Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA

October 1, 2018

The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Monday, October 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm. The meeting was held at the Township Building on Delaware Drive and LaBarr Lane, Westfall Township.

Those present were Vice Chairman, Jerry Dotey; Supervisors; Paul Fischer and Robert Bostinto; Solicitor; Robert Bernathy; and Secretary, Jodi Manheim. Also present were Road Master, Bill Schneider; Westfall Township Fire Department Chief; Robert Llewellyn; Cpl. Chelsea Abadessa, EPRPD ; Emergency Management Coordinator, Michael Fischetta; Zoning Officer; Wayne Rohner; Richard Ransom, John Dalton. Attorney Anthony Waldron and Larry Regan, President, Regan Development Corp. were also present. There were approximately 5 members of the general public present.

Chairman Robert Melvin and Supervisor Michelle Wilkins were absent.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: The last Executive Session was held August 6, 2018 at 6:00 pm for personnel matters   and litigation.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Supervisor Fischer added “#13 under new business as approval of Secretary vacation days”

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the revised agenda.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the September 6, 2018 Joint Workshop Meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the September 10, 2018 Regular Supervisor Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with two in favor and one abstention.  Supervisor Bostinto abstained due to his absence at the meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: The Treasurer’s Report through the month of September, 2018 presented by Scott Myer.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Treasurer’s report through the month of September, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

POLICE REPORT: Cpl. Chelsea Abbadessa gave the report for the month of September, 2018 which reflected the following:

 

Significant Happenings:

-Participated in Emergency Operation Center Training

-Conducted a tour to 15 DV High School Students of Station

-Conducted firearms training for all officers

-Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency Audit

-Conducted a Prescription Medication Drop at Airport Park on 09/29

 

Miles Patrolled: 5,020

YTD: 45,100

 

Motor Vehicle Accidents: 13

YTD: 130

 

Calls for month: 213

YTD: 1,831

Westfall: 141

Matamoras: 72

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Police Report for the month of September, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

 

Westfall Fire Department: Chief Llewellyn read the report for September, 2018: 4 Automatic Fire Alarms; 4 Motor Vehicle Accidents; 3 Water Rescue/Dive Team; 1 Brush Fire; 1 Assist EMS; 1 Assist EPRPD; 1 Stand By Transfer; 1 Dumpster Fire; 15 Controlled Burns; 2 Utility/Tree Down; 3 Chief Investigation; 2 Structure Fire  –  Total calls for September, 2018 were 38; 269 calls YTD

 

The EMS Report for the month of September, 2018 was as follows: 45 Calls in Westfall Township; 10 calls in Dingman Township; 4 calls in Milford Township; 16 calls in Milford Borough; 8 calls in Matamoras Borough; 2 calls in Delaware Township; 1 call in Sussex County, NJ; 9 calls in Orange County, NY. Total calls for September, 2018 were 95.  Total EMS calls YTD are 1202.

 

The combined Year to Date calls are 1,471.

 

Training for the month: Four Drills/In-house training sessions held for 60 hours; Three additional members received National Fire Fighter 1 Certification

 

Other: Submitted for State Accreditation for the Department; Completed Standby for Hill Crest Fire Department

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Westfall Fire Department report for the month of September, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

 

Mill Rift Fire Department: No Representative present.  The Report for September, 2018 is on file.

 

 

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Mr. Schneider gave the report for September, 2018 which reflected the following:

 

1. Shouldering work was done on Sand Pit Road, Pine Hill Farm and Phillips Lane
2. Trim work was done on right of ways
3. Cold Patching was done on pot holes throughout the township
4. Reuben Bell Drive and Heaters Hill Road paving projects are complete
5. Mr. Schneider attended the monthly Road Task Force Meeting
6. Mr. Schneider worked on the 2019 Budget for the department
7. 2019 Ford Pick Up Truck in now in service
8. Maintenance on shop area/equipment was done
9. Sign replacement
10. Decker Lane pipe replacement
11. Culvert Pipe maintenance
12. Tree Clean Up on Old Milford Road
13. Municipal Property lawn maintenance

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Highway Department Report for the month of September, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

BUILDING/ZONING REPORT: Wayne Rohner gave the report for the month of September, 2018 which reflected the following:

 

6 Building Permits-$6,651.00

3 Zoning Permits-$300.00

1 Electrical Permit-$124.50

 

Total Fees $7,075.50

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the Building and Zoning Report for the month of September, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mike Fischetta gave the report for the month of September, 2018 which reflected no calls for the month. Mr. Fischetta stated that EMA is starting the process of reviewing and updating the township Emergency Operations Plan.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the EMA Report for the month of September, 2018. 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: Solicitor Bernathy is working on a draft and has been speaking with Chief Llewellyn. This matter was tabled.

• Highway Department Full Time Employee: This matter was tabled until after the executive session later in the meeting.

• Cable Company Contract: Solicitor Bernathy is working on a draft. This matter was tabled.

• Specification Package for base of proposed salt shed building: Secretary Manheim stated that the specifications have not yet been provided by Kiley Associates, LLC. This matter was tabled.

• Arrump, LLC-Liquor License Transfer: This matter was handled at the Public Hearing held just prior to the meeting at 6:30 pm. Transcript will be on file at the township office.

• Ralph Burger/Westfall Township-Agreement re: Emergency Access Road: This matter was tabled until after the executive session later in the meeting.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

• Resignation of Michelle Wilkins: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to accept Michelle Wilkin’s resignation. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor. Solicitor Bernathy read Section 407 of the Second Class Township Code regarding “vacancies”.

• Highway Department Part Time Employee-Employment Application: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to hire Richard Ransom as a Part Time Highway Department Employee at the rate of $20.00 per hour. The motion was seconded Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor. Solicitor Bernathy confirmed that this position does not require a Commercial Driver’s License.

• Approval of Paving Invoice-$1,052.32 over approved bid amount: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the payment due to an area of extended culvert pipe on Heaters Hill Road. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Correspondence from National Park Services dated 9/11/18-requesting a meeting: This matter was tabled until New Business #11 to combine the meeting.

• Pennsylvania Townships Health Insurance Cooperative Trust-Ballot for Elections of Trustees: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to recommend Shirl Barnhart and Lester Houck as Trustees for the 2018 Ballot for Election of Trustees for Pennsylvania Townships Health Insurance Cooperative Trust. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• PSATS Unemployment Compensation Group Trust-Ballot for Election of Trustees: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to recommend Shirl Barnhart and Lester Houck as Trustees for the 2018 Ballot for Election of Trustees for PSATS Unemployment Compensation Group Trust. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Abatement of Tax Request-Katherine Defilippo-Tax Control #13-0-120885: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the abatement of taxes according to Pike County Tax Claim Administration Notice dated September 5, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Abatement of Tax Request-Paul F. and Noreen Farina-Tax Control #13-0-120886: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the abatement of taxes according to Pike County Tax Claim Administration notice dated September 5, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Exoneration of Taxes for interim bills: Rivers Edge-Control #13-0-121070, 13-0-121071, 13-0-121073, 13-0-121074, Sarveideo, Paul & Vita M.-Control #13-0-121072 and Stewart, Eric and Becky-Control #13-0-002853: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the exoneration of taxes according to the Pike County Tax Claim Administration notice dated September 12, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Change October 11, 2018 Planning Meeting from a Workshop to a Regular Meeting: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to change the October 11, 2018 Planning Workshop to a Regular Meeting so that the Planning Commission can conduct business at this meeting. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Schedule Special Meeting: Discussion followed regarding a recent Land Development/Subdivision application for Pike Health Properties, LLC/Nursing Home/Assisted Living Facility. The applicant is in the planning process and has time deadlines for the project start date. A Special Meeting was requested at the planning meeting to help with the meeting these deadlines.

 

 

            The Supervisors also discussed inviting the National Park Service to this meeting.  They decided to do so.

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to schedule/advertise a Special Meeting on Monday, October

15, 2018 at 6:00 pm for the purposes of considering the Pike Health Properties, LLC Land Development

Subdivison Application, to meet with a Representative from the National Park Service and handle any other

business that may come before the Board.   The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with

all in favor.

• Pike Health Properties, LLC-Planning Module Application: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the Pike Health Properties, LLC-Planning Module Application received by the township on August 23, 2018 for an Assisted Living Center and Nursing Home with a proposed location of Tax Map 099.07-01-01. The Planning Module application to the Department of Environmental Protection is for an exemption due to the project being approved to connect to the Municipal Authority of the Township of Westfall by the Authority. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Secretary Vacation Approval: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the following dates for Secretary Manheim’s vacation days for 2018: September 27; October 18 and 25; November 1, 15 and 29; December 6, 20, ½ day 24, 26, 27 and ½ day 31. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

 

 

SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION: None

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  An executive session was called at 7:24 pm. for personnel matters.  The meeting was called back in session at 7:39 pm.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to direct Solicitor Bernathy to send correspondence to Ralph Burger regarding the Right of Way Agreement for the access road to Decker Lane. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to advertise for a full time Highway Department Employee with the same requirements as the recent legal posting due to the low number of applications received. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

 

No further action taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Fischer. Motion seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Jodi Manheim

Secretary