MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                          LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

                      REGULAR MEETING                                           NOVEMBER 27, 2017                         

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP STAFF
H. Edward Black, President	Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager
Peddrick M. Young, Sr., Vice President	David Holl, Director of Public Safety
Richard F. Schin	Daniel Flint, Community Development
Jack Simpson	Richard Grove, Director of Finance
Carolyn Holtzman	Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
	Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary

 

President Black called the November 27, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm.  He followed with a prayer and the Pledge of the Allegiance.  He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.  After the Pledge, a moment of silence was observed for the passing of long-time employee Jim Chianos.

MEETING MINUTES

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 6, 2017 Budget meeting of the Board of Commissioners.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0, with Vice President Young abstaining due to not attending the meeting.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 13, 2017 regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA

There was no response.

CONSENT AGENDA

President Black advised that any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance could request any item on the Consent Agenda be removed for further discussion and asked if there was such request.   There was no response. 

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

a.  Accept the resignation of EMT II Edward Ream.

b.  Department Reports for the month of October for Assistant Manager, Community Development, Township Engineer, Fleet, and Public Works.

c.  Tax Collector’s October 2017 monthly report

Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK

Approval of Check Registers

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of November 24, 2017 in the amount of $184,230.28.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Resolutions and Presentation for Attaining Active for Life Status

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-R-34, a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, recognizing, commending, and honoring Timothy Sheely for his attainment of Active for Life status from the Lower Allen Fire Company #1.  Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-R-35, a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, recognizing, commending, and honoring Stephen Overmiller for his attainment of Active for Life status from the Lower Allen Fire Company #1.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner HOLTZMAN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-R-36, a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, recognizing, commending, and honoring David Murdoch for his attainment of Active for Life status from the Lower Allen Fire Company #1.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-R-37, a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, recognizing, commending, and honoring Rodney Mumma for his attainment of Active for Life status from the Lower Allen Fire Company #1.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

President Black called Mr. Sheely, Mr. Overmiller and Mr. Murdoch up front to read the resolutions in full to them.  The Board thanked them for their service.

PRESENTATION:  PEMA Local EMA Staff certification #1 Firefighter

Mr. Justin Shaulis, Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), spoke about the training involved with becoming certified.  He presented Lower Allen Township Firefighter Stephen Overmiller a plaque honoring his achievement.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP

There was no response

PUBLIC SAFETY

Process for Replacing an Emergency Medical Technician II

Director Holl spoke of the resignation of an EMT and asked for permission to start the hiring process. 

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize the advertising and hiring process for replacing the Emergency Medical Technician II.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

MANAGER

Proposed Budget-Public View and Advertise

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to place the 2018 Proposed Budget on the table for public view and the advertise the budget.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion.   Commissioner Simpson asked about the $20,000 budgeted for a branding consultant and thought there was more not in favor of moving forward.  The vote was postponed while Mr. Vernau retrieved his budget meeting notes.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Commissioner Simpson spoke about a concern raised by a County Commissioner at the COG meeting.  He spoke about the bill with gambling establishments within 25 miles, which could include satellite from Penn National.  Solicitor Miner stated that he didn’t read the bill like that, however, it is a short resolution that would need to be done by the end of the year if the Board wishes.  Discussion ensued. 

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to direct the Solicitor to prepare the required opt-out resolution.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Simpson spoke about a conversation at the COG meeting with PennDOT about their desire to increase Route 81 to three lanes to the Maryland border.  He stated that they discussed the progress of the radar use for local municipalities making its way through the legislature.

Commissioner Schin spoke about the cones on Hartzdale Drive near Walmart.  Director Holl spoke about the situation and how officers could write tickets all day for the left turns in and out of Walmart.  Commissioner Schin thinks that is a good idea to deter this continued behavior.

Director Holl spoke about the CALEA onsite visit currently happening.  He stated that there would be a public meeting tomorrow at 5pm as part of the visit.

2018 Proposed Budget advertising, cont.

Mr. Vernau reviewed his notes and noted that Commissioners Young, Black and Holtzman voted for it.  The question was called for and the motion carried 5-0.

Sick Leave Balance Policy

Mr. Vernau discussed a section of the Employee Personnel Manual which describes employees who are fully vested in the pension plan, with 12 years of completed service and 55 years of age and older being eligible to receive 25% of their sick leave balance upon retirement.  However, Section 6 of the Manual states no payments for unused sick leave will occur unless retiring.  He spoke of a current situation with the passing of an employee who would otherwise qualify.  Discussion ensued.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to amend Section 6 of the Personnel Manual to include the death of an employee who would otherwise qualify.  Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Schin asked about the tax ordinance and whether it needed to be advertised.  Mr. Vernau stated that that the Board could direct staff to do that at this time. 

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve advertising the 2018 Tax Ordinance.  Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 7:45 pm to discuss the following:

• Applicants for Recreation and Parks Board and Planning Commission.