Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA

January 7, 2019

The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Monday, January 7, 2019 at 8:26 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; Robert Bostinto and Paul Schaldonat; Solicitor; Robert Bernathy; and Secretary, Jodi Manheim. Also present were Road Master, Bill Schneider; Westfall Township Fire Department Chief; Fred Jacobs; Mill Rift Fire Department Chief, Bob Lewis; Treasurer, Scott Myer; Rob Llewellyn, Mr. and Mrs. David Pearce and approximately 10 members of the general public.

Supervisor Paul Fischer was absent.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Vice Chairman Dotey added #4 under New Business as “lease of lower level of township building”

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment.

 

MINUTES:

 

November 28, 2018-Supervisor Workshop Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the November 28, 2018 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

December 3, 2018-Supervisor Regular Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the December 3, 2018 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

December 14, 2018-Supervisor Special Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Chairman Melvin to approve the December 14, 2018 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with three in favor and one abstention.  Supervisor Schaldonat abstained due to his absence at the meeting.

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

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

POLICE REPORT:  Chief Stewart gave the report for the month of December, 2018.  The report reflects the following:

Significant Happenings:

*DV Special Education toured the police station

*Directed traffic for Jingle Jog Run

*Directed traffic for Christmas Parade

*Officers handed out $1,000 in gift cards that were donated

*Registered bicycles @ Airport Park

*January 7, 2019 marks the 11 year anniversary of the Regional Department

Miles patrolled: 6,764

YTD: 61,149

Motor Vehicle Accidents: 26

YTD: 195

Calls for the month: 229

YTD: 2,470

Westfall: 147

Matamoras: 82

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the December, 2018 Police Report. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

 

Mill Rift Fire Department: Chief Lewis gave the report for the month of December, 2018 which reflects as follows:

 

12/05/18: Work Night-Ran and checked all vehicles

12/11/18: Structure fire-111 Birch Road-Pellet stove malfunction

12/19/18: Work Night-went over engine-Tanker 1

12/23/18: Mutual Aid-Station 39-Alvin Court-Furnace Fire-Tanker

 

Total Man Hours: 65

Total Equipment Hours: 331

Total Man Hours for the Year: 985

 

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

 

Westfall Fire Department: Chief Jacobs gave the report for the month of December, 2018 which reflects the following:  6 Automatic Fire Alarms; 6 Motor Vehicle Accidents; 1 CO Alarm; 4 Controlled Burns; 2 Chief Investigations; 5 Structure Fires.   The Total calls for December, 2018 were 24.  The total fire calls year to date are 369.

 

The EMS Report for the month of December, 2018 was as follows: 62 Calls in Westfall Township, 10 Calls in Dingman Township, 7 calls in Milford Township, 10 calls in Milford Borough, 27 calls in Matamoras Borough, 2 calls in Delaware Township, 2 calls in Shohola Township, 1 call in Wayne County, Pa and 8 calls in Orange County, NY.  Total calls for December, 2018 were 129.  Total EMS calls year to date are 1,747.

 

The combined Year to Date calls are 1,747.

 

Training for the month: Four drills/In-house training sessions held for 72 hours

 

Other: New Department Officers: Chief-Fred Jacobs, 1^st Assistant Chief, Mike Pflanz, 2^nd Assistant Chief, Bernie Swartwood, Captain, John Codichini and Lieutenant, Hayden Thompson

 

Discussion followed regarding year end reports and the amount of ambulance calls being handled. Rob Llewellyn noted that 50% of all EMS calls are outside of Westfall Township.

 

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

 

 

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Mr. Schneider gave the report for December, 2018 which reflects the following:

*Department maintained equipment

*Metal Dumpster Clean Up-$700 income

*50 tons more salt ordered

*Ordered Milford Landing Drive Sign-Kuharchik will install on red light arm

*Cold Patching done throughout the township

*Trimming done on right of way

*Maintenance done on compost area

*Waiting for Surveyor to call regarding Bluestone Boulevard-Polatnick area

*Department was out for storms on 12/7, 12/13, 12/16, 12/24 and 1/3

*Mr. Schneider showed the Board some pictures of cable wires down around the township

 

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

 

BUILDING/ZONING REPORT:  Jodi Manheim read the report for December, 2018 which reflects the following:

1 Building Permit, 1 Electrical Permit and 6 Zoning Permits for the month totaling $4,236 with $2,700 outstanding due. One permit still ready for pick up.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the Building/Zoning Report for December, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mr. Fischetta gave the report for December, 2018 which reflects the following:

*No calls for the month of December

*Mr. Fischetta requested permission from the Board to start a Facebook page for Westfall EMA

*Mr. Fischetta reminded the Board of the NIMS requirements for any Supervisors that are not certified

*Mr. Ewbank returned all EMA equipment and Mr. Fischetta will submit a full inventory list at next month’s meeting

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to approve the department opening and maintaining a Facebook page as long as Mr. Fischetta maintains the page. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve the report for December, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  On desk for review.   

OLD BUSINESS:  

1. Highway Department Employee: This matter was tabled until after executive session near the end of the meeting
2. Proposed Fire Code Enforcement Ordinance: This matter was tabled.
3. Cable Company Contract/Franchise Agreement: This matter was tabled until a workshop meeting. Chairman Melvin directed Secretary Manheim to add the matter of scheduling a workshop meeting to the February 4, 2019 Supervisor Meeting agenda.
4. Specification Package for base of proposed salt storage building: This matter was tabled. Kiley Associates, LLC still working on bid specification package.
5. Fire Protection Contract: This matter was tabled until after the executive session near the end of the meeting
6. Township Building Security: This matter was tabled due to the Board still gathering information.
7. Ambulance Services: Solicitor Bernathy read Section 1553 of the Second Class Township code which refers to the responsibility of townships with regard to emergency services. Discussion followed. No action taken.
8. Sewage Expansion: Vice Chairman Dotey stated that Milford Township and Milford Borough are “on board” with the expansion project and are figuring out areas to obtain funds for the study. Mr. Schneider noted that HRG Engineering-Municipal Authority Engineering Firm is searching for grant monies for the 537 plan study. He also stated that an inter-municipal agreement will need to be done before the 537 Plan revision. Discussion followed. No action taken.
9. Copertino-Proposal for vacation of Graham Street: Secretary Manheim stated that nothing further has been submitted to the township at this time. Mr. David Pearce addressed the Board and stated he is a neighbor to Mr. Copertino. He presented some photos of the subject property and township right of way and noted that Mr. Copertino could erect a fence to provide privacy to his home without obtaining rights to the township road/right of way. Chairman Melvin stated that no decisions will be made regarding this matter at this time and directed Mr. Pearce to bring any photos or questions to a public hearing is this matter proceeds to that point. Discussion followed. Chairman Melvin noted the Supervisors will not deal with something that does not benefit the neighbors/community. No action was taken.

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

• Modification of Township Building/Police Department Relocation: Vice Chairman Dotey stated he has been discussing this matter with Chief Stewart. His plan is to have the lower level of the township building remodeled so that the police department may relocate their headquarters. Vice Chairman Dotey noted that part of the project would include flooding barricades on the outside of the building.

 

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to pursue the construction proposals for occupancy of the lower level of the township building by the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Storage Tank Liability Insurance Quote/Bind Coverage: A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve the insurance quote payment from Freberg Environmental Insurance in the amount of $1,152.00 and to decline terrorism coverage. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

• Boat & Fish Commission Parking Lot-flooding: Supervisor Bostinto noted the area in front of the township building is getting flooded again due to the large holes in the parking lot in the Penn DOT right of way. Discussion followed.

 

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to send a letter from the Supervisor to Penn DOT to ask that they address the issue in their right of way. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

• Lease of Lower Level of the Township Building: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to direct Solicitor Bernathy to prepare and send a 30 day “Notice to Quit” to the current tenant of the lower level of the township building, Matamoras-Westfall Historical Society. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

 

          

SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION:

 

• Letter from Planning Commission: Brooks Partners, L.P. and Deborah Pierson Fischer/Paul Fischer-Minor Subdivision/Lot Consolidation Application: Secretary Manheim stated she received a call from the applicant’s engineer earlier in the day asking the Supervisors to table this matter until the February Supervisor Meeting since the deeds have not been provided by the applicant’s legal counsel. Solicitor Bernathy confirmed there is no issue with timing and approval.

 

 

A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to table this matter until the February 4, 2019 Supervisor Meeting. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

An executive session was called at 9:23 pm for personnel matters.

 

The meeting was called back to order at 9:58 pm.

 

Highway Department Position: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to offer the open full time position to Mr. Richard Ransom at a pay rate of $17.50 per hour plus insurance/life/pension plan benefits contingent upon the employee manual requirements and copy of current CDL License effective immediately upon acceptance.  The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

Full Time Employee Pay Increase: A motion was made by Supervisor Schaldonat to approve a 3 % increase for the full time employees of the township excluding Mr. Ransom effective April 1, 2019.  The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Dotey and carries with all in favor.

 

Fire Protection Contract Compliance: This matter tabled until the February 4, 2019 Supervisor Meeting.

 

No further action taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Bostinto. Motion seconded by Supervisor Schaldonat and carries with all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jodi Manheim

Secretary