MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REORGANIZATION MEETING	JANUARY 3, 2022
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Dean W. Villone, President	Thomas G. Vernau, Jr., Township Manager
H. Edward Black, Vice President	Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager
Thomas H. Kutz	Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor
Joshua Nagy	David Holl, Public Safety Director
	Rebecca Davis, Public Works DirectorLeon G. Crone, Police Captain
	John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
	Anthony Deaven, EMS CaptainHelen R. Grundon, Township Secretary
	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

CALL TO ORDER and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Township Secretary Helen Grundon called the January 3, 2022 Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 6:00 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. She announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.

 

SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

District Justice Christopher Delozier administered the Oath of Office to Township Tax Collector Bonnie K. Miller and to Commissioners Dean Villone and Joshua Nagy. The Commissioners took their seats on the dais.

 

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Commissioner BLACK nominated Dean W. Villone for President of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner NAGY seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations, and Commissioner BLACK moved that the nominations be closed. Secretary Grundon closed the nominations and called the question. Motion carried 4-0.

 

President Villone assumed control of the meeting. He expressed thanks to fellow commissioners for entrusting him in the role of President. He welcomed all participants, and noted the absence of Commissioner Holtzman, with excuse.

Next, President Villone asked for nominations for Vice President. Commissioner KUTZ nominated H. Edward Black as Vice President of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner NAGY seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations and Commissioner KUTZ moved that the nominations be closed. President VILLONE closed the nominations and called the question. Motion carried 4-0.

BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to appoint Andrew J. Ritter, Jr. to the Lower Allen Township Vacancy Board for a two-year term, effective January 1, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

 

Vice President BLACK made a motion to reappoint Richard Bonneville to the Lower Allen Township Zoning Hearing Board for a term of three years, beginning January 1, 2022. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to appoint Jennifer M. Caron to the Lower Allen Township Zoning Hearing Board for a term of three years, beginning January 1, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner NAGY made a motion to reappoint Robert Edwards to the Lower Allen Township Stormwater Authority for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2022. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to reappoint Timothy Johnson to the Lower Allen Township Authority for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to reappoint H. Edward Black to the Lower Allen Township Development Authority for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2022. Commissioner NAGY seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Vice President BLACK made a motion to reappoint Jay Blackwell to the Lower Allen Township Planning Commission for a term of four years, beginning January 1, 2022. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to reappoint Gregory M. Mahon to the Lower Allen Township Recreation and Parks Board for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Vice President BLACK made a motion to appoint William Laubenheimer to the Lower Allen Township Civil Service Commission as a regular member for a term of six years, beginning January 1, 2022. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

Vice President BLACK made a motion to appoint Christopher T. Pushart as the Alternate to the Lower Allen Township Civil Service Commission to fill the unexpired term of William Laubenheimer until December 31, 2024. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. Motion carried 4-0.

SWEARING IN OF NEWLY APPOINTED OFFICIALS

District Justice Christopher Delozier issued the oath of office to the following newly appointed or reappointed officials:

Andrew J. Ritter, Jr. – Vacancy Board

Richard Bonneville – Zoning Hearing Board

Jennifer M. Caron – Zoning Hearing Board

Robert Edwards – Stormwater Authority

H. Edward Black – Development Authority

Jay Blackwell – Planning Commission

Josie C. Dougherty – Recreation & Parks Board

Gregory M. Mahon – Recreation & Parks Board

William Laubenheimer – Civil Service Commission

 

TOWNSHIP OFFICER APPOINTMENTS / REAPPOINTMENTS

Vice President BLACK made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-R-01, a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, appointing Ms. Helen R. Grundon as Township Secretary and appointing John M. Eby as Assistant Township Secretary for a two (2) year term and establishing compensation. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

 

Vice President BLACK made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-R-02 appointing Thomas G. Vernau, Jr. as Township Manager for a two (2) year term. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Vice President BLACK made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-R-03 appointing the firm of Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz as the Township Auditors for a two (2) year term. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Vice President BLACK made a motion to appoint the law firm of Caldwell & Kearns, P.C., in the person of Steven P. Miner, as Township Solicitor, at a rate of $220.00 per hour, with Robert W. Diehl serving as Alternate, effective January 1, 2022. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to appoint the firm of Michael Baker International as Township Engineer, effective January 1, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded. President Villone asked whether the action would continue the previous appointment or serve as an interim appointment. Mr. Vernau explained the Township still planned to issue an RFP in the early spring for a permanent Township Engineer. Commissioner KUTZ amended his motion to clarify that the appointment would be for the period of January 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded the amended motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to appoint John M. Eby as Township Sewage Enforcement Officer and Gary Morrow as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer, effective January 1, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Vice-President BLACK made a motion to appoint Richard A. Grove as Treasurer and Thomas G. Vernau, Jr. as Assistant Treasurer, effective January 1, 2022. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to appoint the Cumberland County Assessment Office as the Township’s Delinquent Street Light Assessment Collector, effective January 1, 2022. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Vice President BLACK offered a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-R-04, recognizing Bryce Landis for 25 Years of Service to Lower Allen Township. Commissioner KUTZ seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS – Length of Service Awards

On behalf of the Township, President Villone recognized the following Township employees for years of service and presented each with a LETTER OF COMMENDATION:

Alex Milletics – 5 Years

William Yeagley – 10 Years

Helen Grundon – 15 Years

Michael Scarlato – 15 Years

Douglas Foltz – 20 Years

Bryce Landis – 25 Years

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  Any item on the agenda.

President Villone advised the audience that if there were any item on that evening’s agenda that they wish to comment on, to please indicate as such. There was none.

 

PRESIDENT VILLONE

President Villone requested a motion to approve the Check Register of December 30, 2021 in the amount of $120,919.23. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to remove Lieutenant Douglas Foltz, Lower Allen Township Police Department, from probationary status effective 1/11/2022. Vice President BLACK made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to remove Lieutenant Donald J. Sentman, Lower Allen Township Police Department, from probationary status effective 1/11/2022. Vice President BLACK made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to remove Michael Lightner, a Police Officer in the Lower Allen Township Police Department from probationary status effective 1/11/2022. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

 

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP

President Villone noted that if anyone wished to speak at that time, there would be 15 minutes allotted per person to speak at the podium. There was none.

MANAGER – Legislative Reapportionment Map Comment

Mr. Vernau noted the addition to the agenda and deferred to Commissioner Kutz to discuss the item. Commissioner Kutz introduced the issue of the Township’s opportunity to comment on the preliminary legislative reapportionment map. He explained that Township residents could be disenfranchised due to a potential splitting of the Mechanicsburg Area School District into separate legislative districts. He urged the Township Commissioners to support the presentation of a letter to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission encouraging them to unify Mechanicsburg School District within the 88th district. Vice President Black and President Villone expressed their support for the letter. Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to approve the letter to be sent from the Board of Commissioners. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

Vice President Black congratulated all those who were appointed or reappointed and sworn in, thanking them for their commitment to serve.

Commissioner Kutz expressed thanks to those willing to serve in volunteer positions, acknowledging their desire to serve the Township. He also welcomed new Commissioner Joshua Nagy.

Commissioner Nagy stated that he was honored to have been elected and thanked the Commissioners and staff for welcoming him. He thanked the Township staff recognized for their years of service. He noted his goal was to ensure he represented the residents, and for the betterment of the Township. He also acknowledged the support of his family and friends.

President Villone expressed thanks to the Board for the trust given to him to lead. He noted a promise to continue to serve with fidelity and integrity. He thanked his family, friends, and neighbors for their ongoing support. He welcomed Commissioner Nagy aboard and expressed thanks to the Township staff.

 

ADJOURN

President Villone confirmed that the meeting originally scheduled for January 10, 2022, was canceled. The reorganization meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.