GROVE TOWNSHIP MARCH MEETING
August 14, 2024
Meeting called to order at 5:00pm
Present: Melvin Kehl, Robert Bushor, Brandie Sherry, and Jim Howard
Visitors: April Kehl, Dale Wood, Elizabeth Stoner
APPROVAL OF July 2024 MINUTES
- Motion made to accept by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard
- All in favor, aye, passed.
APPROVAL OF July TREASURER” S REPORT
- Motion made to accept by Robert Bushor and seconded by Melvin Kehl
- All in favor, aye, passed.
SECRETARY REPORT
I am going to check with C&N’s interest rate is for CD’s, PLIGT is currently 5.4% for a year long CD’s.
Brandie, Dawn Wirt, Elizabeth Stoner and Jim Howard attended the Elk County Convention held at the Elk Viewing Center in Benezette. It was a very informative day, here is a quick summary of some of the information we learned that day.
- It was highly suggested that we pass ordinances for both solar and wind farms, not to wait for the state to pass laws governing them. There have been areas that are left holding these farms and the cleanup is highly expensive, and it falls on the landowners and the municipality if no ordinances exist.
- If your Township doesn’t have a Right to Know policy to handle anonymous requests, then you should pass such a resolution.
- There was an increase in the in lieu of taxes from DCNR and Game Commission lands it went from $2.40 an acre to $3.00 an acre. This time the bill allows for tax to increase with inflation.
- Senator Cris Dush is trying to make it more transparent where the liquid fuel money goes because it doesn’t come back to the rural areas.
- State Rep Mike Armanine is working on allowing alternative means for public notices. He would like to see online via your own website, Facebook or online news source
- GT Thompson field representative explained they are there to help us with SAM.gov, it is the website needed for all federal money grants, and they are willing to write support letters for any grants that we are applying for.
- DEP talked about a grant they have available for $50,000 to help make your building more energy efficient.
- DEP has a bridge and culvert repair hub that will help you determine if there is any permits needed to do the required work on the bridge or culvert.
- They also said to watch out for event centers they are popping up everywhere and septic systems may not be sufficient for the change in the buildings purpose.
- Terri Cunkle from DCED again talked about grants the LSA grant has no match, it is for public health, safety and welfare up to one Million.
- She also talked about the solar and windmill ordinances
- She suggested the RTK policy
- She talked about intergovernmental agreements and how they go far when applying for grants.
- PennDOT talked about the 536 FHA report and that is no mandatory to fill out each year.
- Watch when purchasing and bidding (a rock is a rock)
- Try to do joint bidding, when possible, even on a county level
- On liquid fuel watch your equipment balance – can not spend more on equipment than you have allotted for equipment
- All material used on the roads that is paid for with liquid fuels money must be PennDOT approved
- Co stars is not always the lowest price
- Budgets should show 2-3 years actuals to get a good picture of the expenses of the Township
- Anything that goes over 25% over a line item there must be a resolution for this with an explanation
- There should be a wish list for the budget, what you plan on doing, have budget workshop and review the budget quarterly to make sure you are staying withing the budget.
- Be good stewards of the people’s money
- Don’t be afraid to raise taxes
- If you use liquid fuel money to pay for fuel you better have a log to account for all the fuel.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Not much to report, thankfully we didn’t get any damage from the high water event caused by hurricane Debbie.
Containment boxes for the fuel tanks, Melvin and Jim met with Dinsmore Welding & Fabrication and they gave a quote of $2,750 to build the box and $950 for blasting, priming and painting the box.
A motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Butch Kehl to have Dinsmore Welding & Fabrication to build the fuel tank containment boxes, but we will paint them ourselves.
All in favor, aye, passed
While Dinsmore was down here they all went and looked at the bridge where a plate needs to be welded to fix it the way the engineers suggested last year after the inspection. The bid was for $6,640.00
A motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard to have Dinsmore Welding and Fabrication to fix the bridge
All in favor, aye, passed
BUISNESS
There have been numerous verbal complaints about loud noise at all hours of the night. There were a few names mentioned as to who is causing this disruption of the peace and quiet while people are sleeping. There are complaint sheets at the office for anyone to fill out, so we have a paper trail of the complaints.
Jim Howard has talked with one individual about this noise and exploding things and they promised not to do it again. If any more complaints are turned in, Brandie will send a certified warning letter.
Brandie did look up the minutes concerning the agreement with PennDOT about exchanging the decking material for millings. The minutes state the Resolution was passed for Robert Bushor to sign the agreement, but I am still waiting for Penn DOT to send me a copy of said agreement.
A couple of questions concerning that is Was there any signature for the material, and approx. how many tons was the decking material and how many tons of millings did we get in exchange.
Brandie has heard that the buildings that were sent letters to clean up or tear down have all got a demo permit so they should be starting on that soon.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dale Wood talked about Crestline Road and when we had that big rain, the black pipe the water was the same level of the pipe and the ditch is the same height of the road, it needs some ditches work He also talked about at least 3 pipes in Lick Island that need cleaned out because of the way the heavy rain and water ran around and through things.
Dale asked if the was a motion to purchase the new AC, and yes there was one at the last meeting when it wasn’t working.
April Kehl asked how it was coming with getting a speed study done, Brandie explained that we already have a speed limit in Sinnamahoning therefore only way they will do a study is if we want to increase or decrease the speed.
Brandie has had no luck with the blinking light, so April is going to call and see if she can get somewhere with it.
Elizabeth Stoner is working with PSATS, DCED and PennDOT on learning about grants and writing them. There is some information that she needs
- How many storm drains / culverts does the town have
- Not sure how many will have to drive around and count them
- And how often are they cleaned.
- Robert answered this one – they are generally cleaned 2x a year unless it appears they need it other times
- In February, we appoint Ed as the EMC, and do I have his last name and a job description of what an EMC does.
- Brandie will get that information for Elizabeth
- Do we have a campground ordinance? If not, we need to look into one.
- Create a fuel logbook
- Any big plans for next year – road work, equipment or building
- Would like budget updates next year quarterly
- Can we have a budget status at the next meeting.
- Wye Side cemetery – apply to make it a historical monument then we would be issued money to help maintain it.
PAY BILLS AS PRESENTED
- Motion made by Robert Bushor, seconded by Butch kehl
- All in favor, aye, passed.
ADJOURN MEETING
- Motion to adjourn the August 14, 2024, meeting by Robert Bushor and seconded by Jim Howard.
- All in favor, aye, passed.
- Adjourned at 6:28
Next meeting will be held on September 11, 2024, starting at 5:00pm at Grove Township building.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandie Sherry
Secretary/treasurer Grove Township