Westfall Township, Matamoras, PA

May 7, 2018

The Regular meeting of the Westfall Township Board of Supervisors was held Monday, May 7, 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, 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; Sargent Zegarski, EPRPD, Treasurer, Scott Myer; Steve McLaughlin, BIU Representative, Roman Prokopovych, P.E., Jennifer Borino, Penn DOT District 4-0, Marvin Eversdyke, Keith Williams, Penn DOT District 4-0, Steve Grandinali, PCP&L and Robin Waizenneger.  There were approximately 8 members of the general public present.

Chairman Robert Melvin was not present.

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Supervisor Bostinto added “#9 under New Business as Non Uniform Pension Fund Proxy”.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment.

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the April 2, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to approve the April 12, 2018 Workshop Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the April 26, 2018 Workshop Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

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

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

POLICE REPORT: Sargent Zegarski gave the report for the month of April which reflected the following:

Significant Happenings:

-Emergency Services Meeting with the DV School District

-Installation of Radio Equipment

-The EPRPD Foundation 3D Archery Shoot on Saturday, May 12, 2018

-Participated in Pike County after Action discussion on storms

-Body Cam Demo at Station

Miles Patrolled: 5,811

YTD: 18,181

 

Motor Vehicle Accidents: 8

YTD: 51

Calls for month: 170

Westfall: 118

Matamoras: 52

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the Police Report for the month of April, 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 April, 2018:  7 Automatic Fire Alarms, 5 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 1 Assist EMS, 3 Brush Fires, 1 Chief Investigation and 3 Public Service (training).  Total calls for April, 2018 were 20; 101 calls YTD

The EMS Report for the month of April, 2018 was as follows: 45 Calls in Westfall Township, 9 Calls in Dingman Township,15 calls in Milford Township, 17 calls in Milford Borough, 18 calls in Matamoras Borough, 1 call in Blooming Grove,  2 calls in Shohola Township,  1 call to Sussex County, NJ and  3 calls in Orange County, NY.  Total calls for April, 2018 were 111.  Total EMS calls YTD are 454.

The combined Year to Date calls are 555.

Training for the month: Four Drills/In-house training sessions held for 86 hours

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

August 10-Pulled Pork Dinner

Other: Purchased New Ambulance-delivery scheduled for early May

EMS subscription drives out to residents early

GO 24 Store hydrant has not been installed

Best Western Dry Hydrant not repaired

Roy Rogers Knox Box not installed

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

Mill Rift Fire Department: No representative present. No report submitted.  Vice Chairman Dotey stated the report will be submitted tomorrow to the township office.

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

1. Department installed culvert pipe on Decker Lane and worked on drainage issue
2. Cold patch was applied to township potholes
3. Pot holes were patched in Pond Eddy
4. Hot patch was applied to areas on Malibu Road
5. Tree removal was done on Bluestone Boulevard in Township Right of Way
6. Maintenance was done on spreader
7. New tire ball joint was installed on front of the back hoe
8. Department was called out twice for trees down on roadways
9. Price quotes obtained for Freightliner and Pick Up Truck purchase
10. Maintenance done on compost area
11. Township Lawn mowing
12. Ordered fifty tons of salt for storage pile

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

BUILDING/ZONING REPORT: Wayne Rohner was not present.  Jodi Hulse gave the report for the month of April, 2018 which reflected the following:

11 Building Permits totaling $9125.00 in fees

4 Zoning Permits totaling $250.00 in fees ($75.00 outstanding)

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

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Mike Fischetta was present and gave the report for the month of April, 2018 which reflected no calls for the month.

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to approve the report for April, 2018 and to send the letter. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

CORRESPONDENCE:  On desk for review.   

OLD BUSINESS:

1. 1. Proposed Fire Code Enforcement Ordinance: This matter was tabled.

• Emergency Access Road-Township Property–Delaware Drive to Decker Lane: This matter was tabled.

• Workshop Meeting-USDA loan information (held on April 12, 2018): Supervisor Bostinto explained the loan program which is available thru the USDA.

 

 

No further discussion and no decisions were made.

• Workshop Meeting-with Shohola Township Supervisors (held on April 26, 2018): Vice Chairman Dotey explained the issue of the lack of EMS coverage in neighboring areas. Chief Llewellyn noted that 59% of all EMS calls were out of the Westfall Township area. Vice Chairman Dotey stated the Board is reaching out to Dingman Township and Milford Township to organize a meeting for further discussion. Solicitor Bernathy stated a letter has been sent from his office to Dingman and Milford Township.

 

 

No further discussion and no decisions were made.

 

• Decker Lane Stream Location-Kiley Associates, LLC-proposal for environmental design and permitting services: Vice Chairman Dotey explained this is one of the projects which needs further evaluation. This matter was tabled until actual costs of project are obtained.

• Heater Hill Creek Gravel Bar Removal-Kiley Associates, LLC-proposal for environmental services: Vice Chairman Dotey noted this is part of the same project as the Decker Lane Stream Location. This matter was tabled until actual costs of project are obtained.

• Pond Drive-dredging of pond estimate: This matter was tabled until actual costs are obtained.

• Truck Purchases-Specification and Bid Prices: Discussion followed. Solicitor Bernathy noted there is no bidding requirement since the purchases are approved and handled through the COSTARS bidding program. Vice Chairman Dotey stated the Township may obtain a loan from the Municipal Authority of the Township of Westfall. Scott Myer confirmed the Township has the funds available to purchase both. Vice Chairman Dotey stated the Board will decide at a later date.

 

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Bostinto to order both the 2019 Freightliner including the chassis, dump body and snow plow at a cost of $159,898.00 and the 2019 Ford F-350 Pick up Truck with plow and spreader at a cost of $50,334.00 with payment source determined at a later date. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.  

NEW BUSINESS: 

• Building Inspection Underwriters-Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Audit: Vice Chairman Dotey thanked Steve McLaughlin for maintaining a great job in handling the Township’s Building Department and that the audit results were very good.
• Discussion regarding proposed revision to zoning ordinance to change the definition of number of dogs for “kennel”: Solicitor Bernathy read the section of the zoning ordinance defining a “kennel” as “11 or more dogs, six months or older”. Supervisor Wilkins referenced a recent zoning hearing which addressed complaints of a property housing ten large dogs. Brief discussion followed. Ms. Waizenneger suggested any more than three dogs should constitute a “kennel”. Discussion followed regarding the nuisance of the dogs referenced in the recent zoning hearing. Solicitor Bernathy noted there were no “attacking dogs” discussed as part of the hearing. He also read part of the Zoning Ordinance which states five acres are required for a “kennel” use.

 

 

 

A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to send this matter to the Planning Board for discussion and recommendation of reducing the number of dogs for a “kennel” use. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

 

• Pike County Power and Light Company-Steve Grandinali: Mr. Grandinali came to the Board to do a “re-cap” of the last large storm of the season. He noted the following:

• There was a wide spread impact

• The main line from Matamoras Bridge to Milford and up Route six lost half the circuit

• Damage assessment crews were lined up

• 95% of power was restored within 24 hours

• Harlan Contractors were hired

• General Technicians and a third customer service representative was recently hired

 

 

Vice Chairman Dotey thanked Mr. Grandinali for doing a great job during the storm. Supervisor Bostinto thanked Mr. Grandinali for removing trees on electrical strands in the Mill Rift area.

 

• Thank you to Township Residents/DV High School Warriors Football Team/Business employees for road side clean up on Route 6 & 209 and Reuben Bell Drive: A motion was made by Supervisor Fischer to approve the cost of posting a “thank you” in the Pike County Dispatch. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Bostinto and carries with all in favor.

• Letter from Upper Delaware Council-Requirement for submittal of all plans located within delineated river corridor: Solicitor Bernathy stated there is question as to whether this is applicable. This matter was tabled and will be added to the next workshop meeting agenda for discussion.

• Penn DOT-Information session regarding SR 06 Section 408 Project: Representative: Roman Prokopovych, P.E.-Jacobs and Jennifer Borino, P.E. Civil Engineer, Penn DOT District 4-0

 

 

Mr. Prokopovych addressed the Board with an update since the design phase of the project. He noted the project location as east of the DV school campus driveway through the Kmart Plaza.  Four signals would be upgraded.  Eight signals will have battery back- up and a wireless communication system.  Mr. Prokopovych stated the project  should be awarded to contract at the end of August, 2018 and will be started in March of 2019 with an estimated completion date of September/October of 2019.

Discussion followed regarding construction of sidewalks by the school. Mr. Prokopovych stated there are no sidewalks included in the plan design and that there would be permitting issues.

Mr. Prokopovych also noted there will be no physical changes to the roadway from the I84 ramp to Price Chopper.

Discussion followed regarding the installation of a street light at the Price Chopper intersection. Mr. Williams stated the installation will be included in the plan as long as it is within the limits of work.  He noted the cost of the lighting would transfer to the township.

Chief Llewellyn confirmed the opticom systems would remain.

Mr. Williams stated there will be new paving markings made of thermal plastic which are longer lasting.

No further comment or information provided.

The Board thanked all representatives for their time and information.

“Shredding” Day: Supervisor Bostinto asked the Supervisors and the public if anyone is interested in having the portable truck service come and offer shredding services. Brief discussion followed.

No decisions were made.

• Resignation Letter dated May 7, 2018 from Robert Ewbank, Emergency Management Coordinator:   A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to accept Mr. Ewbank’s resignation effective midnight July 31, 2018. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.

 

Mr. Fischetta stated he may be interested in the position but would check with the other assistants and get back to the Board. 

• Non Uniform Pension Fund Proxy: A motion was made by Vice Chairman Dotey to send the proxy voting form voting for all nominees listed and to abstain from other items listed for votes. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

 

 

SUBDIVISION REVIEW and ACTION:

• Malibu Land Holdings, LLC-Schedule Conditional Use Hearing (letter from Planning): A motion was made by Supervisor Wilkins to schedule/advertise/order stenographer services for the Malibu Land Holdings, LLC Conditional Use Application for June 4, 2018 at 6:45 pm. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Fischer and carries with all in favor.
  

EXECUTIVE SESSION: An executive session was called at 8:12 pm for the purposes of personnel.

The meeting was called back to order at 8:26. Vice Chairman Dotey directed Ms. Hulse to set up interviews for the Highway Department job opening.

 

No further discussion took place and no other decisions were made.

 

ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Fischer. Motion seconded by Supervisor Wilkins and carries with all in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jodi Hulse

Secretary