Key areas noted by Ms. Conville in the correspondence file for the month were as follows:
1. E-Mail from Michelle Kintzel with the Recycling Center.
2. Letter of appreciation and commendation from Chief Dave Mattson of the Tamaqua Police Dept.
3. Letter from the Attorney General
4. Letter from Penn-Dot
5. Correspondence from Arro
6. E-Mail from Lori Kane of the Schuylkill County Chamber
7. Letter from Zamias Services, Inc.
8. Newsletters from PIRMA, PSATS Legal Defense Partnership, PSATS News Bulletin, Schuylkill Courant.
9. Meeting Minutes from Northeastern Schuylkill Joint Municipal Authority
Ms. Conville read the letter from Gene & Michelle McConnon. They are requesting permission to tap into the culvert at Grove Street. They will install a check valve in the line to prevent any problems with storm water backing up into the drain. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve this request. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. feels the township would be setting a precedent by allowing them to hook up to our storm sewers. Simchak and Gilbert voted for the motion and Sanchez voted against it. Motion carried.
Ms. Conville read the letter from the Tamaqua Industrial Development Enterprises Board of Directors. They are requesting ten no dumping signs and one no parking sign be placed along Tide Road and Progress Avenue in the TIDE Industrial Park. A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to grant the request from TIDE for signs. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. asked Ms. Lazur if she remembers if TIDE paid for the no parking signs some years ago and then the township installed them. Simchak and Gilbert voted for the motion and Sanchez, Jr. voted no. Motion carried.
Attorney’s Business – Attorney Yurchak stated he should have a draft of the SOP ready for next month’s meeting for the police.
Old Business – A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to award the bid for equipment rental to Precision Pavement. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to award the bid for piping to the low bidder Chemung Supply. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Chairman Simchak asked Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. where he stands on the police budget that was discussed in length at last month’s meeting since there is a deficit. Sanchez, Jr. noted that last month a decision was made to get together and have a meeting. On June 29th Sanchez put a memo out to Shawn and Steve about meeting on either July 2nd or July 3rd. Sanchez, Jr. stated he did receive a memo from Steve and he knows Shawn wants twenty-four hour coverage. Gilbert stated that by twenty four hour coverage he means having one officer out per shift. Gilbert noted that the checkpoints are separate. Chairman Simchak stated it is the board’s job to give Duane direction. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. stated he is not making a decision about the police budget until there is a meeting on this matter.
New Business
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to approve Plan #227 Martin and Debra Zukovich Final Minor Subdivision Plan. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion, carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. to re-appoint Marion Lazur to the Planning Commission. Motion dies for a lack of a second.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to elect Lisa Price to the Planning Commission. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Kenny Hoppes noted that Marion Lazur served for many years on the Planning Commission and is very knowledgeable. Mr. Hoppes wanted to know if Ms. Price is qualified to serve on this board. Simchak and Gilbert voted in favor of the motion with Sanchez, Jr. voting no for the record. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert for the Rush Township Fire Police to assist with traffic control for the Fireman’s Convention being held on August 29th in Tamaqua. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to appoint Bob Ritsick to the Planning Commission. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Ms. Lazur asked if Mr. Ritsick wrote a letter to the Board because it was not mentioned in correspondence. Ms. Conville noted Mr. Ritsick did submit a letter to the Board, along with her letter and one from Lisa Price. Simchak and Gilbert voted in favor of the motion and Sanchez, Jr. voted no. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to ratify the purchase of a Ford 6600 tractor with a sweeper broom for $7,000.00. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. asked if other quotes were received. Ms. Conville noted that quotes were obtained from Powerco, Penn Hazel and Medico. Medico never got back to our Road Foreman. Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. stated the quotes received are for an attachment to the backhoe and not on the same piece of equipment. Chairman Simchak stated that apparently Powerco could not quote the same piece of equipment or they would have. Sanchez, Jr. noted the code requires that purchases over $4,000.00 require we get three quotes, but they are not on the same thing. Kenny Hoppes wanted to know how many hours were logged on the machine. As part of the motion, Simchak stated the purchase was made from Penn-Hazel Supply. Simchak and Gilbert voted for the motion with Sanchez, Jr. voting no. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to ratify the rental of a brush-cutter with an operator from West Penn Township for a price of $88.85 per hour. Chairman Simchak seconded the motion. Under the question, Sanchez, Jr. noted last time this was done, there was some legal ratification. The right-of-ways were not properly marked. Chairman Simchak noted that our road foreman will develop a list and have our engineer check it before they start cutting brush. Sanchez, Jr. voted no. Motion carried.
General Purpose Public Participation
1. Tom Murphy- concerned about the substance that looks and smells like sewage in the back of his yard. Chairman Simchak asked Mr. Teijaro to run a dye test on pipes that run above it. Mr. Murphy wanted to know if any of the Supervisors have the ability to apply for grants and if they applied for storm water funding. Mr. Murphy also asked if the road department could open up the ditch at Dr. Sahoo’s by 50 feet.
2. William Boyer- asked about the Morgan’s Plant and if old batteries are being stored there. Mr. McMullen read his report that he submitted to the Board. Permits were submitted for warehousing. Mr. McMullen is in contact with our UCC Inspector and DEP. The article in the newspaper noted that battery components are being stored there. Mr. Boyer also wanted to know if anything can be done about the parking situation at the Hometown Market on Wednesday.
3. John Boyle –lives above Mr. Murphy and thought that some of the properties on Holland Street might not be hooked up to the sewer. Vice-Chairman Gilbert said all three houses are hooked up. Mr. Boyle asked if anything could be done with the traffic that is cutting across Holland and Lynwood Street because it has picked up more since the construction started at the intersection. Mr. Boyle would like to see a traffic study done and possibly a do not enter or a one way street. Chairman Simchak asked him to write down his ideas and give them to Bill McMullen. Mr. McMullen stated that the improvements going on now are part of the Zamias agreement when Wal-Mart came in. Turkey Hill did a study and they also will have improvements done.
4. Marion Lazur – asked the Board if they received a job description for Corporal as per mentioned at the May 19th meeting. Chairman Simchak stated a generic one was received and the Board has to develop it to fit the needs for Rush Township. In the meantime, Corporal Frederick will use the one for Officer in Charge. Ms. Lazur also wanted to know when the Board is going to appoint the delegate and an alternate to the committee being formed in regards to Act 32 of 2008. This Act creates a consolidated EIT collection. Chairman Simchak asked the reporters if they would note in their article that the township is looking for two people to serve on this board, preferably with a background in accounting. If interested, they should contact the office.
5. Pat Tracey – asked Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. why he was terminated as Chairman. Sanchez, Jr. stated that he did not know they were going to do that and has no clue as to why, but they did him a favor. Ms. Tracey also asked if our road foreman has a CDL and what he is doing riding around in Tamaqua. Ms. Tracey also asked the Supervisors why they did not attend the meeting held in Tamaqua about the Polycythemia Vira Cancer.
Supervisor’s Response Period
Supervisor Sanchez, Jr. wanted to thank Simchak and Gilbert for removing him as the Chairman of the Board. It took a weight off his shoulders.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:10 o’clock p.m.
Transcribed and Attested
Terri Conville, Secretary/Treasurer
