Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA
November 4, 2019
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The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Monday, November 4, 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 and Paul Schaldonat; Solicitor; Robert Bernathy; and Secretary, Jodi Manheim; Zoning Officer, Jeff Cammerino. Also present were Road Master, Bill Schneider; EPRPD Chief; Chad Stewart; Westfall Township Fire Department President, Bill Koferl; Emergency Management Coordinator, Mike Fischetta; Robin Waizenegger and approximately seven members of the general public.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: The last executive session was held on and November 4, 2019 at 6:46 pm for potential litigation.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Chairman Melvin added “Upper Delaware Council Grant” as #8 under New Business to the agenda.
A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the revised agenda. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Robin Waizenneger from 118 Stone Ridge Road addressed the Board. She informed the Board of the terrible road conditions on the Penn DOT section of Cummins Hill Road. The road is closed down to one lane due to construction and she is concerned of the runoff turning to ice in the winter due to drains being higher than the road surface.
Brief discussion followed. Chairman Melvin directed Jodi Manheim to contact Penn DOT to obtain a construction schedule.
MINUTES:
October 7, 2019-Regular Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the October 7, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with four in favor and one abstention. Supervisor Schaldonat abstained since he was absent for the meeting.
October 10, 2019-Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to approve the October 10, 2019 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Scott Myer gave the report through October, 2019. A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the Treasurer’s Report through October, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Stewart gave the report for the month of October, 2019. The report reflects the following:
Juvenile Arrests: 1
Adult Arrests: 5
Investigations: 6
Motor Vehicle Crashes: 16
Assaults: 1
Thefts: 7
Motor Vehicle Thefts: 1
Fraud: 1
Vandalism: 3
Drug Abuse: 5
DUI: 3
Drunkeness: 1
All other: 6
Significant Happenings:
*Met with DV Schools on Safety Issues
*Firearms Training
*Halloween Safety for DVETV
*Participated in Operation Safe Stop (School Bus Safety)
*Fingerprinted and made ID’s for kids at CDD
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the October, 2019 Police Report. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
WESTFALL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Bill Koferl, President gave the report for the month of October, 2019 which reflects the following:
Automatic Fire Alarms: 3
Assist Police: 1
Investigation Chief: 1
Investigation Outside: 1
Landing Zone: 2
MVA: 8
Standby: 1
Structure Fire: 2
Wires Down: 2
Vehicle Fire: 1
Total Calls For October: 22
YTD: 225
Man Hours: 81.56
YTD Man Hours: 418.97
The EMS Report for the month of October, 2019 was as follows: Delaware Township-3; Dingman Township-10; Matamoras Boro-6; Milford Boro-5; Milford Twp-7; Orange County-9; Shohola Township-1; Sussex County-1;Westfall Township-56
Total Calls for October-94
YTD-883
Man Hours-207
YTD Man Hours-1397
Training: 5 in house drills for 108.5 training hours
Discussion followed regarding ambulance service and lack of coverage in surrounding areas. Chairman Melvin requested a list of year to date calls from Mr. Koferl.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to send a letter to the Pike County Commissioners along with the list of calls to inform them of the issue. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.
A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Westfall Fire Department report for the month of October, 2019. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Mr. Schneider gave the report for October, 2019 which reflects the following:
- Installed culvert pipe on Roberts Lane
- Work on Decker Lane drainage
- Cherry Court-shouldering
- Maintenance at Pond Eddy and Fire Tower Road
- Brush trimming in Right of Way
- Mr. Ransom attended the 2 day Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Training
- Cleared ditches and culvert pipes throughout the township
- Assessed township during heavy rain storm
- Cold Patching on potholes throughout the township
- Meeting was held with the DCNR regarding the Bluestone Boulevard project
- Department was called out for a problem with the traffic light at Stella Street-Eastern Pike Regional Police directed traffic
- Tree removal from stream on Heaters Hill
- Continued training on Peterbilt
- Salt shed is under construction
A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Highway Department Report for October, 2019. The motion was seconded by Chairman Melvin and carries with all in favor.
BUILDING/ZONING REPORT: Jeff Cammerino gave the report for October, 2019 which reflects the following:
2 Building Permits totaling $2,061.30; 1 Electrical Permit totaling $124.50; 6 Zoning Permits totaling $900.00. Total Fees collected $3,085.80.
A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Building/Zoning Report for October, 2019. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mike Fischetta gave the report for October, 2019. There were no calls for service for the month of October, 2019. There were a few weather events over the last month that were closely monitored. EMA received and reviewed multiple briefing packages from NWS Binghamton and the Mid Atlantic River Forecast Center for these events.
Mr. Fischetta stated he met with Pike County Light and Power and they will be holding a tabletop meeting sometime in January.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the Emergency Management Report for the month of October, 2019. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE: On desk for review.
OLD BUSINESS:
2008 Chevrolet Truck Bid Proposals: Three sealed bids were received. Chairman Melvin opened each bid and the results were as follows:
- Mike Veneziano in the amount of $4,107.00 with $500.00 deposit
- Gary Kaszowski in the amount of $6,077.00 with a $607.70 deposit
- Jersey One Auto Sales in the amount of $3,657.00 with a $500.00 deposit
A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to award the bid to the highest bidder over the $5,000 minimum bid amount, Gary Kaszowski, in the amount of $6,077.00 and to reject the other bids due to the lower bid amounts. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
Freightliner Truck-Advertise for Sale: Secretary Manheim stated the vehicle was placed on the municibid auction site and two bids were received in the amount of $20,500 and $20,600 which did not meet the bid reserve price of $30,000.00.
Discussion followed.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to reject all bids and to approve the keeping of the Freightliner in the township fleet of vehicles. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Adoption of the 2020 Tentative Budget-Approval for advertising: Chairman Melvin reviewed each item amount on the tentative budget legal notice. He stated mills will be lowered by 1 in 2020 and that the mills have been lowered by 35% since the Earned Income Tax was enacted.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the 2020 Tentative Budget and to advertise the same in the Pike County Dispatch and Pocono Record. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
Paving Quotes-Front Parking Lot of Township Building: Three written proposals were received. Chairman Melvin read each proposal and the results were as follows:
- Warner Paving in the amount of $12,123.09
- Kowal Paving in the amount of $15,900.00
- Jagger Paving in the amount of $18,550
A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to award the project to the lowest bidder, Warner Paving in the amount of $12,123.09. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.
Agreement for Sign Language Interpreting Services (Mid-Hudson Interpreter Service): A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve the Agreement with the Mid-Hudson Interpreter Service for 2020. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.
Westfall Senior Center-Bond Reduction Request3-Letter from Kiley Associates, LLC: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the third bond reduction request from Pike Health Properties, LLC in the amount of $35,306.29 with the remaining bond balance of $1,199,063.79. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.
Mill Rift Fire Department Roof: Mr. Schneider stated there are a couple of leaks in the roof at this time. Solicitor Bernathy confirmed there is no structural damage at this time. Brief discussion followed.
A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to obtain one quote to repair the roof on the Mill Rift Fire Department Building and to have the repair completed as long as the quote is under the advertising requirement amount of $11,100. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.
Fee Schedule/Proposed Burning Ordinance-Schedule Workshop Meeting: Discussion followed regarding a proposed burning ordinance. Chairman Melvin stated the Supervisors put a lot of time and effort into this subject in the past and there was great opposition. The ordinance was never put into effect. Mr. Cammerino stated there have been recent complaints regarding burning of garbage in the township. He would like there to be regulations in effect.
Mr. Schneider stated his concern with leaf removal if an ordinance was put in effect. Mr. Fischer stated he has no problem with tabling this matter. Mr. Koferl stated an ordinance will not stop people from burning.
No further comment/public comment. This matter was tabled.
Discussion followed regarding a proposed fee schedule amendment. Chairman Melvin stated he feels that the township is financially stable and that the residents pay taxes and the township collects the Earned Income Tax. He stated the township wants to stay as business friendly as possible. Mr. Cammerino stated he did a comparison of fee schedules of all townships in Pike County and Westfall Township’s commercial permits fees are low. Supervisor Fischer stated costs need to be covered.
Discussion followed regarding penalty fees if structures are built without permits. Solicitor Bernathy stated the remedy is to take the property owner to court. He stated he will need to review the proposed changes and take under advisement.
This matter was tabled until further review.
Part Time Snow Plow Drivers: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to hire George Buchholz and Richard Mai as part time snow plow drivers at a rate of $20.00 per hour subject to a criminal background check and all employee manual guidelines. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
Upper Delaware Council Grant: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to obtain Mr. Martin’s grant writing services in accordance with previously approved contact to apply for a grant through the Upper Delaware Council to fund the paving of the front parking lot at the township building (application to be submitted by November 15, 2019). The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION:
Paddler’s Point-Garden Apartments-Final Land Development Plan-Letter from Planning: This matter was tabled due to a request from the applicant’s engineer. This matter will be placed on the agenda for the December 2, 2019 Supervisor Meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None held.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Schaldonat. Motion seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jodi Manheim
Secretary
