Conewango Township Board of Supervisors
4 Fireman Street Warren, Pennsylvania 16365
A G E N D A
October 24, 2016
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge to the Flag
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
4. Treasurer’s Report
5. Solicitor
6. Correspondence
7. Visitors
8. Outstanding Bills;-General Fund $15,228.68 – Starbrick $834.08 Liquid Fuels $3,007.14 :::: Total $19,069.90
9. Police Department Report
10. Road Department Report
11. Old Business
A. Non-Uniform Pension Fund / ErieBank account
B. Deposit Accounts
C. Nathan Street Project Update
D. Barley Home
E. River Road update – Detour plan
F. C.N.A. Surety
G. Engineer Services – RFP
12. New Business
A. Health Insurance Plan Renewal
B. Amend Township Policy / Employee Contribution Resolution
C. Resolutions for Small Flow Treatments
D. Wetmore Cemetery clean up
E. November 28 Meeting; Twp holiday
F. WinterFest 2017 – request for donation
G. City of Warren; Amendment to Agreement for Convenyance & Treatment of Wastewater
H. TAWC RE: financial request
I. Request for SS at south side of State Street
J. Jarvis Key
K. Township Secretary hours
L. Township Newsletter
13. Adjournment
Conewango Township Board of Supervisors
Regular Meeting October 24, 2016
The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Conewango Township, Warren County, and Warren, Pennsylvania 16365 was held, Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Township building, 4 Fireman Street.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. with Edward Seebeck, Vince Duckett and Jeff Zariczny in attendance.
The pledge to the flag was recited.
MINUTES
The reading of the minutes of the October 10th, 2016 meeting were dispensed with and were approved as presented.
TREASURERS REPORT
The Treasurer report for September was reviewed. It was moved by Jeff Zariczny and carried unanimously to approve the Treasurer report as presented.
VISITORS
The following visitors attended:
Jeff Depeto from Bollingers in North Warren was present and presented an email correspondence sent to township from Dr. William Clark, Executive Director for Bollingers. They would like to put in pedestrian channeling devices across North State Street. They are requesting the township send a letter of support to PennDot. This request was approved unanimously by the board.
Kay Buerkle – nothing
John Marasco from Northwest Saving Bank Employee Benefits presented a comprehensive outline of the options for the townships’ health plan renewal. He discussed the level of customer service and scope of services that Northwest offers to its clients. John explained that a broker to broker change will include his assistant and himself providing a smooth transition.
CORRESPONDENCE
Stiffler McGraw – NWMA re: land use letter
PLGIT – updated rate sheet
Conewango Cree Watershed Association – invite to annual gala
Ryan Murphy – Manufacturing & Business Association, dropped off info
Allegheny National Forest Region Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Summit
Fox Land Surveying, Inc – well drilling D & S Energy Corporation
Stapleford & Byham RE: PA DEP & PennDot -for drainage issues
Warren County Conservation District – Thank you for representation at Fall Breakfast
Hampson Surveying RE: Jett Oil LLC
SOLICITOR
The Solicitor was present. She reviewed the current Township project list.
The Non Uniform Pension issue is still under review, there was a conference call scheduled for October 21, 2016, and the Principal rep, Joel Wiborg was not available due his schedule mishap. The Township Secretary later received an email with information from Mr. Wiborg. This information is currently being reviewed in preparation for another conference called scheduled with Northwest reps to gather more information.
The Pangborn property at 4 Scott Run Rd – the Solicitor was able to identify 7 of the 8 Pangborn children. The Township Secretary sent letters to 5 of the 7. One of the 8, is now deceased and another is currently incarcerated. Two of the children, have made contact with the township and the information was shared with the board. Further research is needed, the Solicitor will research the deed for ownership.
The McGraw Tax Appeal; a status conference is scheduled for November 21, 2016.
The Starbrick Volunteer Fire Department Property Acquisition of Property; a title search was completed and revealed a mortgage against the property in the amount of $6,000. The Solicitor questioned the board as to whether they wanted to wait to record the deed or get a partial release from the bank now? It was noted that the fire department could pay it off when they get their grant monies.
OUTSTANDING BILLS
General Fund $15,228.68
Starbrick Fund $ 834.08
Liquid Fuels $ 3,007.14
Total $19,069.90
It was moved by Ed Seebeck and carried unanimously to pay outstanding bills.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Patrolman Kibbey was present at the meeting. Chief Peters was in and out throughout meeting due to other obligations. Nothing to report at this time.
Supervisor Seebeck noted that the Swartz case is scheduled for arraignment on November 17, 2016.
ROAD DEPARTMENT REPORT
Randy Sleeman was present and gave report.
Randy reported that the road crew is leaf picking from Oct 17 – Nov 23.
They need to order new rakes. The board approved for Randy to pick up new rakes at any of our local stores.
The Peterbilt is fixed now.
Mike Morelli is currently on medical leave until further notice. Mike requested to use his vacation first before his accrued sick time. The board requested that the Township Secretary review the township policy prior to a decision.
Vince suggested we call the Sheriff office and see if we can get two inmates to help with leave pick up. They would like to request two inmates for Monday – Friday from 7:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. until November 23, 2016. The board requested for the Township Secretary call the Sheriff office and find out.
The Township Secretary ordered safety vests the week prior to the start of leaf pick up from Hoover Oil Supply. They have not responded with the order. The Township Secretary will check again where the vests are.
Following discussion, it was moved by Jeff Zariczny and carried unanimously to authorize the Township Secretary to cut a check for up to $200.00 to purchase safety vests from Tractor Supply.
OLD BUSINESS
Non-Uniform Pension Fund / ErieBank account; the Township Secretary opened an interest bearing public funds account in the name of “Non Unform Pension Fund” and deposited the current MMO funds into the account until the Principal issues get sorted out.
Deposit Accounts; still under review.
Nathan Street Project Update; the Solicitor sent letters to PennDot and the PA DEP regarding the drainage issues. The Township Secretary supplied the board with a partial outline of the notes from the meeting on September 26, 2016. She indicated they will be completed by the next meeting for a full review. Supervisor Zariczny recited some notable items to include in those notes.
Barley Home – no updates at this time.
River Road update – Detour plan; The Township Secretary contacted the contracted construction company and they use Beth’s Barricades for their warning signs and devices.
C.N.A. Surety; Chief Peters will be putting everything together for the claim for the bond. And has made contact with the claim representative and he is out of the office until Monday, October 31.
Engineer Services/RFP; following discussion, the board requested for the Township Secretary to put together and run an ad to solicit for engineering services. The board would like it to run for two business days and have a deadline of November 14, 2016. This is a preliminary search to see what other firms are interested.
NEW BUSINESS
Health Insurance Plan Renewal; the board reviewed the proposal from John with Northwest and reflected on the proposal from Mike Elia with Loesel Schaaf.
Following further discussion, it was moved by Jeff Zariczny and carried unanimously, to renew the townships employee health plan to the Platinum Plan (Option 1) and to designate John Marasco with Northwest Savings Employee Benefits as the new broker for the townships employee benefits program. Following the approval, John thanked the board and indicated one of the first items of business would include a compliance check.
Amend Township Policy / Employee Contribution Resolution; The Township Secretary presented the board with a few additional cost saving strategies with regards to health insurance, for example having all
employees’ pay a percentage toward their premium, and another was to only offer spousal coverage to those who do not otherwise have it available. The cost saving strategies were tabled at this time.
The board requested for the Township Secretary to review the Township Policy Handbook and present any suggested edits/updates at a future meeting.
Resolutions for Small Flow Treatments; The board approved resolutions 2016-21: Lifestyle Support Service, Inc., 2016-22: Mary Hopshire, and 2016-23: Jon Granger. Carried unanimously.
Wetmore Cemetery clean up; the board discussed that there is tremendous amount of work to still be done up at the cemetery. They discussed options for completing. This item of business needs further review. November 28 Meeting; Twp holiday; the Township Secretary indicated that the November 28 board meeting falls on a paid township holiday, requesting the meeting be moved to Tuesday, November 29. It was moved by the board to approve this meeting change, carried unanimously.
There was additional discussion concerning the board meeting start time. It was moved by Ed Seebeck and seconded by Vince Duckett to approve for the 2nd regular scheduled monthly meeting with a start time of 6:00 P.M. be changed to 4:00 P.M. starting on November 29th and until further notice. Supervisor Jeff Zariczny voted against the time change, noting it was changed originally to the later time to accommodate the township residents.
WinterFest 2017 – request for donation;
Following discussion, the board unanimously agreed not to honor this donation request for this year.
City of Warren; Amendment to Agreement for Conveyance and Treatment of Wastewater.
Following review and discussion, it was moved by Ed Seebeck and carried unanimously to sign the agreement.
TAWC RE: financial request; following discussion the board stated that this should be added to the budget folder for review at the budget workshop meeting.
Request for speed limit sign at south side of State Street; John Tarr, North Warren resident called in with a request for placement of a speed limit sign near the residence of Dan and Dana Leasure. He stated that there used to be a sign there and a former property owner requested it be taken down. Following discussion, it was moved by Vince Duckett to get a speed limit sign placed back at the property, after contact with the current property owner. Carried unanimously.
Jarvis key; the Township Secretary noted that Jarvis Cleaners dropped off a key to the front door. It no longer works. The board will not reissue another key.
Township Secretary hours; Following discussion, it was moved by Ed Seebeck to change the secretary’s hours from 35 hours per week to 40 hours per week, and noted that occasional overtime is permitted to catch up work if needed. Carried unanimously.
Township Newsletter; the Township Secretary asked the board if a township newsletter was needed. Historically, two newsletters were sent annually. Following discussion, it was moved by Vince Duckett to have a newsletter created and sent. Carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Jeff Zariczny and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Jennifer Riggin, Secretary-Treasurer
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