Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA
January 2, 2018
The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 7:31 pm just following the Organization Meeting. 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; Paul Fischer and Robert Bostinto; Solicitor; Robert Bernathy; and Secretary, Jodi Hulse. Also present were Zoning Officer, Wayne Rohner; Road Master, Bill Schneider; Westfall Township Fire Department Chief; Robert Llewellyn; Westfall Fire Department President; Bill Koferl; Treasurer, Scott Myer; Michelle Wilkins, Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Noll, Roland MacDonald and approximately 6 members of the general public.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment.
MINUTES:
December 4, 2017-Regular Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the December 4, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Chairman Melvin and carries with three in favor and one abstention. Supervisor Fischer abstained since he was not present for the December 4, 2017 Supervisor meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Myer gave the report through the month of December, 2017. He noted that income is over budget for the year and that the income for the delinquent taxes was a large amount. He also noted that the income for permits and real estate transfer tax income were higher than budgeted. Mr. Myer also stated there is $46,000 left over from 2017 in the Capital Road fund for future projects.
Vice Chairman Dotey, Chief Llewellyn and Bill Koferl left the meeting due to an emergency (7:35 pm).
Discussion followed regarding Fire Tower Road.
A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Treasurer’s Report through the month of December, 2017. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.
POLICE REPORT: No representative present and no report submitted for the month of December, 2017.
FIRE DEPARTMENTS:
Westfall Fire Department: Chairman Melvin read the report submitted earlier in the meeting by Chief Llewellyn: 7 Automatic Fire Alarms; 7 Motor Vehicle Accidents; 5 Chief Investigation; 2 Assist EMS; and 4 Structure Fires. The Total calls for December, 2017 were 25. The total fire calls year to date are 281.
The EMS Report for the month of December, 2017 was as follows: 50 Calls in Westfall Township, 15 Calls in Dingman Township, 8 calls in Milford Township, 33 calls in Milford Borough, 21 calls in Matamoras Borough, 5 call in Shohola Township, 1 call in Blooming Grove Township, 1 call in Sussex County, NJ and 5 calls in Orange County, NY. Total calls for December, 2017 were 139. Total EMS calls year to date are 1,128.
The combined Year to Date calls are 1409.
Training for the month: Four drills/In-house training sessions held for 80 hours
Other: Go 24 Store hydrant has not been installed; Best Western Dry Hydrant not repaired; Roy Rogers knox box not installed.
A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to approve the Westfall Fire Department report for the month of December, 2017. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
Mill Rift Fire Department: No representative present and no report for December, 2017 submitted.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Mr. Schneider gave the report for December, 2017. He noted that the department handled eight storms in December, 2017. He ordered 200 tons of anti-skid and 175 tons of salt which have been delivered and stockpiled. Mr. Schneider stated that the department maintained all equipment after each storm. He also contacted Pike County Light and Power regarding the parking lot lighting. No response from PCPL at this time. Mr. Schneider will contact the company once again.
A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the Highway Department Report for December, 2017. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
BUILDING/ZONING REPORT: Wayne Rohner gave the report for December, 2017. He confirmed there were 2 building permits, 1 planning permit, and 1 zoning permit for the month of December, 2017 totaling $1,706.50 in fees.
A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Building/Zoning Report for December, 2017. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mr. Ewbank submitted the report for December, 2017 by email. There were no calls for the month of December, 2017.
A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the report for December, 2017. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE: On desk for review.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Proposed Fire Code Enforcement Ordinance: This matter was tabled. Solicitor Bernathy needs information from the Fire Chief.
- Emergency Access Road-Township Property-Delaware Drive to Decker Lane: This matter was table. Solicitor Bernathy and the Supervisors are waiting for a survey to be completed by Kiley Associates, LLC.
- Township Building-Parking Lot Lighting: Mr. Schneider stated he is waiting for a call back from Mr. Grandinali at Pike County Power and Light.
Supervisor Bostinto mentioned the installation of a stop sign at the end of LaBarr Lane. Brief discussion followed. No action taken.
- Municipal Expansion-Highway Department: This matter was tabled due to the absence of Vice Chairman Dotey.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Letter of Interest from Michelle Wilkins for Supervisor Vacancy: Chairman Melvin explained that Ms. Wilkin has been on the Westfall Planning Commission for several years. Brief discussion followed.
A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to appoint Ms. Wilkins to fill the Supervisor vacancy through December 31, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
- Letter of Interest from Gregg Noll for Supervisor Vacancy: Chairman Melvin thanked Mr. Noll for his interest and asked if he would be interested in being appointed as a Planning Commission member. Mr. Noll agreed to accept the position.
Ms. Wilkins verbally resigned from the Planning Commission and will follow up in writing with the Township Secretary. A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to accept Ms. Wilkins resignation. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to appoint Mr. Noll as Planning Commission member. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
- Appointment of Supervisor to fill vacancy: This matter was addressed earlier under “New Business”
- Advertise Vacancies: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to advertise all vacancies as reflected at the Organization Meeting in both township newspapers. The Motion was seconded by Chairman Melvin and carries with all in favor.
- Storage Tank Liability Insurance: A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to reject terrorist coverage for the underground storage tank liability insurance policy and to bind coverage with Endurance American Specialty Insurance. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.
- Resolution 2018-2—In opposition of the House Bill 1920 (PN 2146), entitled the “Wireless Infrastructure development bill”: Solicitor Bernathy explained the Resolution.A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Resolution 2018-2. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.
- Letter from DVSD-Approval from LED Light Installation and township billing/reimbursement: Discussion followed.A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to conditionally approve the project subject to terms set forth in an agreement between the parties. The motion includes sending a letter requesting the school district to forward a proposed agreement. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION: NONE
Roland MacDonald asked the board if lines could be installed on Cummins Hill Road. Discussion followed. Mr. Schneider noted the Second Class Township Code does not require lines to be painted on the Township Roadways.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
None held.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Bostinto. Motion seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jodi Hulse
Secretary
