Regular Meeting                                                                               April 6, 2010

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

The Supervisors honored Richard Bridger, retiring as Head Foreman of the Sewer Department effective June 24, by presenting him with a model of Truck #55 (#55 will be retired as of today), a Pennsylvania Senate citation from Senator Jane Earll’s Office, and a gold watch from the employees.  A dozen red roses were presented to Mary Ann, his wife.  Dick’s entire family was in attendance.  Representative John Hornaman presented Dick with a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation.  Dick thanked the Board, his wife and family, and his crew for everything and for being part of his life.

Chairman Kujawa called for public comment on agenda items other than development or rezoning applications.  No comments were received.

It was moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath to approve the minutes of the Board’s March 23, 2010 meeting.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to approve payment of the weekly bills as follows:

            General Fund ( March 30, 2010 )                                          $   479,378.90
           
General Fund (
April 6, 2010 )                                              $   389,466.34
           
Sewer Revenue Fund                                                        $1,151,480.40     

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Chief Carlotti, moved by Mr. Figaski, seconded by Mr. McGrath, to approve the promotion of Lieutenant Scott Heidt to the rank of Captain and to transfer him from ISD to assume the command of the Special Services Division effective retroactive to March 24, 2010.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Chief Carlotti, moved by Mr. Figaski, seconded by Mr. McGrath, to approve the promotion of Sergeant Michael Kabasinski to the rank of Lieutenant within ISD to assume the duties previously assigned to Lieutenant Heidt effective retroactive to March 24, 2010.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Chief Carlotti, moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath to approve the promotion of Corporal Lesley Mitchell to the rank of Sergeant within ISD to assume the duties previously assigned to Lieutenant Kabasinski effective retroactive to March 24, 2010.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Chief Carlotti, moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath to approve the promotion of Patrolman Benjamin Bastow to the rank of Corporal to remain assigned to the 2nd Platoon within the Patrol Division to assume the duties previously assigned to Corporal Bucko.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Engineer Morris, moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to approve a variance as provided by the Stormwater Management Ordinance, Section 404(I)(8) for bottom slopes less than two percent if a subdrainage system is installed for Sterling Ridge – Pond 2.  Maleno Developers, Inc. will install a six-inch underdrain system.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On motion by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath, the Millcreek Township Safety Plan was adopted as prepared by the Millcreek Township Safety Committee and approved by AFSCME Local 3530.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. McGrath that Gary Snyder be appointed Acting Head Foreman in the Sewer and Water Department until Mr. Bridger’s official retirement date of June 24, 2010 .  The motion was seconded by Mr. Figaski and with no public comment, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

The letter of resignation, effective March 24, 2010 from Matthew Niemic, Planning Commission member, was accepted with regret on motion by Mr. McGrath.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Figaski and with no public comment, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to appoint Douglas Prozan as an alternate member on the Planning Commission effective immediately.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to approve the following for summer help:

Parks and Recreation

            Matt Spronatti                 Part-time Maintenance                  $8.00/hour
           
Dennis Coughlin              Part-time Maintenance                  $8.00/hour
           
Aaron Nelson                  Part-time Maintenance                  $8.00/hour

Streets Department

            Adam Kelly                    Eric Wisniewski
           
Mike Canales                  Phil Hampy

There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. McGrath to appoint David Michael “Mike” Mercer to serve on the Erie County Planning Commission effective April 6, 2010 .  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. McGrath to authorize the three Supervisors, in their respective capacities, the Treasurer and the Engineer to attend the PSATS Annual State Convention in Hershey from April 18 to 21, 2010 and use of a Township vehicle if necessary.  As a member of the PSATS Board, Mr. McGrath must be there by April 15, 2010 .  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. 

It was moved by Mr. Figaski, seconded by Mr. McGrath, that Charles Heffner be permitted to attend the EMMCO Emergency Medical Services Seminar on April 9 and 10, 2010 at the Ambassador Hotel.  West Ridge Fire Department paid the registration fee.  There will be no cost to the Township except for one training day wages.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On motion by Mr. Figaski, Anne Flickinger was hired part-time, effective retroactive to April 2, 2010 , to help with transcription of reports in the Police Department at the rate of $9.50 per hour.  There being no public comment on the matter, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On the recommendation of Chief Carlotti, it was moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath that Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) Timothy Stevenson and Capt. Randy Faipler be permitted to attend an update training seminar on April 27, 2010 at the Southwest Training Center in Greenburg , PA.   There is no cost and travel will be by Township vehicle.  There being no public comment on the matter, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On the recommendation of Chief Carlotti, it was moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath that Lt. Carter Mook and Sgt. Leslie Mitchell be permitted to participate in Edinboro University ’s Annual Criminal Justice Day on April 15, 2010 .  There is no cost and travel will be by Township vehicle.  There being no public comment on the matter, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Chief Carlotti, moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath to hire Kelly Nicole Shearer and Paul Allen Schwanke for training as part-time dispatchers effective retroactive to March 29, 2010.  There being no public comment on the matter, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On the recommendation of Attorney Adair, it was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to place a resolution on the April 13 agenda for the condemnation and general processes regarding the project of realigning a section of Henderson Road .  There being no public comment on the matter, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Attorney Adair reported that in March, the Township received notice that PNC Bank would not be extending a Letter of Credit to insure improvements in the Glen Eagles Subdivision which include wearing course of a street and sidewalks.   It was recommended by Attorney Adair, moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to place on the April 13 agenda a resolution that would authorize exercising the Township’s rights as to the Letter of Credit if at that point a new LOC or an extended LOC has not been received.  There being no public comment on the matter, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Attorney Adair reported that the Township received notice from the Erie County Tax Claim Bureau of persons who submitted offers to purchase two mobilehomes (one in the 3900 block of West 12th Street and the other on Echo Lane ) from the Bureau’s repository of parcels not sold in the regular sale.  On the recommendation of Attorney Adair, it was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to approve the sales and authorize Attorney Adair to notify the Tax Claim Bureau of the same.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Engineer Morris, moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath that Engineer Morris and Asst. Engineer Anne Sokol be authorized to attend a Bridge Maintenance and Inspection program on April 13, 2010 at the Vernon Township Building in Meadville with use of a Township vehicle for transportation.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

George Riedesel, Executive Director, Millcreek Township Water and Sewer Authority, read the following letter addressed to David Thiemann, Chairman of the Millcreek Township Water Authority from John Agnello, Manager of the Fairview Township Sewer and Water Authorities in response to the presentation of the Shaffner Report:

“On behalf of the Fairview Township Water Authority Board and the Fairview water system customers they represent, and serve to protect, I extend their thanks and appreciation for the opportunity of attending the March 24 Millcreek Township Water Authority meeting to learn about and to receive the Financial Assessment of the Erie Water Works Report.  The report was well presented and well prepared by James A. Schaffner of Schaffner, Knight & Minnaugh Company, P.C., Certified Public Accounts.

As you and your board know, the position of the Fairview Township Water Authority has always been a position of support and trust towards the Millcreek Water Authority, bound by our contractual working relationship since 1985.  The position of the Fairview Township Water Authority is also that this relationship must and should continue well into the future.

 

Mr. Shaffner’s report does present a very, very serious and bleak portrayal of the current financial conditions under which the Erie Water Works is operating and which could also involve dire consequences for both the Millcreek and Fairview Water Authorities.  Therefore, the Fairview Township Water Authority does strongly recommend and does strongly encourage both the Millcreek Township Supervisors to discontinue talks with the Erie Water Works concerning a lease agreement at this time, and the Millcreek Water Authority board to publicly exercise their sound judgment and not let themselves become involved with a lease agreement with the Erie Water Works at this time.”

 

Lou Arcovio, 3927 Vista Drive , told the Board he did not agree with the Shaffner Report.  In his opinion, the outcome of the report was predetermined.  He urged the Board to continue negotiations with Erie Water Works.  Mr. Figaski said he, too, has issues with the report that he will address at some point in the future. 

Ron Kolb, 4101 Vista Drive , was concerned that $20,000 was spent on something that had already been decided by the Millcreek Water Authority.  Mr. Kujawa explained that the Board of Supervisors did not authorize spending $20,000 and that it was a joint effort among Fairview , Summit and Millcreek Water Authorities.  

There being no other citizens to be heard or further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. McGrath, seconded by Mr. Figaski, and carried to adjourn the meeting at
10:20 a.m.

                                                                        Phyllis A. Vollbrecht
                                                                       
Assistant Secretary

 _______________________________________________________________________________

APPROVED:    April 27, 2010

Joseph S. Kujawa
Brian P. McGrath
Richard P. Figaski