PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
175 OAK GROVE ROAD, PINE GROVE, PA 17963
JUNE 9, 2004 MEETING MINUTES
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CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Larry Zimmerman called the June 9, 2004 meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Attending were Supervisors Diane
Tobin, Allen Aungst, Herman Clemens and Jerry Wise. Also present were Kathy Ferguson, Judith Lehman, Clinton
Koontz, Lillian Patten, Michelle Charowsky, Lee Zimmerman, Donald Wenrich, and other residents; list on file.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS – Lillian Patten asked if her comments at the meeting on May 12, 2004 were
included in the minutes; Zimmerman said yes.
MINUTES / FINANCIAL ITEMS
s May 12, 2004 Meeting Minutes
Allen Aungst motioned to approve the minutes, Diane Tobin seconded the motion, all voted in favor, motion carried 5
to 0.
s Treasurer’s Report
Combined Fund beginning balance was $2,272,756.76; the ending balance is $2,243,172.67. Zimmerman motioned
to approve the Treasurer’s Report, Herman Clemens seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried 5 to 0.
s Approval of Bills
Aungst motioned to pay the bills; Clemens seconded the motion, motion carried 5 to 0.
PERSONS TO BE HEARD
s Michelle Charowsky, representing Project S.C.O.R.E., a federally funded program. The program is an early
intervention program designed to train people in the community who have contact with seniors as gate-keepers to
recognize at-risk elderly individuals who need assistance to remain in their home. Charowsky said free training is
provided throughout Schuylkill County. Anonymous referrals to the program are accepted if anyone knows of a
senior at risk.
REPORTS
Engineers Report – Zimmerman said the Scenic View Road project is making progress. Aungst said the engineer will
be contacting him on the storm drain project in Ravine.
Landfill Inspector’s Report – Clemens asked when the water tests results would be back, Lee Zimmerman said they
would be available soon, Judith Lehman noted the date on her report submitted for the month of May was incorrect.
Tobin asked how much time until the landfill would full; Lee Zimmerman said approximately October or November.
Roadmaster’s Report – Aungst said the new truck is not ready and did not have a delivery date.
Zoning Officer Report – Written report on file. Koontz said he has made telephone contact with the three properties
in Pleasant Valley that letters were sent to. Tobin asked the Zoning Officer if he had seen the letter in the
Correspondence folder, Koontz and Zimmerman said they had read the letter. Zimmerman said to table the letter
until the solicitor can read it.
Recreation Board – Aungst reported on the minutes received today and the Recreation Board’s request for an
estimated $500 for interlocking stones for three retaining walls and the purchase of four benches at $609 each to
place along the walking path. Zimmerman moved to approve the purchases, Clemens seconded the motion, all were
in favor and the motion carried 5 to 0.
Planning Commission - Zimmerman noted there is a letter in the supervisor’s folders from the Planning Commission.
OLD BUSINESS
Nestico Invoices - Aungst reported that he and Wise had met with Larry Mann, Chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board
on May 26th to determine how the $200 charge from Nestico, Druby & Hildabrand came about. Aungst said the
invoice was initiated through the Zoning Hearing Board Secretary to Larry Mann, Chairman asking him about
clarifying an issue on the Municipal Planning Code. Larry Mann needed help and he contacted Nestico by email and
asked him to research some zoning issues. In that email, he stated Nestico could contact Clint. Aungst said in
discussion, it appears to him they have the authority to contact their attorney on zoning issues. Aungst feels it is an
issue the Zoning Hearing Board had the right to contact their attorney for clarification. Aungst moved to pay the
disputed Nestico invoices in full. Tobin asked if the attorney was asked to reduce the bill as discussed at the May
meeting. Aungst said Mann did not feel he should request the bill be reduced since he requested the work and Mann
stated if the township does not pay the bill he would personally pay the bill. Aungst said he doesn’t think Mann
should have to pay the bill. Wise seconded Aungst’s motion to pay the invoices in full, Clemens and Zimmerman in
favor, Tobin opposed and motion carried 4 to 1.
Uniform Construction Code Ordinance – The ordinance for the Uniform Construction Code was reviewed and
Zimmerman moved to adopt the ordinance with an effective date of July 5, 2004. Aungst seconded the motion, Wise
and Tobin in favor, Clemens opposed; motion carried 4 to 1.
Camp Woodhaven Request for Partial Fee Payment - Ferguson reported that she is still researching the plans and
payment submitted in 2002. The item was tabled until more information has been gathered.
Landfill Gas Extraction - Tobin reported that another meeting was anticipated to work on the project.
NEW BUSINESS
Schuylkill County EMA Mutual Aid Agreement - Zimmerman moved to approve signing the annual agreement with
Schuylkill County, Clemens seconded the motion, all were in favor, and motion carried 5 to 0.
Air Conditioning Unit - The heat pump unit damaged by lightning and the entire heating / air conditioning for the
township building was discussed. Donald Wenrich suggested geo-thermal; Zimmerman said it was too costly. After
discussion, Zimmerman moved to advertise for a new heating and cooling system to work with the existing ductwork.
Tobin seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 5 to 0.
CORRESPONDENCE
s Zimmerman received a fax from Hanover Square Associates, a financial investment advisor and after
discussion it was agreed to listen to their presentation on June 24th at 7 PM.
s Tobin reported a letter received from the Boy Scouts asking the supervisors opinion on the landfill and
suggested they tour the landfill and learn firsthand about the issues instead of getting opinions from the supervisors.
It was agreed that Tobin would arrange the tour and send the Boy Scouts a letter.
NEW BUSINESS
s Tobin asked if the supervisors were interested in holding a Community Day this year. All seemed to be in favor
and Zimmerman said yes if she wanted to. Tobin said she would set the date after confirming the School’s
Homecoming weekend.
s Tobin said the Teener League requested permission to build a backstop, equipment shed etc. at the
Recreation field. Zimmerman said he felt the answer should be no because then they would feel they had preference
in use of the field. After further discussion the item was referred to the Recreation Board.
s Tobin asked if there were guide rails going to be put on the turn on Lovers Lane near Berger’s Market. Aungst
will check the records and see what was in the minutes when last reviewed. Zimmerman suggested tar and chip to
keep the cars from sliding on the turn. Aungst added that he and John Heinbach with a representative from the State
had looked at Waterfall Road. Aungst discussed it with Earl Matz and there is no urgency to install them and would
like to budget for guide rails there next year.
s Tobin reported that the School District will begin collecting the township $5 per capita tax in July, 2004. Per
Tobin, under Act 511 the school can do this because the township has not collected this tax from township residents.
After discussion, Tobin moved to direct the solicitor DiNicola to check into how the township can collect this tax next
year. Zimmerman seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 5 to 0.
s Wise reported on the quarterly meeting with the fire companies that he and Tobin attended. He expressed
their concern for the lack of money coming in, the decrease of host fees from the landfill and the fact that this year
Ravine has an $11,000 shortfall. Discussion on the financial report from Ravine Fire Company followed and
Zimmerman said the supervisors need a report from Suedberg before they can work on the problem. It was agreed
to contact Suedberg for a full financial report and then set up a meeting.
s Aungst reported that from an investment standpoint he felt it was best to hold off one month to move any
money. He said PLGIT currently has 1.55% for a 6 month investment and 2.05% for a one year investment.
s Aungst said the Zoning Hearing Board has asked the supervisors to advertise for an alternate to serve on the
Zoning Hearing Board. Tobin asked if the current alternate, Ruth Ann Schaeffer was no longer serving. Ferguson
said she had not been notified of any changes. It was agreed to advertise for another alternate in either case.
s Clemens asked Lillian Patten if she had a particular reason to call his attention to her comment. Patten replied
that he wrote the letter to the newspaper about the township dump and she wanted him to know that when people find
out about things, they do question them. Clemens said that for a long time people denied there was a dump in town
and it was usually taken away by the Swatara; no one seemed to be concerned about it, which was why he mentioned
it.
s Ferguson reported to the supervisors the problems with the MSL Accounting software; the lack of technical
support, the future problems because the company is not marketing the software and will eventually stop selling /
servicing the software, the difficulties in closing the year and beginning the new fiscal year, the current lack of
support in the most recent situation when the checks would not print, etc. Ferguson requested the supervisors
consider reviewing different Windows-based software with flexibility and abilities to grow with the needs of the
township office. After discussion it was agreed to hear a presentation from Quickbooks on June 24th.
PUBLIC COMMENT
s Donald Wenrich asked for a copy of the treasurer’s report after it is approved, Zimmerman said it is available
after approved by the supervisors. Wenrich also asked about the landfill gas extraction project, if the supervisors
had contacted any companies about using the gas. Wise replied that he was reading information that Judith Lehman
gave him on gas usage and looking into ways to use the gas. Tobin added that they had just received some
information from the school regarding their utility usage and also the landfill engineers and attorneys were working on
the project.
s Lillian Patten asked if the township received any money from the county from the recycling bins. Tobin replied
that we have not yet received anything; Zimmerman added that it will be a yearly type of thing.
s Dennis Schnoke asked for someone to look at his driveway where it connects to the township road; Zimmerman
referred that item to Ferguson to notify the Roadmaster.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:55 PM, Zimmerman moved to adjourn the meeting, Tobin seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried 5 to 0
and meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Ferguson, Secretary / Treasurer