Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA

September 10, 2018

The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Monday, September 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm. The meeting was held at the Township Building on Delaware Drive and LaBarr Lane, Westfall Township. The meeting was called to order late due to the 6:30 pm Public Hearing length of time.

Those present were Chairman, Robert Melvin; Vice Chairman, Jerry Dotey; Supervisors; Paul Fischer and Michelle Wilkins; Solicitor; Robert Bernathy; and Secretary, Jodi Manheim. Also present were Road Master, Bill Schneider; Westfall Township Fire Department Chief; Robert Llewellyn; Westfall Fire Department President, Bill Koferl; EPRPD Sargent Zegarski; Emergency Management Coordinator, Michael Fischetta; Zoning Officer; Wayne Rohner; and 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.

Supervisor Robert Bostinto was absent.

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Chairman Melvin added #9 under Old Business as “Payment of Paving Projects”

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Dalton addressed Chairman Melvin referring to the allocation of police cost.  He asked if Chairman Melvin considered what they spoke about privately.  Chairman Melvin stated this matter would be discussed later in the meeting and that this matter is on the agenda and that Mr. Dalton would be allowed to participate in the discussion.

No further public comment.

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the August 6, 2018 Regular Supervisor Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries all in favor.

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the August 20, 2018 Joint Workshop Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

 

September 6, 2018 Joint Workshop Meeting Minutes: Tabled

 

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

 

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

 

POLICE REPORT: Sargent Zegarski gave the report for the month of August, 2018 which reflected the following:

 

Significant Happenings:

-Attended a Joint Press Conference for the arrest of 3 persons in overdose deaths across Pike County including Westfall Township

-Crime Mapper Grant Software Installed

-Qualified DV School Police with Patrol Rifle

-PD Foundation holding a 3D Archery Shoot at Airport Park September 15^th

 

Miles Patrolled: 5,158

YTD: 40,080

 

Motor Vehicle Accidents: 15

YTD: 117

 

Calls for month: 265

YTD: 1,353

Westfall: 155

Matamoras: 110

 

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

 

FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

 

Mill Rift Fire Department: No representative present.  Secretary Manheim read the report for the month of August, 2018:

 

08/01/18: Work Night

08/04/18: River Rescue Cherry Island-3 River Rescue Calls

08/07/18: Monthly Meeting

08/14/18: River Rescue

08/15/18: Work Night-Diver Training

08/16/18: Mutual Aid Station 39-Truck Fire

08/22/18: Work Night

08/29/18: CPR Class

 

Total Man Hours for August, 2018: 70

Total Equipment Hours for YR: 241

Total Man Hours for the Year: 648

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the Mill Rift Fire Department Report for the month of August, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

Westfall Fire Department:  Chief Llewellyn read the report for August, 2018:  7 Automatic Fire Alarms; 2 Motor Vehicle; 9 Water Rescue-Dive Team; 1 Vehicle Fire; 1 CO Alarm; 5 Controlled Burns; 2 Utility-Tree Down; 7 Chief Investigation; 2 Structure Fires-  Total calls for August, 2018 were 36; 231 calls YTD

 

The EMS Report for the month of August, 2018 was as follows: 67 Calls in Westfall Township; 9 calls in Dingman Township; 9 calls in Milford Township; 12 calls in Milford Borough; 20 calls in Matamoras Borough; 1 Call in Blooming Grove; 2 Calls in Shohola Township; 6 calls in Orange County, NY . Total calls for August, 2018 were 125.  Total EMS calls YTD are 1107.

 

The combined Year to Date calls are 1,338.

 

Training for the month: Five Drills/In-house training sessions held for 88 hours

 

 

Other: Submitting for State Accreditation for the Department

 

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

 

 

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

 

1. Mr. Schneider attended a meeting regarding maintenance at Machipacong Island-with Army Corp of Engineers and DRBC
2. Shop Inspection for Workers Compensation Policy
3. Both Reuben Bell Drive and Heaters Hill Paving Projects have been completed
4. Right of Way Trimming has been done
5. Lawn maintenance at township building grounds
6. Sign replacement
7. Cold patching throughout the township
8. Mr. Schneider is working on obtaining flood gate information
9. Mr. Schneider obtained salt shed quotation information

 

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

 

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

 

7 Building Permits-$4,939.50

4 Zoning Permits-$225.00

 

Total Fees $5,164.50

 

Chairman Melvin stated that he had a conversation with Mr. Rohner regarding compliance of signs throughout the township. He directed Mr. Rohner to monitor this.

 

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

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mike Fischetta was present and gave the report for the month of August, 2018 which reflected no calls for the month. Mr. Fischetta completed the G-271 Hazardous Weather and Flooding Preparedness course which was 16 hours of classroom training.   His report also noted that he is aware of the severe weather developing and flooding potential over the next few days.  Mr. Fischetta stated he would continue to monitor the situation and make the appropriate notifications as necessary.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the EMA Report for the month of August, 2018. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  On desk for review.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

• Proposed Code Enforcement Ordinance: Tabled-Solicitor Bernathy working on draft

• Price Chopper Street Light Installation-Cost Estimate: Secretary Manheim spoke with the electric company earlier in the day and there will be no charge for the installation of the light. A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the application reflecting Pike County Power and Light monthly billing charges of $27.87 per unit. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

• Highway Department Employee: Secretary Manheim stated there were no applications received. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to re-advertise the position with the same conditions. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

• Emergency Services-September 6, 2018 Joint Workshop Meeting Information-Appoint representative/schedule advertise joint workshop meeting: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to schedule a joint workshop meeting for October 4, 2018 at 6:00 pm at the Westfall Township Building. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to appoint Chairman Dotey as Representative for the Emergency Services Committee. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

• State Police Fines: Solicitor Bernathy stated the Regionalization Agreement is silent regarding state police fine collection since there is a law which governs the allocation of these funds according to Senate Bill 237. He noted the Supervisor can change this if they wish. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to forward all state police fines to the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department effective September 10, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

 

 

Discussion followed regarding the state police fine coding and fines being paid the Matamoras Borough in error, instead of Westfall Township. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to direct Solicitor Bernathy to send a letter to the Pennsylvania State Police reminding them of Westfall Township Jurisdiction.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

• Fence Estimate-Front of Municipal Building: Tabled

• Municipal Authority Truck Loan Note: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the Note in the amount of $169,446.00 at an interest rate of 2.5% for 120 months. The motion includes to remove the last paragraph of the note which refers to “Confession of Judgement”. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

• Bluestone Boulevard Stream Location-Engineering Quote: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the engineering quote from Kiley Associates, LLC dated September 4, 2018 in the amount of $23,600.00. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

• Payment of Paving Projects: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to provide payment from the Capital Road Account for the two paving projects (Portion of Reuben Bell Drive and Portion of Heaters Hill Road) previously approved in the amount of $163,080.50. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

• MRM Workers Compensation Trust-Addition of EMS Volunteers to existing policy: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to ratify retroactive payment of $337.00 to add EMS workers to the existing insurance policy through MRM Workers Compensation Trust which payment is good through September 30, 2018. The motion also is to include the approval of payment for the 2018/2019 fiscal year coverage for same at the cost of $2,700.00. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

• Westfall Township Fire Department-Participating Department Recognition Application: A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the application. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Approval of Municipal Street Light Billing agreement-new lights at Township Building Parking Lot:

 

1. 1. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the application reflecting Pike County Power and Light monthly billing charges of $27.87 per unit. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Bond Reduction Request No. 8 (amended)-Rivers Edge Senior Townhomes: A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to approve the bond reduction for the Rivers Edge Senior Townhome project to the amount of $451,165.00. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Highway Department Building-Partial Aluminum Roof Coating Estimate: Discussion followed. A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the proposal in the amount of $2,000.00 from Thomas Lamb for the partial Aluminum roof coating. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

• Pike County Association of Township Officials Annual Convention-October 5, 2018: A motion was made by Chairman Dotey to approve the payment of $200.00 for attendance of the convention by Supervisors Wilkins and Fischer and Vice Chairman Dotey. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Salt Storage Building: Discussion followed. Mr. Schneider obtained a bid/specs from Clear Span in the amount of $33,475.56 plus prevailing wage cost. This bid is exempt from bidding since the company is a participating member of National Joint Powers Alliance. The bid does not include the base structure. The storage unit will hold 250 tons of salt.   This matter was tabled until specifications are provided by Kiley Associates for the base structure and project is advertised for bidding and bids are received and reviewed.

 

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to direct Kiley Associates to draft a specification package for

the base and masonry for the structure for advertising.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and

carries with all in favor.

• Inter-municipal transfer of Liquor License R17321 Request-Prophets, Inc. (Shohola Township) to Arrump, LLC (103 Delbert Drive, Westfall Township)-Schedule Hearing: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to schedule/advertise the said hearing for October 1, 2018 at 6:30 pm with the applicant responsible for providing legal notice. The motion was seconded by Chairman Melvin and carries with all in favor.

• Correspondence from Pike County Communications Center-Cable Company Contract: Solicitor Bernathy stated he suggested this in the past but the matter was not addressed. Discussion followed. Chairman Melvin directed Solicitor Bernathy to prepare an agreement and forward to the cable company.

• Upper Delaware Council-Federal Funding for River-Related Law Enforcement Survey: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to send the survey which has been completed by Chief Stewart to the UDC. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

• 2019 Eastern Pike Regional Police Department Budget/Regionalization Agreement: Chairman Melvin explained that the number of police calls and miles patrolled are more for Westfall than Matamoras. Also, that Westfall has more room for population to grow. Chairman Melvin explained a proposed funding split of and increase to Westfall Township of 1.5% each year for four years. Mr. Dalton explained his 10 year analysis which was presented to the Board of Supervisors previously. He suggested the Supervisors follow his proposed plan. Discussion followed. Chairman Melvin stated he feels this is a good deal for everyone and to insure public safety. Vice Chairman Dotey agreed and noted the increase will grow with the needs of the department.

 

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve a revision in the Regionalization Agreement to reflect an increase in the Westfall Township funding percentage by 1.5 % per year for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 contingent upon the Matamoras Borough Council agreeing to these terms. The split for 2022 will be 59% of funding to Westfall Township and 41% to Matamoras Borough.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Notice of Act 205 2018 Distress Determination Score-Municipal Pension Reporting Program: Chairman Melvin stated the Non Uniform Pension Plan for Westfall Township is funded adequately.

 

1. 1. No action taken.

• Schedule Budget Workshop: A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to schedule a budget workshop for October 10, 2018 @ 7:00 pm with an alternate date of October 15, 2018 @ 7:00 pm. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

• Correspondence from Attorney Waldron-Extension of Municipal Authority Sewer Collection System: Chairman Melvin read the correspondence dated August 29, 2018 from Attorney Waldron. Mr. Waldron explained the need for the extension through Milford Township. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to support the project exploration and grant opportunities. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

• Padder’s Point-Garden Apartments/Regan Development Group-Informal presentation: Representatives: Attorney Tony Waldron and Larry Regan, President of Regan Development Group

 

 

The following information was presented to the Board informally regarding the proposal:

1. Regan Development Group is under evaluation to acquire Paddler’s Point Development
2. No proposed change to the number of units previously approved
3. Regan Development headquarters are located in NY
4. 50% of units will be Work Force Housing-
5. affordable housing- Not Section 8 Housing
6. Met with commissioners in July
7. Proposed rental housing
8. Mix with market rate rental housing
9. Approved now for garden apartments
10. Regan Development is a family run real estate development company
11. No contract of sale at this time
12. Strong need for workforce housing in the area
13. 1 to 2 bedrooms
14. Younger couple tenants
15. Post grad student-tenants$600 to $700 per month rent
16. Household median
17. Not targeting public assistance clients
18. 60 units for funding application-through the state-Phase 1
19. 40 market rate units-Phase 2
20. Work Phase-State Funding-Phase 3
21. Keeping same building footprint as approved previously
22. Proposal will not affect the approved land development plan

 

Discussion followed regarding a request for tax decrease for the proposal to allow for rents to be compliant with the state program. Chairman Melvin stated the municipality could use this type of rental facility and that it would benefit the youth in the area.  He noted that tax mils are down 33% over the past five years and that all residents should remain on “equal footing” as far as taxes are concerned.  Supervisor Wilkins agreed.

 

Mr. Regan noted that he may not be able to come to an agreement with the current owner and may need to look for an alternate site. Attorney Waldron noted the importance of finding a site with access to central sewer.

 

Mr. Regan noted that once his company purchases property for a project they keep the property for at least 25 years and that his family runs the operations.

 

No further comment.

 

SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION: None

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: An executive session was called at 8:55 pm. for personnel matters.  The meeting was called back in session at 9:10 pm.  No decisions were made.  Chairman Melvin noted the executive session was for discussion regarding fire department personnel.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m. on a motion by Vice Chairman Dotey. Motion seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Jodi Manheim

Secretary