News

JUNE 2016 MEETING MINUTES

Rush Township Building

Hometown, PA  18252

Minutes of the Meeting of the Rush Township Board of Supervisors

A meeting was held at the Rush Township Municipal Building on June 16, 2016 at 7:00 o’clock pm. In attendance were: Chairman Shawn Gilbert, Vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger, Treasurer/Secretary Katie Orlick, Solicitor Chris Riedlinger and Bill McMullen.  Jeaninne Motroni is not in attendance due to work obligations.

Chairman Shawn Gilbert called the meeting to order.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Police Report – Sergeant Frederick read the police report for the month of May 2016. A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve Sergeant Frederick’s report. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Minutes of Previous Meeting-  A motion was made to approve the previous meeting minutes of May 19, 2016. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report – A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the treasurer’s report as of May 2016.  Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Approval of current township and sewer bills thru June 15, 2016 – A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the municipal reports thru June 15, 2016.  Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

Approval of municipal reports (sewer, road, Arro, Prodesign) – A motion was made by Chairman Gilbert to approve the municipal reports for May 2016. Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.

 Attorney’s Business –  None.

Correspondence –     The Masonic Lodge sent a letter stating that they are offering their building as a temporary emergency shelter.  We have also received the Yellow Dot pamphlets and Stickers.

 Old Business –            None.

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Motion to appoint the Secretary/Treasurer as an authorized representative for Rush Township to receive any tax information and records from Berkheimer.  Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
  2. Motion to approve the purchase of 12 Grinder Pumps for Lake Hauto from Site Specific Design, Inc. for $21,044.04.  Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board.  All members voted in favor of the motion, motion carried.
  3. Motion to accept a Renewal Contract from Signal Service, Inc. for Traffic Signal Maintenance.  Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion; motion carried.
  4. Motion to approve the Fair Housing Resolution for 2016.  Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion; motion carried.
  5. Motion to authorize advertising for a Request for Grant Consulting Services.  Vice Chairman Leibensperger approved; Chairman Gilbert seconded the motion.  Katie Orlick polled the board. All members voted in favor of the motion; motion carried.

Public Comment –  

  1.  Mrs. Warnavage – Her husband and herself would like to thank Jeaninne for her help for the situation they had going on for last year and half. Also thank you to Robert Leibensperger and Sgt. Frederick for all their help.  And to Shawn for helping with their home update 2-3 years ago.  The supervisors and police department are here to help, all you have to do is ask and they are glad to help.  She felt that the people of the township needed to know that.
  2. Mr. Tracy – addressing Mr. Leibensperger’s article with the Standard Speaker.  He wanted to answer some of the questions in article.  You stated that the cost is for electric only, but once its hooked up the bucket will continue and the cost will be $680/year, and it will be going up in future.  No it is a fixed rate now and no one could raise it but Township.  His septic tank has to be pumped out and it will cost $300, but the rest of it has to be filled in with stone, sand and lime for safety.  Mr. McMullen said yes that is correct, but it is not necessary to be collapsed, just pumped and filled.  Take top off and fill with sand/rock.  My pump and collapse information came from DEP in Wilkes Barre, his septic tank is new and will probably last 30 years depending on amount of people and his cost was $2,500.  He wants the same deferred payments as Mr. Delp, he was informed that he was not on deferred payment he is not required to hook up.  It has to do with the line location, it is over 300 feet away from Mr. Delp’s property, Mr. Tracy its running right on his property.  He wants to recoup the money that will take away from his property, they are not going to be going over his property.  Mr. McMullen will be up to his property to look at area for project to answer any questions.  He spoke to about 8 people on his street and they cannot afford it and do not want to sign the deed. They are just barely making ends meet.  The project was accepted as a fundable project.
  3. Korey Bates – He lives in front of Mr. Tracy and Mr. Frantz, we had a long discussion since the beginning of this project.  He believes that they shouldn’t have to hook up and the township used the people on the back side of it as low income in order to get the grant. He believes that the sewer line  should be run for future use, they should not have to hook up unless they need to in the future.  Grant should be approached a different way, Mr. Bates tried to negotiate with supervisors and Mr. McMullen and he was trying to get commercial businesses hooked up but it became a headstrong fight. Supervisors and Mr. McMullen bad mouthed him, tried to give property in exchange for 2 free hook-ups.  They laid and designed entire thing without talking to him, he wants $100,000 for the property.  Said supervisors were trying to prove a point.
  4. Cathy Schimpf – Appeal to the police department to do something about ATVs on Holly and Bernhard Roads, its bad and going to get worse with the logging.  What can residents do – call 911, take pictures of the ATVs, etc.  Tried signs but they were taken down. The railroad repaired the tracks because of the 4 wheelers.  Chairman Gilbert said to keep the township informed.  Vice Chairperson Leibensperger said that it is getting out of control. They are going to try to get this under control.
  5. Bill Boyer – When is the alley going to be opened?  It has been closed up for 2 years.  Chairperson Gilbert said that nothing is on the schedule and it is not a priority.  Mr. Boyer said that it’s a priority around here to mulch instead. He was using it for an entire year and then it was barricaded so that he could no longer use it.  Chairman Gilbert asked if there was grass there? Yes, there is at stone on both ends.
  6. Charlie Shamonsky – Asked Mr. Leibensperger why they cut the right of way when it was the school’s property?  Is there a storm drain from Mariner to Oak Lane thru the property, no there is not.  There is a drain that goes thru school district property which is why they cut it.  On Wednesday, they cut through there now because it is mowed.  Charlie threatened the supervisors and he was told that he will be asked to leave.  There is only one officer on duty and he has to be everywhere, they are not blocking his road off.
  7. Joe Shamonsky – First thing I want to mention is I think it is very rude that the supervisors and the zoning officer are talking back and forth when it’s a public meeting.  He was informed that is a business meeting, and the public is allowed to comment on issues while they are conducting business.  Joe then asked: Are you prejudice against Veteran’s?  That is ridiculous.  If you go back and read the minutes of the meetings from the last 2 years, and you will see that we have been down there to repair potholes and drains on numerous occasions.  The trees you want cut down are on private property, they are on the right-of-way, but they do not have the right to cut them down. It is the property owner’s job.  Joe said that he was told the township does not cut down trees, but they did by State Farm, are trees more important than lives? He has a tree that is going to fall on his house and he hopes that his wife or children are in the house when it happens, because it will be the township’s fault.  No, that is not the case, the tree was removed because it was in the drain and needed to be removed, it was in the road department’s way.  Do I have to get Mr. Leibensperger when he runs again, put a sign on the property in order to get his issue fixed.  He was informed that the township has one set of rules and everyone follows the same rules.  You can ask anyone in any of departments of the township that everyone follows those rules.  Joe said that the staff was asked to speak to a reporter and they were not allowed to speak to her.

 Supervisors Comment–  Rush Township will be closed Monday, July 4, 2016 for the holiday.  Garbage collection will be delayed a day so Monday’s garbage pick-up will be Tuesday & Friday’s garbage pick-up will be Saturday.  Also, there will be no Electronics Recycling @ the Township until further notice.  Thank you!

Chairman Gilbert adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Transcribed and attested: Kelly Giordano/Administrative Assistant

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