Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA

April 1, 2019

 

The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Monday, April 1, 2019 at 7:00 pm. The meeting was held at the Township Building on Delaware Drive and LaBarr Lane, Westfall Township.

 

Those present were Chairman, Robert Melvin, Vice Chairman, Jerry Dotey; Supervisors; Robert Bostinto, Paul Fischer, Paul Schaldonat; Solicitor; Robert Bernathy; and Secretary, Jodi Manheim; Zoning Officer, Jeff Cammerino. Also present were Road Master, Bill Schneider; Emergency Management Coordinator, Mike Fischetta; Westfall Township Fire Department Chief; Fred Jacobs; Westfall Fire Department President, Bill Koferl; Treasurer, Scott Myer; Bernard Swartwood, Attorney Anthony Waldron and approximately seven members of the general public.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: The last executive session was held on February 4, 2019 at 6:40 pm for personnel matters and April 1, 2019 at 6:45 pm for personnel matters.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the agenda with no changes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Public Comment.

 

MINUTES:

 

March 4, 2019-Regular Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve the March 4, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with four in favor and one abstention.  Chairman Melvin abstained since he was absent for the March 4, 2019 meeting.

 

March 18, 2019-Workshop Meeting Minutes:  A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the May 18, 2019 Workshop Meeting Minutes.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Myer gave the report through the month of March, 2019.

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the Treasurer’s Report through the month of March, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

POLICE REPORT:  Chief Stewart gave the report for the month of March, 2019.  The report reflects the following:

 

7 Juvenile Arrests

13 Adult Arrests

5 Investigations

13 Motor Vehicle Crashes

4 Assaults

4 Thefts

1 Stolen Property

Weapons Offense 2

Drug Abuse 5

Drunkeness 1

Disorderly Conduct 2

All other 3

 

Significant Happenings:

*Aggressive Driving Wave has started-Reimbursed by State

*Attended a class for Verizon Public Safety Response

*Officers attended PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence Class

*Police Foundation hosting Annual 3D Archery Shoot June 22 @ Matamoras Airport Park

 

Vice Chairman Dotey commended Chief Stewart for a good job enforcing traffic signal compliance.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve the March, 2019 Police Report. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Fischer and carries with all in favor.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

 

Mill Rift Fire Department: Mr. Lewis gave the report for the month of March, 2019 which reflects as follows:

 

03/02/19: Work Day-Inside Maintenance

03/09/19: Monthly Meeting

03/20/19: Work Night-went over trucks-engine/tanker

03/27/19: Work Night-Inside Work-Tanker 1

 

Total Man Hours: 70

Total Equipment Hours: 33

Total Man Hours for the Year: 189

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the Mill Rift Fire Department Report for the month of March, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

 

Westfall Fire Department: Chief Jacobs gave the report for the month of March, 2019 which reflects the following: Fire Alarms-5; Inside Investigation-1; Outside Investigation-4; Standby-1; Structure Fire-1; Vehicle Accidents-3. The Total calls for March, 2019 were 15.  The total fire calls year to date are 26.

 

Man Hours:37.67

Man Hours YTD: 151.67

 

The EMS Report for the month of March, 2019 was as follows: Blooming Grove Township-1; Dingman Township-7; Matamoras Borough-8; Milford Borough-6; Milford Township-3; Orange County-9; Shohola Township-2; Westfall Township-43. Total calls for March, 2019 were 79.  Total EMS calls year to date are 247.

 

Man Hours-137.71

Man Hours YTD-312.71

 

Training for the month: 1 member attended a preventive maintenance class at the PCTC that was 16 hours long; 3 in house drills for a total of 30 man hours.  Training Hours to date-289; 3 members have started the EMT class in March-this class is 188 hours long-2 nights per week with occasional Saturdays and is about 5 months long.

 

The Departments Annual golf outing will now be in memory of Captain John Codichini. This event will be on Saturday, May 18 at the High Point Country Club.  All proceeds will go into a trust named after Captain Codichini.

 

Chief Jacobs thanked the Supervisors and the whole community for their support during this very difficult time.

 

 

 

 

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the Westfall Fire Department report for the month of March, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Mr. Schneider gave the report for March, 2019 which reflects the following:

*Mr. Schneider met with Mr. Maciak from Penn DOT to measure paving areas of Heaters Hill (top half), Doug Miller Road, Decker Lane and Cherry Court.

*Mr. Schneider met with Joe Hudak, Kiley Associates to locate boring site

*Mr. Schneider met with a representative from the Pike County Conservation District to go over the Bluestone Boulevard project and grant possibilities.

*Cold Patch was done throughout the township

*Maintenance on Equipment/Shop

*Shoulder Work

*Mr. Schneider met with Bonham Equipment to go over new truck body, systems and assembly

*Replaced down signs

*Cleared Culvert pipes and drains

*Cleared stone and anti-skid off of roads-broom being leased

*New pins and hydraulic bushings installed on backhoe

*Mr. Schneider attended the monthly Road Task Force Meeting

*2015 Dodge 5500 in for warranty work

*Cleared property for boring area

*Filled pot holes –Pond Eddy-New bridge is complete-large truck able to cross

 

Discussion followed regarding the Bluestone Boulevard project and the timing of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to send a letter to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to express the urgency of the approval process for the Bluestone Boulevard stream relocation project for the Health, Safety and Welfare of the community. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve the Highway Department Report for March, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

BUILDING/ZONING REPORT:  Jeff Cammerino gave the report for March, 2019 which reflects the following:

10 Building Permits and 4 zoning permits for the month of March, 2019 totaling $12,902.90.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Building/Zoning Report for March, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mr. Fischetta gave the report for March, 2019 which reflects the following:

*No calls for the month of March, 2019

*Westfall EMA became a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador which is a recognition given out by NOAA. The Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador initiative is an effort to formally recognize NOAA partners who are improving the nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water and climate events. .

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the Emergency Management Report for the month of March, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  On desk for review.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

1. Cable Company Contract/Franchise Agreement: Solicitor Bernathy provided a DRAFT Cable Franchise Agreement for review of the Board. This matter was tabled and will be placed on the May 6, 2019 Meeting Agenda.
2. Revised Engineering Fee Proposal-Salt Storage Shed: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the revised proposal which includes additional boring for future Highway Department Construction in the amount of $16,480.00. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
3. Specification Package for base of proposed salt storage building: This matter was tabled until Kiley Associates, LLC provides the bid package.
4. Fire Protection Contract-Compliance by Fire Departments: Solicitor Bernathy stated that significant discussion took place at the March 18, 2019 Workshop Meeting. Section 1801 of the Second Class Township Code grants the authority of the Supervisors to provide for fire protection within the township. A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to de-certify the Mill Rift Fire Department and to have the Westfall Fire Department take over the Mill Rift territory effective May 1, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.
5. Specification Package for Modification of Township Building/Police Department Relocation: This matter was tabled until Kiley Associates provides the bid package.
6. Bluestone Boulevard Stream Relocation Project: Discussed earlier in the meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

• Schedule Clean up Day: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to schedule/advertise the 2019 Clean Up day for Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 8:00 am to 2:00pm free of charge for Westfall Township Residents. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Donation to Mill Rift Museum/Civic Association: Discussion followed. A motion was made Vice Chairman Dotey to approve a donation to the Mill Rift Museum/Civic Association in the amount of $2,400.00 which is permitted per Section 1541 of the Second Class Township Code. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with three in favor and two in opposition. Chairman Melvin and Supervisor Fischer were in opposition.

• Appointment of Building Appeals Board Solicitor: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to appoint Attorney Jason Ohliger as Building Appeals Board Solicitor at the rate equal to the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Acknowledgement and Notice of Filing of Petition-Matamoras Borough, Westfall Township, acting by and through Eastern Pike Regional Police Department: Solicitor Bernathy stated a Petition has been filed with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board which is requesting an order for appearance. Chief Stewart explained that the officers of the Department are changing their union to the Teamsters for collective bargaining purposes so they have filed a Petition with the Court of Common Pleas. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve Solicitor Bernathy moving forward with the Order for Appearance. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

• Paving Projects: Portion of Heaters Hill, Doug Miller Road, Decker Lane and Cherry Court: A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve posting the legal notices for all four paving project bids due by May 2, 2019 at 3:00 pm to be opened at the May 6, 2019 Regular Supervisor Meeting. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Agreement: Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program-Regarding Sewer Line Extension: Mr. Waldron, Westfall Sewer Authority Solicitor, explained this is a contract for a grant through the Pike Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program which is for half of the costs ($52,500) of the engineering fee through HRG Engineers for extension of the 537 Plan. A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the agreement. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

• Letter from Attorney Waldron-Regan Development Corp: Attorney Waldron, Representative of Regan Development addressed the Board. Solicitor Bernathy confirmed the discussion is informal.   Attorney Waldron stated he was here with Mr. Regan back in September with an informal proposal for workforce housing. He noted the following:

• There is a need for workforce housing in this area

• The rental units would be for young people with families

• The units would not be Section 8 Housing with subsidized rent

• The rental rates would be $1,200 to $1,600 depending on bedrooms

 

            Mr. Waldron stated his client found a property which he likes for this proposal.  The property has access to

Central sewer and water.  He stated that Zoning Ordinance #124 allows for 15,000 square feet of density per

unit.  This was amended in Ordinance #166 to 2600 square feet of density per unit with a minimum of 6

acres.  His client would like to propose a zoning amendment to decrease the size of the acreage to 4 acres

and asked the Board for their consideration.

Mr. Waldron noted the following:

 

1. 60 unit proposal
2. 35’ high garden style apartment proposal
3. Owner of proposed property is Damec, LLC
4. Property is located just before Rose Lane on the right-Tax Map #099.00-01-34
5. Contract of Sale is contingent upon approvals

 

Discussion followed regarding parking requirements and the location of the proposed project.  Mr. Koferl

questioned the location as a possible “land fill” from years ago.  Mr. Swartwood said the property is a

“Superfund site”.  Solicitor Bernathy stated the Board would take the matter under advisement.

 

No further comment.  The Board thanked Attorney Waldron for coming in.

 

SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION:

• Arrump, LLC-Revised Minor Land Development Plan: Solicitor Bernathy explained that the applicant has passed the 90 time provision for map recording. He suggested the Supervisors ask send a letter to the applicant certifying all conditions have been met so that the maps can be signed and recorded accordingly.

 

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer authorizing Solicitor Bernathy to prepare and send a letter requesting certifying that all conditions have been met. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey

and carries with all in favor. .

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: No executive session held.

 

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Bostinto. Motion seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jodi Manheim

Secretary