MINUTES POSTED HERE ARE NOT OFFICIAL.  THE MINUTES ARE POSTED ON THIS SITE AS A CONVENIENCE TO TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS.  THE OFFICIAL MINUTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE FOR REVIEW.

POTTER TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MEETING OF MAY 1, 2006

 

The first monthly meeting of the Potter Township Board of Supervisors was held on Monday, May 1, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. at the Township Building, 124 Short Road, Spring Mills, PA with Supervisors Tom Sharer, Bob Corman, Richard Poorman and Paul Zerby present.  Also attending were Secretary Brenda Burd, Solicitor Robert Rayman and Road Superintendent Budd Brooks.  Monty Strouse was absent.

 

Also attending were Dale Wilt, John Zerby, Stacy Zerby, Ellen Zerby, Janet Zerby, Mick Rowles, Frank Cummins, Darlene Shutt, Sandra Rishel, Mel Sammis, Penny Waltz, Alan and Joy Decker, and Chuck Herr.

 

At 7:00 P.M. Chairman Sharer opened the meeting by asking everyone to stand and pledge allegiance to the flag after which he called the meeting to order.  Tom announced the meeting is audio recorded for the purpose of assisting the Secretary with preparing minutes only; no file of these tapes is kept.

 

Minutes of the April 10, 2006 were approved on a motion by Bob C. and seconded by Rich.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Citizens Concerns

  • Mel Sammis asked when the Sinking Creek Subdivision 30-day comment period will start.  Stanley said the ad will run some day this week in the Centre Daily Times.

 

Centre Hall Fire Co. – no report

 

Subdivisions

  • Dollar General Store – Stan Wallace

Stan told the Board the County gave two options for the entrance to the Dollar General:  Option 1. Name the driveway into the store and give Dilliards an access off that driveway and a new address entirely; or Option 2. Let Dilliards keep their current address and assign 421 S. Pennsylvania Avenue to the Dollar General.  Bob C. made a motion to support Option 2 to let Dilliards keep their current address and assign 421 S. Pennsylvania Ave. to the Dollar General, seconded by Rich, motion carried unanimously.  Brenda will do letter to Norm Spackman.

  • Sinking Creek Subdivision – Stan Wallace 

Stan discussed the Sinking Creek Road/Route 144 intersection.  They will re-grade along the State Right-of-Way and change the guiderail.  He informed the Board the Township needs to be the applicant and sign all applications for the project.  This is a safety issue at no cost to the Township.  Bob C. made a motion to support that direction, seconded by Paul, motion carried unanimously.

 

Secretary’s Report

  • Asked the Board who to send the 2-Hydrogeological Reports to.  Don Franson suggested either Todd Giddings & Associates or Meiser & Earl Hydrogeologists.  Rich made a motion to use Meiser & Earl, seconded by Paul, motion carried unanimously.  Tom asked Brenda to also get a price from them.
  • Asked for signatures on the County Aid Application for Liquid Fuels.  Paul made a motion to approve, seconded by Bob C., motion carried unanimously.
  • Handed out information on mandatory NIMS Training. 

 

Open Discussion

  • Paul called the citizen that Tom named in executive session last month and that citizen apologized to Paul not intending anything against Paul; it came about because he talked to the prior Zoning Officer and he got his information from him.
  • Paul spoke to Lisa Warren of PSATS who told him it is not advisable to remove a Chairman after he’s voted in at a reorganization meeting.
  • Paul said he spoke to his attorney and asked Bob Rayman to write a letter to his attorney stating you can remove the Chair.  Paul said he will continue to pursue this matter.
  • Paul said Frank Downie knows a man that wanted to buy the Penn State Farm to farm it.  He said we put $20,000 in Ag Preservation each year to preserve farm land and turn around and want to buy one to take it out of production.  Discussion followed on the Farm, Centre Hall Borough, water rights and liability insurance for a park.  Paul discussed the 50+ acres the Township already owns and could be made into a park.
  • They discussed the committee they asked the Fire Company to form and didn’t.
  • They discussed the in-lieu-of fee.  If it’s not used within 3-years we must return it to the payer.  Paul heard someone suggest we turn this money over to another Municipality if we don’t use it within 3-years and he objects to this.  Paul asked Bob R. if we can give the in-lieu-of fee money to another Municipality.  Bob said as it currently stands we cannot give it to another Municipality.
  • John Z. said his lawyer told him he cannot be thrown out of a meeting unless he swears or cusses or throws things.
  • Paul pointed out that Roberts’ Rules is only a guideline, not the law, and PSATS says a Chairman can make a motion and asked Bob R. to confirm this.  Bob R. said it is not illegal for a Chair to make a motion.
  • Dale W. said he figures the former Zoning Officer’s personal calls cost the Township over $1,000.  Tom said they previously approved these bills to be paid but they would take it under advisement in executive session.

 

At 8:00 P.M. Chairman Sharer recessed the regular meeting for an executive session on legal issues.

 

At 9:25 P.M. Chairman Sharer closed the executive session and reconvened the regular meeting.

 

Tom said the land purchase issue is tabled until more information can be obtained on a purchase strategy and they have asked Bob R. to come up with a plan.  It will be well advertised and they hope to get something by August or September on what they are doing or are not doing.  They talked about advertising in another Newsletter or the Grape vine.

 

Dale W. asked about the zoning phone bills and Tom said there will be no further action taken.  These bills have already been approved and the Board cannot support pursuing further.

 

Paul made a motion for Bob Rayman and Chuck Herr to continue with the Mason issue, seconded by Bob C., motion carried unanimously.

 

Bob C. made a motion to advertise the Public Hearing for the “Building and Zoning Permit Ordinance”, seconded by Paul, motion carried unanimously.  Public Hearing will be June 12, 2006.  Brenda was told to ask Chuck Herr, Jeff Wingert and Rick Hampton to the June 5th work session to discuss the ordinance.

 

The Board discussed not having meetings the first Monday of the month for June, July and August.  They decided they will conduct brief meetings followed by work sessions and Brenda will not need to attend to take minutes.  Paul made this a motion, seconded by Rich, motion carried unanimously.  Brenda will re-advertise.

 

Tom had spoken with an insurance broker at the conference and asked Brenda if she’s received anything from him.  We received an information inquiry from him but have not provided the information yet.  She was told to ask him to a work session.  Budd suggested inviting the employees also since it directly involves their benefits. 

 

Adjourn

At 9:55 P.M. Chairman Sharer adjourned the meeting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Brenda K. Burd

Secretary/Treasurer

 

 

NIMS – National Incident Management System

PSATS – PA State Association of Township Supervisors

THE MINUTES POSTED HERE ARE NOT OFFICIAL.  THE MINUTES ARE POSTED ON THIS SITE AS A CONVENIENCE TO TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS.  THE OFFICIAL MINUTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE FOR REVIEW.

 

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