GROVE TOWNSHIP MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
October 13, 2021
Chairman Robert Bushor called the Wednesday, October 13,2021, meeting to order in the Grove Township Bldg. at 5:00pm,
Present were, Robert Bushor, Frank Ross, Walter Sipe and Brandie Sherry
Absent: none
Visitors: Dale Wood, Mark McComas
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: none
READING OF THE MINUTES of September Meeting
Dale Wood asked if I could change the minutes where it stated that the conversation between him and Frank got very heated, he reminds us that he sat their quietly and listened to Frank before responding. Brandie stated she will do that.
A motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Walter Sipe to accept the minutes as presented.
All presents were in favor and the motion carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR September
A motion was made by Frank Ross and seconded by Walter Sipe to accept the financial reports as presented.
All presents were in favor and the motion carried.
SECRETARY REPORT:
PSATS is offering a Boot Camp for newly elected or veteran Supervisors, secretaries, and managers, the closet one is in Clearfield on Dec 6, Jan 8, Jan 15. If anyone is interested in attending, let me know so I can sign you up.
Dale Wood has asked a few meetings before what the cost was to get the spare plow painted for the Mac truck. Brandi looked it up and it was done by Surface Prep Solutions and was $1,536.13.
Marion Swank’s daughter Dee stopped by the office and asked if it would be possible to get the township to have the electric company install two streetlights on Swank Road, on the intersection of Swank Road and Route 872 and one by her mom’s house. The Supervisors will have to investigate the intersections and the streetlight by her house would be their responsibly.
ROADMASTER REPORT:
Just basically routine maintenance. Patching of potholes on Swank Road. Working on widening the approaches to bridges.
Guide Rail bids:
The bids are not sealed due to the amount is less than the bidding threshold for sealed bids.
Keystone Guiderail $7,725.00
Pennline $20,112.50
Green Acres $8,775.00
A motion was made by Frank Ross and seconded by Walter Sipe to accept Keystone Guiderail company to install the guiderail on the new bridges.
All presents were in favor and the motion carried.
A motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Robert Bushor to pass Resolution No 03-2021 “Establishing the Rules for Conduct for Grove Township Board of Supervisors meetings per PSATS Guidelines”
All presents were in favor and the motion carried.
Driftwood Borough has asked if Grove Township would be interested in doing the winter maintenance for them. They have 2.5 miles of roads that need to be maintained. Merle Sherry was going to attend the meeting, but he had to work over. This was tabled until the Supervisors can talk to Merle.
Walt Sipe asked if Frank was going to mow out back of the ball field one more time before end of the season. There is an ash tree by the electric pole, that is really falling apart and if it goes it will wipe out the pole. There is a 24-inch culvert pipe, and separated by Crestline, this is the same pipe that Dale pointed out.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dale Wood started by stating that he had with him the Cameron County Echo dated July 21st, 2021, under the public notifications section the bid Grove Township had placed for the three replacement bridges on Jerry Run Road, and it states that bids will be accepted and opened at the August 11th meeting.
There were no bids presented at the August 11th meeting, yet there was a motion was made with no monetary value to purchase three bridges for Jerry Run Road from ADM. Dale questioned why the advertisement for bids was not rerun in the paper if no bids were received and asked when the bid from ADM was opened (since bids are supposed to be sealed). Brandie did get the PSATS advertising requirements for Townships out, and Dale is correct it states that if no bids are received the township must rebid the item in accordance with, he schedules, and if again no bid is received within 45 days of the second advertisement, the township may purchase or enter into a contract for the purchase of items needed.
Dale stated that at the August 11th meeting a motion was made via a phone call Frank Ross made a motion to purchase the three bridges from ADM, and there were no bids presented or any monetary value. Then at the September 8th meeting Dale asked to see the bids from ADM and he stated he was given an estimate from ADM not a bid.
Robert and Frank stated that no bids were sent to the office to be opened, but they knew the price from ADM, because we were renting the bridges as a temporary bridge.
Dale feels that the following codes have been violated by the Supervisors.
Section 3102 Section 3102. Letting Contracts. –(a) All contracts or purchases in excess of the required advertising base amount of eighteen thousand five hundred dollars ($18,500), subject to adjustment under subsection (b.1), except those specifically excluded, shall not be made except with and from the lowest responsible bidder after due notice in one newspaper of general circulation in the township. The notice for bids shall be published at least two times at intervals of not less than three days in daily newspapers or once a week for two successive weeks in weekly newspapers. The first advertisement shall be published not more than forty-five days, and the second advertisement not less than ten days, before the date set for the opening of bids. Notice of proposed contracts or purchases shall also be posted where the board of supervisors normally meets or in a conspicuous place within the township. Any published notice for bids shall contain full plans and specifications or refer to the places where copies thereof can be obtained, state the amount of the performance bond determined under subsection (g) and give the date, time, and place of a meeting at which an individual or committee appointed by the board of supervisors, or the board of supervisors will open and read the bids. ((a) amended Nov. 3, 2011, P.L.341, No.84)
(e) The award of contracts shall only be made by public announcement at the meeting at which bids are opened by the board of supervisors or received from the individual or committee appointed by the board of supervisors to open and read bids, or at a subsequent meeting of the board of supervisors, the time and place of which shall be publicly announced when bids are received. If for any reason one or both of the meetings are not held, the same business may be transacted at a subsequent meeting if at least five days’ notice of the meeting is published in the same newspaper as the notice of bids. Bidders shall be notified and other interested parties, upon request, shall be notified of the date, time, and location of the opening of bids and may be present when the bids are opened.
Section 607
Section 607. Duties of Supervisors. –The board of supervisors shall:
- Be charged with the general governance of the township and the execution of legislative, executive and administrative powers in order to ensure sound fiscal management and to secure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the township.
(7) Perform duties and exercise powers as may be imposed or conferred by law or the rules and regulations of any agency of the Commonwealth.
And Section 3501
ARTICLE XXXV
VIOLATION OF ACT GENERALLY
Section 3501. Violation of Act Generally; Penalty. –Any township supervisor, elected or appointed township official or employee, roadmaster or contractor or any other person, including any corporation officer or employee, who violates any of the provisions of this act, other than those for which specific penalties are provided, or who fails to carry out the provisions of this act commits a summary offense. All fines collected for violation of this act shall be paid to the township treasurer and credited to the general township fund.
Robert stated that we did advertise and received no bids were received and the bridges were rented, and their price was their quote. Robert told Brandie to get all the information together, the prices of the bridges, the rental agreements, the dates of advertisements and we will look into it to she if we did indeed violate anything, and if Dale would like to see the information, he is more than welcome to come into the office to also see the information.
Dale stated that the price of the bridges was never discussed at the meeting before voting. Both Robert and Frank disagree with him and stated they knew the price when they voted otherwise, they wouldn’t have voted to purchase the bridges. They also stated that it doesn’t have to be all spelled out at a meeting.
Dale then stated that all township government purchases must be discussed during a meeting and motions must be made to approve the spending and purchases. Dale stated there was no monetary values discussed at the meeting. He also stated that there was no paperwork to show the amount and the Supervisors stated they knew the price of the bridges when they voted. Dale once again stated the paperwork must be at the office when the vote is done.
Dale asked if the Supervisors have to fill out the financial statements and where are they kept here at the office or the county. Brandie stated they are kept here at the office and yes each year they are to be filled out.
Pay Bills as Presented:
A motion was made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Walt Sipe to pay bills as presented.
All present in favor and motion carried.
Other reports:
Next meeting will be held November 10, 2021, at the Grove Township building, the meeting will begin at 5:00 pm.
On a motion made by Robert Bushor and seconded by Walter Sipe to adjourn the September 8, 2021, meeting at 5:35
Respectfully submitted,
Brandie Sherry, Secretary