Regular Meeting                                                                                                                         December 9, 2008

 

 

The regular meeting of the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chairman McGrath in the Assembly Room of the Millcreek Township Municipal Building.  Present were Gerald Wolf, Lawrence Curtis, Brian McGrath, Joseph Kujawa, Evan Adair, Esq., Phyllis Vollbrecht, Richard Morris, P.E., and Chief Richard Andrews.

 

Following the Pledge to the Flag, Chairman McGrath called for public comment on agenda items other than development or rezoning applications.  No comments were received.

 

It was moved by Mr. Curtis, seconded by Mr. Kujawa, to approve the minutes of the November 18, 2008 meeting.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis, in two separate motions, to approve payment of the weekly bills as follows:

 

                        General Fund                                          $467,409.28

                        Sewer Revenue Fund                                $935,403.20

 

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

It was moved by Mr. McGrath that with regard to a budget for the 2009 calendar year, the minutes of this meeting include the following:

 

1.                   For approximately the last 60 days and under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, work has been undertaken to prepare a proposed budget for the 2009 calendar year.

 

2.                   A draft of the proposed and preliminary budget has now been prepared and is ready and available for public inspection.

 

3.          Public notice of the preparation and availability for inspection of the preliminary 2009 budget has been advertised in the December 9, 2008 issue of the Erie Times News.

 

4.                   The preliminary and proposed budget shall be available for public inspection for the next 20 days in the Office of the Secretary at the Millcreek Township Municipal Building, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and at the Millcreek Township Police Department on weekends and holidays from December 9, 2008 until December 30, 2008.

 

5.                   At the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, and after making such revisions as it deems necessary, the Board of Supervisors intends to adopt a budget for the calendar year 2009.

 

Mr. Kujawa seconded the motion.  Mr. McGrath thanked Treasurer Wolf for his hard and diligent work on this difficult budget.  Mr. Curtis also thanked Mr. Wolf for the tremendous amount of time put into this budget.  Mr. Kujawa thanked Mr. Wolf for his hard work on this tough budget with all the uncertainties involved.  The blue collar workers contract is not settled and the Board is still waiting for an arbitration ruling on the Police Contract. 

 

Mr. McGrath reported the 2009 Budget at $22,129,840 which is $600,000 less than last year’s budget.  The Board hopes for an estimated $413,000 fund balance at the end of 2009.  Revenues in 2009 are estimated at $530,000 less than last year.  He explained some of the details:

 

Realty Transfer Taxes:     In 2008, $182,000 less collected than what was budgeted

                                                In 2009, $180,000 less budgeted

Earned Income Tax:         In 2008, $100,000 less collected than what was budgeted

                                                In 2009, $100,000 less budgeted

Interest Income:               In 2008, $  75,000 less earned that what was budgeted

                                                In 2009, $50,000 less budgeted

DCED:                          In 2009, Recycling Grant will be $344,000 less

Liquid Fuels:                  In 2009, State Aid will be $40,000 less than 2008

Gas and Diesel Fuel:        In 2008, $51,000 spent over what was budgeted

In 2009, $40,000 more budgeted

Rock Salt:                      In 2008, $100,000 spent over what was budgeted

In 2009, $100,000 more budgeted

Medical Insurance:           In 2009, an increase of 12% (about $400,000)

 

In order to reduce the budget in anticipation of those higher costs, services will be reduced.  Several things that will be done include the significant cutting of major projects and the hiring of only two police officers mid-year after the retirement of four police officers in the beginning of 2009.  There will be no tax increase in 2009 for Millcreek residents.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

It was recommended by Engineer Morris, moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve the release of Citizens Bank Letter of Credit S903721 in the amount of $394,194.35 for Carriage Homes of Asbury Ridge (Saint Mary’s Home of Erie, developer).  All public improvements were completed in accordance with Township specifications.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

It was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Kujawa that Cpl. Richard Skonieczka be permitted to attend the National Symposium on Child Abuse from March 23 to 26, 2009 in Huntsville, Alabama.  The $500 conference fee will be paid by a scholarship awarded to Officer Skonieczka.  Expenses will include travel, lodging, and meals.  Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On motion by Mr. McGrath, seconded by Mr. Curtis, the following were approved for the 2009 winter staff:

 

            MIHS Pool

            Leona Carlson                 Aquatic Director                                     $10.00/hour

            Ashley Marsteller            Supervisor/Water Safety Instructor              $10.00/hour

            Jenise Postas                   Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Stephanie Komorek          Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Brittany Pearson              Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Ashely Wieczorek            Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Anne Seamans                 Water Safety Instructor (sub)                      $  9.00/hour

            Sharon Fuller                  Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Rachel Robinson              Water Safety Instructor (sub)                      $  9.00/hour       

            Lauren Stucznski             Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Barbara Halmi                Water Safety Instructor (sub)                      $  8.00/hour

            Cory Pentz                     Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Lizzie Schraven               Water Safety Instructor                             $  9.00/hour

            Karen Link                     Water Safety Instructor (sub)                      $  9.00/hour

            Jill Robinson                   Lifeguard                                               $  7.65/hour

            Kelly Kabasinski              Lifeguard                                               $  7.65/hour

            Andrew Gorniak              Lifeguard                                               $  7.65/hour

            Madison Bott                  Lifeguard                                               $  7.65/hour

            Samantha Dylewski          Lifeguard                                               $  7.65/hour

            Julie Eckendorf                Lifeguard                                               $  7.15/hour

            Kathleen Magoon Water Exercise                                                   $10.00/hour

 

            Open Gym

            Chet Vendetti                  Supervisor                                              $  8.00/hour

            Arvin Fiedtkou                Supervisor                                              $  8.00/hour

            Sam Steiner                    Supervisor – Table Tennis                         $  8.00/hour

 

            Youth Dance

            Ashley Lindenberger         Supervisor                                              $10.00/hour

            Marah Lindenberger         Asst. Supervisor                                      $  9.00/hour

 

            Adult Leisure

            Betty Nelson                   Painting and Drawing                               $10.00/hour

            Charles Elliott                Basket Making                                        $10.00/hour

            Arlene Elliott                  Knit and Crochet                                     $10.00/hour

            Tim Rettger                    Silk Flower                                            $10.00/hour

            Megan Merz                   Watercolor                                             $  9.50/hour

            Julie Ferraro                   Scrapbooking                                           $  9.50/hour

            Kathy Jury                      Jewelry                                                  $  9.50/hour

 

            Yoga

            Janet Peters                    Supervisor                                              $10.00/hour

            Janet Stachowiak             Supervisor                                              $10.00/hour

            Qi Gong

            Joanne Miller                  Supervisor                                              $  9.50/hour

           

            Aerobics

            Laurie Gualtier-King        Supervisor                                              $10.00/hour

 

            Weight Training

            Nylene Baney                  Supervisor                                              $10.00/hour

           

            Adult Dance

            Carol Gilbo                    Supervisor                                              $10.00/hour

 

            Preschool and Toddler Aerobics

            Margaret Cacchione         Supervisor                                              $  9.50/hour

 

            Martial Arts

            Frank DiSalvo                 Supervisor                                              $10.00/hour

 

            Tuite

            Joe Logue                       Supervisor                                              Volunteer

 

            Barn Supervisors

            Evelyn Bossar                 Supervisor                                              $  9.00/hour

            Al Bossar                       Supervisor                                              $  8.50/hour

            Robert Fuller                  Supervisor                                              $  9.00/hour

            Arlene Elliott                  Supervisor                                              $  8.00/hour

            Charles Elliott                Supervisor                                              $  8.00/hour

 

            Tai Chi

            Dave Wayman                 Supervisor                                              $  9.00/hour

            Kathy Wayman                Instructor                                               $  7.15/hour

 

Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. Kujawa said there are still gift tags on the Giving Tree in the lobby.  People are welcome to get a tag, purchase a gift for that child, and return it wrapped before December 17. 

 

On the recommendation of Attorney Adair, it was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to approve the appraisal of Township owned property in East Springfield by Bob MacIsaac of Erie Appraisal Services at the cost of $450.00.  The Board anticipates advertising for bids for the sale of that property.  Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Engineer Morris requested permission to seek PennDOT funding known as the Pennsylvania Community and Transportation Initiative (PCTI) for the realignment of Norcross Road with Henderson Road at its intersection with Wattsburg Road.  The project would improve traffic flow by eliminating an inefficient offset intersection.  The available funding is not a grant program and there is no local match required.  Eligible projects must support Smart Transportation principles.  The project would include:

 

1.                   Reduce congestion on Route 8 since additional green time would be available with the elimination of the travel time between Norcross and Henderson Roads.

2.                   Provide additional storage for vehicles between the intersections of Gore and Henderson instead of the existing Gore to Norcross.

3.                   Increase the Belle Valley Fire Department front driveway area.

4.                   Allow for Norcross Road westbound left and right turn lanes.

5.                   Eliminate “duplicate” signals.

6.                   Provide an opportunity to reduce the grade of Norcross Road at Route 8 so the approach is safer in the winter.

 

It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve the request.  Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

There being no citizens to be heard or further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 a.m. on motion by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis.

 

Phyllis A. Vollbrecht

Assistant Secretary

 

 

APPROVED:    December 16, 2008

 

Brian P. McGrath

Lawrence G. Curtis

Joseph S. Kujawa