News

Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – February 15, 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, Secretary/Treasurer Terri Conville, and Administrative Assistant Marie Skripnek.  There were approximately sixteen people in attendance and one reporter.   The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.

Ms. Conville read the following statement:
The Rush Township Board of Supervisors had an informational session with our professional engineer and zoning officer from Alfred Benesch & Company on February 9, 2011 to discuss zoning and code issues in the township.
Also, on February 15th, the Rush Township Board of Supervisors had an informational session with the president of the T.I.D.E. Board and the Vice President of S.E.D.C.O. to discuss the conditions of the roads in the Tide Industrial Park.

Public Comment
Marion Lazur –   wanted to know the salary of the zoning officer.  Ms. Lazur also wanted to know when the Board would be making the first payment back to the sewer fund as per the resolution signed in June.  Ms. Lazur asked to hear the municipal reports.   A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Gilbert to accept all municipal reports.  Supervisor Leibensperger seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.   Ms. Lazur asked to hear the correspondence.   Ms. Conville mentioned the following items received for correspondence:
1.   PSATS Township Legal Defense Letter
2.  Mauch Chunk Trust pledges for the last two months
3.  Gellner & Company report on waste water discharge
4.  NESJMA minutes from Dec 16, 2010
5.  PSATS newsletter
6.  Gannet Fleming chapter 94 information
7.  PIRMA newsletter
8.  Email from NEPA about the converting of traffic signals to LED.  The contract was awarded to Wyoming Electric and Signal.  The traffic signal lights at the intersection of Rt. 309 and Fairview should be converted to LED’s sometime in March.  Simchak noted this was a grant that the Supervisors applied for and received at approximately $7,000.00 and at no cost to the township.
9.  Carbon Engineering waste water Chapter 94 report for Nesquehoning Borough.
10.  PSATS newsletter
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the correspondence received 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.
Ms. Lazur also wanted to know what roads in the township the High Mountain Dirt Riders would be using as noted in New Business item a.  Ms. Conville stated the township received a letter.   A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to allow the High Mountain Dirt Riders to hold the “Shotgun Enduro Race” on Sunday, June 19th using roads in the township.  Joe Shamonsky wanted to know who is liable if there is an accident and if it is legal to run a dirt bike on the road.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert read parts of the letter to the public and stated that this organization has been holding the race for quite a few years in the township.
Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
Pat Tracy – asked if the roads in TIDE were fixed a few months ago and what would be getting done now.  Simchak stated the meeting was a general discussion about the roads.
Joe Shamonsky – also asked about what repairs are being considered in TIDE.
William Boyer – asked why his items were not put on the agenda. Ms. Conville stated that a written response was issued to Mr. Boyer.
Joe Shamonsky – asked why Mr. Boyer’s question was not on the agenda.  Simchak stated that Mr. Boyer received a written response.

New Business
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to conditionally approve Plan #234A – Postupack Minor Subdivision- Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan as per recommended by the Planning Commission.   Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

American Water Services Report –   T.J. read his report for the month as of February 15, 2011.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve TJ’s report for the month as read.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Minutes of Previous Meetings – January 3, 2011 and February 4, 2011- A motion was made Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the meeting minutes.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert stated he was not in attendance for those meetings and will not vote on this item. Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion.  Gilbert did not attend the meetings in question and did not vote.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Reports- as of Dec. 31, 2010 and as of Jan. 31, 2011 – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the two treasurer’s reports.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Approval of Current Township and Sewer Bills for February, 2011
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve all current township and sewer bills for February, 2011.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Attorney’s Business –   Attorney Yurchak reported that Ordinance #170, which will increase the fees charged by the elected tax collector for tax certification and has been properly advertised and should be voted on by the Board.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to adopt Ordinance #170 which has been properly advertised.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

New Business
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the conditions of agreement and contract between Rush Township Police Department and North Central Highway Safety Network.  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 re-appoint F. Patrick Davison as a representative to the Tamaqua Area Water Authority for a five year term.  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 re-appoint Charles Barnes to serve on the Northeastern Schuylkill Joint Municipal Authority for a five year term.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Announcements
Ms. Skripnek read the following two announcements:
1.  Rush Township formed its Bicentennial Committee at a meeting held on February 9th.  Ten residents, Supervisors’ Simchak and Leibensperger, and the office staff were in attendance.  The committee discussed events the township can have to celebrate the 200th birthday of our township. A blood drive is scheduled for April 5th.  An Arbor Day celebration is planned for April 29th.  Other ideas discussed included an Easter egg hunt, a hoagie sale, crowning of a poppy queen, a community day, and food drive/toys for tots.  The committee is looking for more volunteers.  Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 10th at 6 pm.

2.  Rush Township Board of Supervisors is exploring the possibility of a regional police force.  A meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2011 with Kline Township and Rush Township.  Ron Stern, the liaison for the governor’s Center for Local Government Services will present a detailed explanation of the program.  This will be an informational session for Rush and Kline Townships to learn the full scope of the program and have the opportunity to ask questions.  If both parties agree to move forward with forming a regional police force a feasibility study would be conducted.  This study would be fully funded by the Governor’s Center.  There would be no cost involved for Rush or Kline Township.

Supervisor Leibensperger stated that the Bicentennial Committee has nothing to do with the Supervisors.  An account has been set up for planned events and any monies received go directly into that fund.  Donations or help for any event would be greatly appreciated.

Chairman Simchak adjourned the meeting at 6:23 o’clock pm.

Transcribed and attested:
________________________________________
Terri Conville
Secretary/Treasurer

pre-loaded imagepre-loaded imagepre-loaded imagepre-loaded imagepre-loaded image