PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
175 OAK GROVE ROAD, PINE GROVE, PA 17963
JANUARY 14, 2004 MEETING MINUTES
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CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Larry Zimmerman called the January 14, 2004 meeting to order at 7:05 PM. In attendance were
Supervisors Diane Tobin, Allen Aungst, and Jerry Wise. Also present were Gino DiNicola, Kathy Ferguson, Judy
Lehman, John Heinbach, Clinton Koontz, Heath Machamer, Ron Aungst, Edward Davis, Arthur Swanson, Donna
Kloske, Howard Lengle, Dennis Schnoke, Donald Lengle, Lee Zimmerman and other residents; list on file.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS - No comments.
MINUTES / FINANCIAL ITEMS
s December 10, 2003 Meeting Minutes: Zimmerman motioned to approve the minutes, Allen Aungst seconded,
all in favor, motion carried 4-0.
s Treasurer’s Report: Beginning balance was $2,018,641.54 and the ending balance is $1,956,753.31. Aungst
motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report, Diane Tobin seconded, all in favor, motion carried 4-0.
s Approval of Bills: Tobin questioned the invoice from Nestico, Druby & Hildabrand, counsel for the Zoning
Hearing Board. Aungst said he assumes the bill was for clarification on a zoning issue; Larry Mann initiated an email
and directed him to call Clint Koontz. Aungst asked Koontz about the invoice, Koontz said he talked to Tony Nestico
in December. Tobin asked what the call was in reference to, Koontz replied “Questions he had that were raised
apparently by someone on the Zoning Hearing Board.” Aungst said it is a Zoning Hearing Board bill, Tobin noted
that they haven’t had a hearing since July so she would like to know what it is for. Tobin motioned to pay the bills
with the exception of the $200 invoice from Nestico, Druby & Hildabrand, pending further clarification of the charges.
Zimmerman seconded the motion, motion carried 4-0.
Tobin will contact Larry Mann for clarification of the bill.
PERSONS TO BE HEARD
s Heath Machamer - Brandt Sewage Module - Requesting the Supervisors pass a resolution to amend the Act
537 plan. He noted Gino DiNicola and David Horst have reviewed and approved the plans and letter. Machamer is
submitting a letter tonight from the Brandt’s acknowledging that sewage capacity is not guaranteed and releases the
township from liability. Zimmerman made a motion to adopt Resolution #011404-1 for approving the Sewage
Planning Module, Aungst seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried 4-0.
s Ron Aungst - Proposed Development - Ron Aungst and Edward Davis from WJP Engineering showed plans for
a proposed development. The majority of the project is in Pine Grove Borough; only 16 of the 99 proposed lots are
in the Township. He noted that they have already presented the plans to the Borough, the County and to the
Township Planning commission. Further discussion noted that the Township will be kept abreast of the project and
have input on the roadway cross sections, stormwater issues etc. Davis also asked for leniency on the 30 day limit
for submitting plans for review. Zimmerman motioned to accept a limited review on the plans with the exceptions
identified by David Horst, the Township’s engineer. Tobin seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried 4-0.
s Arthur Swanson - Office Administration - Elected auditor for the Township introduced himself and gave a
synopsis of his experience in financial management. Swanson suggested to the Board of Supervisors that they
seriously consider hiring a part-time assistant for the secretary and consider closing the office on a Monday or a
Friday to accommodate her schedule better. Swanson also expressed appreciation for the job the Supervisors do.
s Stanhope Road Residents - Donna Kloske read a letter regarding homes being built on the Howard Lengel
farm and showed the supervisors photos of flooding. Kloske asked that the supervisors consider all the points
addressed in her letter before making any decision approving a development. Howard Lengle stated he is not
developing the land, just selling 17 acres of his property. Lengle showed the supervisors photos of flooding in the
area in 1940. Dennis Schnoke presented photos of water run-off and said he is drafting a letter about the situation.
Zimmerman said there are ordinances that need to be followed before any subdivision is approved. Donald Lengel
in support of his father Howard said the property is his father’s retirement income and the only way people can
control the land is to offer a fair price and buy it.
REPORTS
Engineers Report – No comments.
Landfill Inspector’s Report – Aungst questioned Lehman about the amount of liquid between the liners. Lehman said
it has decreased. Larry Zimmerman told Lee Zimmerman that it is time for them to do something about their
Shamokin driver with overweight trucks. Lee Zimmerman said it is the same carrier, but not the same generator.
Roadmaster’s Report – Aungst motioned to adopt Resolution # 011404-2 to purchase equipment through the city of
Harrisburg’s procurement program pending DiNicola’s review. Zimmerman seconded, all in favor, motion carried 4-0.
Zoning Officer Report – Koontz not present, no report received.
Joint Treatment Authority – Tobin reported they are continuing with the bid process and have held their re-
organization meeting.
Landfill Advisory Board - Zimmerman said nothing to report.
Planning Commission – Minutes received without comment.
Recreation Board – Aungst said he had an appointment December 17th with DEP regarding the dry pond in the
Recreation area and Dennis Fidler is working on the paperwork with him.
Water Advisory Board – No report.
OLD BUSINESS
Comcast Cable Agreement - Tobin reported that Comcast did not agree to further discounts for the fire companies
and she suggested that they come into the Township office to file reports on-line if necessary. Zimmerman agreed
with the suggestion. Tobin said Comcast is trying to cut costs by making the agreement for 15 years, but they will
add wording so we can change our franchise fee anytime in those 15 years. The Board of Supervisors agreed to a
15 year agreement with quarterly payments and a 3% franchise fee. Tobin will contact Comcast to provide us with a
revised agreement.
Landfill Inspector Salary - Zimmerman noted this was tabled at the last meeting due to a tie vote. Jerry Wise
questioned Lehman’s job performance or if negative reports were received. Zimmerman said we have gotten
compliments on her work and he doesn’t know of any bad reports. DiNicola noted that the supervisors could take the
discussion into an executive session. Zimmerman said the salaries are always discussed in public. Wise questioned
if all Lehman’s salary is paid out of the budget. Zimmerman said yes and DEP then reimburses us for 50% of the
salary. Tobin motioned to increase the Landfill Inspector’s wage to $16.45, motion died for lack of a second. Wise
motioned to increase the wage $16.25, Tobin seconded, Zimmerman opposed, and motion carried 3-1.
CORRESPONDENCE
s Zimmerman noted there are several municipal training events available.
s Ravine Fire Company sent a letter in response to ours and they are asking for a meeting. Tobin and Wise
agreed to meet with the fire companies.
s Washington Township sent a letter regarding the possibility of sharing costs involved with the new building
code and also discussed Mountain Road.
PUBLIC COMMENT
s DiNicola said he received a letter from Atty. Croswell regarding the Feeser Subdivision. The plans have been
before the Planning Commission and according to the MPC a public hearing is required as part of the approval
process. The Board of Supervisors could hold this or they could delegate it to the Planning Commission. The Board
of Supervisors delegated a hearing, if necessary, to the Planning Commission.
s Tobin requested an executive session on possible litigation.
s Wise commented he wasn’t at the re-organization meeting because of classes he is taking at Temple University
required by his job.
s Aungst mentioned two items tabled at the re-organization meeting, money in lieu of health benefits and
supervisors assigned to different boards. Tobin said she didn’t receive any information yet on the money in lieu of
health benefits. Zimmerman said he would like to table the matter of assigning supervisors until all supervisors are
present. Both items were tabled.
s Tobin said the Borough is looking into forming a Board of Health and suggests the issue of health officer be
tabled for now.
s Ferguson reported on a record request she received that asks for items previously deemed not public record
by the Board of Supervisors. Zimmerman motioned to refer the request to Solicitor DiNicola for a decision, Tobin
seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried 4-0.
s Ferguson said Matt Williard from Light-Hiegel called and asked for the SEO fee schedule. Zimmerman said to
review Fisher Engineering fee schedule and make sure there are no differences between the two.
s Ferguson asked the Board to review the way in which the Planning Commission is paid. They currently are
paid every month whether meetings are held or not. Ferguson said this method of payment makes it mandatory for
the township to put them on the pension plan. If the supervisors choose to pay them on an as needed basis, only
when meetings are held, they would be exempt from the pension plan. Zimmerman motioned to pay the Planning
Commission $25 per meeting held, Aungst seconded, all in favor and motion carried 4-0.
s Ferguson said she received an email from Crystal Delong stating that Tremont Township approached her
about a joint emergency management agreement and they will be contacting the Township in the near future to
pursue this. The supervisors have no objections in joining with Tremont Township.
s Donald Lengel asked who he should talk to about road washouts, the Roadmaster or the Supervisors. Aungst
said he should first see the Roadmaster.
s Judy Lehman thanked the board for addressing her wage situation and bringing out the fact that it she did not
have a bad review. Lehman stated that she does not feel her wage is the highest wage in the Township. She has
reviewed the Zoning Officer wages and at his monthly rate and giving him three hours per permit last year, (at the
Landfill he had three separate things to look at and it took him half an hour) his wage figures out to $41.82 per hour.
s Donald Moyer asked why Judy’s raise was based on last years raise; the raises should be based on
performance and merits.
s Art Bachman asked question about the Water Advisory Board and if Nestle is monitored how much water they
can take. Zimmerman said that the Susquehanna River Basin controls that and DiNicola suggested Bachman send a
letter of request to Nestle to investigate whether their activities are affecting his well.
Executive Session - The Board of Supervisors entered into an executive session on possible litigation at 9:15 PM.
The meeting resumed at 9:50 PM.
ADJOURNMENT - Zimmerman motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM. Aungst seconded, motion carried 4-0,
meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Ferguson
Secretary / Treasurer
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