News

Minutes of the meeting of the Rush Township of Supervisors – April 19, 2011

Rush Township 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 eighteen people in attendance and one reporter.   The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.

Public Comment
1.  William J. Sanchez, Jr. – asked if the Board reviewed the correspondence about Crest Street that he had sent to them.
2.  A resident asked when the potholes would be getting fixed and also when the damage done to area lawns from the winter snow storms would be repaired.  This resident also thanked the road crew for the good job they did last year filling the potholes.
3.  Mr. Tracey – asked when the drainage would be addressed with the Meadow Avenue project.   Simchak noted that the sanitary sewer is just getting fixed with this project.
4.  Charles Shamonsky – asked when the no truck sign would be put back up along the Turkey Hill section.
5.  William Boyer – asked for the treasurer’s report to be read.  Mr. Boyer also asked if the money was put back from the house for the first quarter of this year and what the amount was.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the treasurer’s report as read.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.
6.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert stated he had a few issues that he wanted to address.  Chairman Simchak stated not at this time and that he can comment on any agenda item under the question.

American Water Services Report – John Teijaro read the AWS report for the month.  A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the report and place it on file.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Minutes of Previous Meeting – March 15, 2011- A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve the meeting minutes. 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 April, 2011
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to approve all current township and sewer bills for April, 2011.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert questioned the payment of a bill from last month’s meeting in the amount of $270.00 to Attorney Datte from our elected auditors. Gilbert noted that  the 2nd class township code states that once an auditing firm is hired to do the fiscal audit, the elected auditors are only suppose to set wages and things of that nature. Attorney Yurchak stated he did not consider the auditing firm when he was doing his research.  The Board authorized Attorney Yurchak to review the bill and issue a report back to them about payment of that bill.  Attorney Yurchak’s research indicated that the Supervisors have the power to pay the bill and Vice-Chairman Gilbert can refuse to pay that bill.   Supervisor Leibensperger noted that our elected auditors sought legal counsel because of the circumstances with some of our bank account numbers airing on WBRE-TV.  Gilbert wanted to table the bill until next month.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted for the motion and Gilbert abstained from the vote.   Motion carried.

Municipal Reports – A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept 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.

Correspondence –   A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to accept and place on file the correspondence for the month.  Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Under the question, Gilbert asked for the correspondence to be read. Ms. Conville mentioned the following items received for correspondence:
1.  Mauch Chunk Trust pledges for the month
2.  Letter from NEPA in reference to funding available
3.  Email received from Mark Deibler, District Forester stating there is no county-wide burn ban in affect
4.  PSATS news bulletin
5. Letter from Eastern Schuylkill Planning Commission requesting a check in the amount of $1,000.00 for initial cost associated with the map and ordinance corrections/revisions to the ESP.  Ms. Conville noted that this request was on the bills to be approved tonight.
Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

Attorney’s Business – no report

New Business
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger to adopt Resolution #11-08 promulgation statement of the Schuylkill County Emergency Operations Plan Volume 1.  Chairman Simchak seconded the motion.  Under the question, Vice-Chairman Gilbert stated that he did not have time to review the new plan.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  Simchak and Leibensperger voted yes.  Gilbert did not vote.   Motion carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger for Christopher Fischi II to do ride alongs with our police department.  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 conditionally approve Plan FP-2011-02 Air Products & Chemical Incorporated as conditions noted by the Planning Commission. 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 accept the resignation of Michelle Griffiths from the Schuylkill Tax Committee effective April 15, 2011. Vice-Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Chairman Simchak asked the secretary to send a thank you letter to Ms. Griffiths for serving on this committee.  If anyone is interested in this position, please submit a letter to the township.  Ms. Conville polled the Board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Leibensperger for the Rush Township Fire Police to assist with the 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, April 30th sponsored by St. Jerome Regional School.  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 announcement:
The Rush Township Bicentennial Committee sponsored a Blood Drive on April 5th at the Municipal Building. The American Red Cross was in charge of the drive.  A total of 22 units of blood were collected.  The target goal set by the Red Cross was 24 units, so a 96% success rate was achieved.  The Committee would like to thank all the donors who took time out of their busy schedules to donate blood.

Charles Shamonsky wanted to know if the change in the meeting date for this month was advertised and in what newspaper.

Chairman Simchak adjourned the meeting at 6:20 o’clock pm.

Transcribed and attested:

________________________________________
Terri Conville
Secretary/Treasurer

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