Westfall Township

Supervisor Regular Meeting Minutes-April 2, 2018

Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA

April 2, 2018

The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Monday, April 2, 2018 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; Paul Fischer, Robert Bostinto and Michelle Wilkins; Solicitor; Robert Bernathy; and Secretary, Jodi Hulse. Also present were Road Master, Bill Schneider; Westfall Township Fire Department Chief; Robert Llewellyn; Zoning Officer, Wayne Rohner; Treasurer, Scott Myer; John Dalton, Joe Hoehmann and Kelly Hoehmann.  There were two members of the general public present.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: The last executive session was held March 5, 2018 at 7:46 pm for the purposes of litigation regarding Malibu Ranch

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: No changes were made to the agenda. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Dalton addressed the Board with concern regarding the Police Department funding split between Westfall Township and Matamoras Borough. He referenced a presentation he submitted in 2014 to the Board.   Mr. Dalton suggested the Board consider contributing ½ % more towards the split.  He also suggested the Board take into effect the amount of police calls, census figures and road miles.  Mr. Dalton stated the Board should be prepared for a request from Matamoras for an increase in the Westfall Township contribution toward the funding split.

Chairman Melvin stated that all is negotiable and that he remembers Mr. Dalton’s presentation and will take it into consideration.

Mr. Dalton asked about the house in front of Price Chopper which has been secured with boards. Solicitor Bernathy noted that unless the structure is dangerous there is nothing the Township can do and the position of the Township has not changed since Mr. Dalton’s last inquiry.

No further public comment.

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the March 5, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with four in favor and one abstention.  Chairman Melvin abstained due to his absence at the March 5, 2018 meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Myer gave the report through the month of March, 2018.

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

POLICE REPORT: No representative present.  No report submitted.  Chairman Melvin directed Ms. Hulse to ask Chief Stewart to submit the report for March, 2018 as soon as possible.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

Westfall Fire Department:  Chief Llewellyn read the report for March, 2018:  7 Automatic Fire Alarms, 4 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 1 Spill Control, 2 CO Alarm, 4 Chief Investigation, 8 Utility Wires/Tree Down, 2 Traffic Control, 6 structure fires.  Total calls for March, 2018 were 34; 81 calls YTD

The EMS Report for the month of March, 2018 was as follows: 50 Calls in Westfall Township, 8 Calls in Dingman Township, 8 calls in Milford Township, 18 calls in Milford Borough, 12 calls in Matamoras Borough, 3 call in Shohola Township, 1 call in Delaware Township, 1 call in Greene Township and  5 calls in Orange County, NY.  Total calls for March, 2018 were 106.  Total EMS calls YTD are 343.

The combined Year to Date calls are 424.

Training for the month: Five Drills/In-house training sessions held for 112 hours

Fundraising: May 12-Annual Golf Outing-High Point Country Club

August 10-Pulled Pork Dinner

Other: EMS Subscription drive out to residents currently; Go 24 store hydrant not installed; Best Western Dry Hydrant not repaired; Roy Rogers knox box not installed.

Discussion followed regarding the amount of Emergency Services Calls being handled by the Department.

Chairman Melvin directed Ms. Hulse to gather the last six months of Westfall Fire Department Reports and email them to the Board.

 

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

 

Mill Rift Fire Department: No representative present.  Ms. Hulse read the report submitted for March, 2018:  It read as follows:

3/3/18: Wires and trees down-Delaware Drive/Bluestone Boulevard-Compton Court

3/3/18: 34 Tanker to assist 39 on 84 road closure

3/13/18: Monthly Meeting

3/20/18: Work Night –Equipment Maintenance

3/25/18: Work Night-Work on Brush Truck

Total Man Hours: 82

Total Equipment Hours Year: 78

Total Man Hours for the Year: 239

The Mill Rift Fire Department report for March, 2018 was approved on motion by Supervisor Wilkins. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

BUILDING/ZONING REPORT: Wayne Rohner gave the report for March, 2018:  One zoning permit was issued for the month of March, 2018 with a fee of $100.00.

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the Building/Zoning report for the month of March, 2018. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: No representative present.  Ms. Hulse read the report submitted by Mr. Ewbank.  There were three calls during the March 2nd and 3rd storm.

The Board directed Ms. Hulse to send a letter to Mr. Ewbank to ask for clarification of the calls for the month of March.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the report for March, 2018 and to send the letter. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

 

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Mr. Schneider gave the report for March, 2018.

 

Mr. Schneider reported the following for the month of March:

  1. Department handled all storms throughout the month
  2. Salt was ordered
  3. Department did maintenance on equipment
  4. Mr. Schneider had meeting on March 27, 2018 with PCCD, Army Corp of Engineers, Kiley Associates and Supervisor Dotey regarding issues on Decker Lane, Pond Drive and Bluestone Boulevard
  5. Cold Patching was done throughout the Township
  6. Trees were cleared from storm damage from the roadways
  7. Fire Tower road Maintenance/plowing was done

 

Discussion followed regarding a complaint received about trees on cable wires in Mill Rift on Delaware Drive (Penn DOT roadway). Mr. Schneider asked the Board if he could hire a tree removal company to remove the trees.  Solicitor Bernathy stated that indemnifications and waivers would be required from Penn DOT.  Supervisor Fischer noted another area of Delaware Drive near Decker Lane where there is a tree laying on a wire.

Discussion followed regarding a tree on Bluestone Boulevard within the township right of way on a township road.

A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to approve the cost of tree removal up to $1,000 to remove the tree on Bluestone Boulevard. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to send a letter to the cable company and Penn DOT to alert both of the trees on the cable on Delaware Drive in Mill Rift and Delaware Drive near Decker Lane. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

Discussion followed regarding compensation for part time employees when performing tasks other than snow plowing.

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the hourly rate of $15.00 for part time employee compensation while performing other tasks than snow plowing. The motions includes the requirement that the employee must pass the vetting process as per the township employee manual.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

  1. Mr. Schneider also attended the Penn DOT District 4-0 meeting in Dunmore on March 26th.
  2. He confirmed with Chairman Melvin that all guide rails have been replaced throughout the township except for the area of the slide on Bluestone Boulevard.
  3. Mr. Schneider also met with Joe Hudak, Kiley Associates regarding reducing the cost of the proposed highway department building. Mr. Hudak is working on a revised figure.

 

Discussion followed regarding the need for two new township vehicles. Mr. Schneider stated in 2008 the Freightliner and the pick-up truck were purchased.  The Freightliner has been out of service quite often lately due to problems with the electric units which has been repaired.  He noted that without this truck it is hard to keep up with the snow plowing.

 

Chairman Melvin directed Mr. Schneider to obtain a quote with specifications for the purchase of a new freightliner by the May 7, 2018 Supervisor Meeting. Solicitor Bernathy confirmed the vehicle is covered under the state bidding process and would be exempt from the bidding process.

 

Chairman Melvin also directed Mr. Schneider to obtain a quote with specifications for the purchase of a new pick-up truck by the May 7, 2018 Supervisor Meeting. Mr. Schneider noted the need for a smaller truck in areas like Pond Eddy and in the case of trees down for maneuvering.

 

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

CORRESPONDENCE:  On desk for review.   

OLD BUSINESS:  

  1. Proposed Marijuana Facilities Ordinance #171: This matter was handled at the public hearing held just prior to the meeting at 6:45 pm
  2. Proposed Fire Enforcement Ordinance: This matter was tabled.
  3. Emergency Access Road-Township Property-Delaware Drive to Decker Lane: Vice Chairman Dotey said the correct map has been emailed from Kiley Associates. Solicitor Bernathy requested a full size copy of the survey. Ms. Hulse agreed to obtain one from Mr. Hudak and forward it to Mr. Bernathy.
  4. Decker Lane and Pond Drive Flooding Issue/Bluestone Boulevard-PCCD Meeting (held March 27, 2018): Vice Chairman Dotey stated he met with Kiley Associates, Army Corp of Engineers, Pike County Conservation District and Mr. Schneider regarding three project which need to be addressed; Decker Lane, Pond Drive and Bluestone Boulevard. Discussion followed regarding the Decker Lane area and the repairs which need to be done to alleviate flooding issues. Mr. Dotey explained that the stream that comes down must be put back into the original stream bed which flows into the Delaware River. The representatives from the Army Corp of Engineers and PCCD agreed. Solicitor Bernathy noted there may be an easement acquisition required. He requested to see the plans. Chairman Melvin noted the Board needs to obtain the cost estimates and make a decision to prioritize the projects and invest in the right areas.

 

 

 

Discussion followed regarding the swale and rocks installed in the Decker Lane area. Mr. Schneider explained the PCCD coordinated with Kiley Associates for erosion control and recommended the swale and the stone size.  Chairman Dotey said the size of the rocks will make a bigger flooding problem and that something needs to be done.  Solicitor Bernathy questioned the engineer/PCCD recommendation and the failure of same.  Mr. Hoehmann stated that Ms. Enslin from the PCCD told him that the PCCD handles only erosion control and not flooding.  Chairman Dotey noted the PCCD is aware of the township wanting to remove the rocks from the swale and that they have no objection.  Brief discussion followed.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to direct the highway department to remove the rocks in the swale and place the rocks on the sides of the swale on Decker Lane as long as erosion protection is not affected. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

 

 

A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to schedule/advertise the workshop meeting with the representative from the USDA for April 12, 2018 at 11:00 am for the purposes of discussion of loan options for the proposed highway department project. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

5. Schedule Special/Workshop Meeting with Shohola Township Board of Supervisors-regarding emergency services: A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to schedule/advertise the workshop meeting with the Shohola Township Board of Supervisors regarding emergency services. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

6. Milford Water Authority-Vacancy on Board: Ms. Hulse stated there is no vacancy on the board at this time so the motion to advertise the vacancy from the March, 2018 Supervisor Meeting must be withdrawn.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to withdraw the motion made at the March 5, 2018 Supervisor Meeting to advertise the vacancy on the Milford Water Authority Board. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.  

NEW BUSINESS: 

1. Schedule Clean -Up Day: A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to schedule/advertise the yearly clean-up day for Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm free of charge to Westfall Township residents only with the same restrictions as the previous year. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

2. DEP Policies: Solicitor Bernathy explained two DEP Polices (385-2208-003 and 385-2207-001) which have been advertised for public comment. This information was provided to the Board by Chris Wood, SEO, by email this past week. Solicitor Bernathy briefly explained the policies but needs more information before the Board submits any comment which is due by April 9, 2018. He said he would contact Mr. Wood to obtain more information and then speak to Mr. Melvin. 

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to designate Chairman Melvin to send a comment letter to the Department of Environmental Protection by April 9, 2018 after obtaining clarification from Solicitor Bernathy. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

Discussion topic changed to Highway Department employees.A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to advertise the highway department laborer vacancy position to include the benefits package, CDL license required, compensation to commensurate with experience and applicant must comply with employee handbook requirement/policy. All applications to be submitted by April 30, 2018.  The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.  

SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION:

NONE

EXECUTIVE SESSION: NONE

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. on a motion by Chairman Melvin. Motion seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jodi Hulse

Secretary