MINUTES

 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                         LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

 REGULAR MEETING                                                          DECEMBER 23, 2019

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                     TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

Edward Black, President                                                  Thomas G. Vernau, Jr., Township Manager

Dean W. Villone, Vice President                                          Richard Grove, Finance Director

Richard F. Schin                                                                    David Holl, Public Safety Director

Peddrick M. Young, Sr.                                                         Dan Flint, Public Works Coordinator

Carolyn Holtzman                                                                 Steven P. Miner, Solicitor

                                                                                               Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

 

President Black called the December 23, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.  

MEETING MINUTES

Vice President VILLONE moved to approve the minutes from the December 9, 2019 Regular Meeting. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Vice President VILLONE moved to approve the minutes from the December 2, 2019 Budget Meeting. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

The minutes from the November 25, 2019 Regular Meeting which had been tabled at the last meeting were brought back for a vote. Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the minutes from the November 25, 2019 Regular Meeting and Vice-President VILLONE seconded the motion.

 

Commissioner Holtzman asked if a decision had been reached regarding the pay rate for the Fire Company Administrative Clerk position. Mr. Vernau referenced a new section added to the minutes which is based on information recorded on the tape of the meeting. He stated that no action was taken on the pay rate at that time. The rate mentioned was $14.86 but that is not the correct figure. Vernau said the actual starting rate for administrative clerks is $14.41, based on market study data, but the Board can pay them whatever rate they choose.  Commissioner Holtzman agreed to the rate of $14.41 if applicants can be found. President Black said that the Township will advertise and interview qualified candidates.

 

The motion to accept the minutes as corrected carried 5-0.

 

Director Holl will present the Board with a job description specific for Administrative Clerk for the Fire Company when it is finished. At that time a motion will be made to give staff approval to advertise.

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: 

There was none.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

President Black asked that any Commissioner, staff member or anyone in attendance who would like to have an item on the Consent Agenda removed for further discussion request so now.  There was no response.

1. Department Reports for the month of November for Community Development, Fleet Maintenance, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety.
2. Tax Collector’s Report for November 2019.

 

Commissioner SCHIN moved to accept the Consent Agenda and Vice President VILLONE seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.

 

PRESIDENT BLACK

Check Register

Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the Check Register of December 20, 2019 in the amount of $1,430,819.34. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

PSO Resignation

Commissioner SCHIN moved to accept the resignation of Public Safety Officer Bryan Dunbar effective January 22, 2020, with regret. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion, with regret, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Resolution 2019-R-47

Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve Resolution 2019-R-47, establishing fees and charges authorized by various ordinances and statutes for administration of Township business in accordance with these ordinances and statutes. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Vice President Villone asked Mr. Flint where the permit application fees are credited to when an application is approved. Mr. Flint replied that the application fee gets applied to the total due for the permit. The fee is itemized so that the applicant can see how the money is applied.

 

Resolution 2019-8-R-48

Commissioner SCHIN moved adopt Resolution 2019-R-48, appointing Zachary J. Walters as a Police Officer effective January 2, 2020. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Walters was in attendance at the meeting and was welcomed by the Board and staff present.

 

Ordinance 2019-03

Commissioner SCHIN moved to enact Ordinance 2019-03, fixing the tax rates for the year 2020.

 

Roll Call Vote:            Commissioner Young:            Yes

                                    Vice President Villone:           Yes

                                    President Black:                      Yes

                                    Commissioner Schin:              Yes

                                    Commissioner Holtzman:       Yes

 

Ordinance 2019-03 was approved by a 5-0 vote.

Ordinance 2019-04

Commissioner YOUNG moved to enact Ordinance 2019-04, appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of municipal government, hereinafter set forth, during the fiscal year 2020.

 

Roll Call Vote:            Commissioner Young:            Yes

                                    Vice President Villone:           Yes

                                    President Black:                      Yes

                                    Commissioner Schin:              Yes

                                    Commissioner Holtzman:       Yes

 

Ordinance 2019-04 was approved by a 5-0 vote.

 

Ordinance 2019-05

Commissioner YOUNG moved to enact Ordinance 2019-05, amending the codified ordinances of Lower Allen Township, 1997, as amended, Section 32-7, dealing with compensation of the Township Manager.

 

Roll Call Vote:            Commissioner Holtzman:       Yes

                                    Commissioner Schin:              Yes

                                    President Black:                      Yes

                                    Vice-President Villone:          Yes

                                    Commissioner Young:            Yes

 

Ordinance 2019-05 was approved by a 5-0 vote.

 

Release from Probation

Commissioner YOUNG moved to move Joshua Schware from probationary status to regular full-time status in the position of Paramedic in the Emergency Medical Services Department, effective December 24, 2019. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Release from Probation

Vice President VILLONE moved to move Jodi Etter from probationary status to regular full-time status in the position of Paramedic in the Emergency Medical Services Department, effective December 24, 2019. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP: 

There was no response.

 

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

Payment No. 3 to SSM Industries, Inc.

Vice President VILLONE moved to approve the third payment to SSM Industries, Inc. in the amount of $8,501.31 for Plumbing Construction on the Public Works Building Addition Project. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Payment to Buckeye Partners, L.P.

Commissioner SCHIN moved to authorize payment in the amount of $25,346.81 to Buckeye Partners, L.P. for pipeline casing work associated with the Gettysburg Road Relocation Project. Mr. Flint said that this is the final payment and that the work was delayed due to flooding issues. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Payment of Invoice No. 7878710119121608 to PennDOT

Commissioner YOUNG moved to authorize the payment of Invoice No. 7878710119121608 in the amount of $26,601.36 for inspection costs associated with the construction of the Lisburn Rd. roundabouts. This money is reimbursable. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY

Advertisement for Public Safety Officer

Mr. Holl requested permission to advertise in January for a full-time Public Safety Officer to replace Bryan Dunbar. He stated that the job description for part-time PSOs has not yet been created so he would like to remove that from the agenda until it is ready to present to the Board. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve advertising for the position of a full-time PSO in January and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

MANAGER

Employee Performance Awards

Mr. Vernau spoke about two employee performance awards for innovation that will be on the next agenda for action. Fleet Manager Charlie Reynolds has been nominated along with Mechanic Aaron Duncan for fitting the new tractor with a front-mounted snow blower. The manufacturer gave an estimate of $7,000 – $8,000 to retrofit it. Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Duncan accomplished this on their own with $3,000 in parts. The Commissioners hope to have the opportunity to thank the men in person.

 

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Mr. Grove thanked Commissioner Young for his service on the Board of Commissioners.

 

Mr. Vernau thanked the Board for getting through this year’s Budget discussions. He said that ultimately it improves the Township.

 

Vice President Villone introduced his daughter who was in the audience, thanked everyone for a good year, and thanked Commissioner Young for serving on the Board.

 

Commissioner Schin spoke about following up on his discussion of the increased lighting at Christ Community Church. He said that Mr. Eby has not yet had time to talk with them. He stated that he is proud of how the Board handled the budget issues and feels it is coming together well.

 

Commissioner Holtzman also feels that the Board has pulled together and that they did a good job on the budget. She told Commissioner Young that he would be missed.

 

Mr. Miner thanked the Board for the creation of the Stormwater Authority and said that it has been an interesting year.

 

Mr. Holl spoke about it being a challenging year for Public Safety. He thanked the Board for their support and feels that it will pay off in the future for the community. He also thanked Commissioner Young.

 

President Black spoke about receiving notice that Officer Thomas Gelnett will be entering into the DROP Program in 2020. He said that it has been a busy and challenging year. He feels that the Ad Hoc Committee accomplished a lot and he is proud of Lower Allen Township for starting their own ALS service this year. He also spoke about meeting with UPMC, which is involved in the Community Paramedicine program and needs lots of help. He stated that he is in favor of this program. President Black thanked Commissioner Young for his service.

 

Commissioner Young spoke about Commissioner Schin bringing him onto the Board in 1988. He feels that Lower Allen Township has the best staff and employees. He is looking forward to having Thomas Kutz serve on the Board. Commissioner Young thanked the Board for keeping CALEA and said he will miss the other Board members he has served with.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 7:52 pm.