PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
175 OAK GROVE ROAD, PINE GROVE, PA 17963
AUGUST 11, 2004 MEETING MINUTES
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CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Larry Zimmerman called the August 11, 2004 meeting to order at 7:15 PM and opened the meeting with
the Pledge of Allegiance. Attending were Supervisors Allen Aungst and Herman Clemens. Also present were
Solicitor Gino DiNicola, Kathy Ferguson, Judith Lehman, John Heinbach, Tom Daubert, Lillian Patten, Dennis
Schnoke, Colin Tobin and other residents; list on file.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS – No comments.
MINUTES / FINANCIAL ITEMS
s July 14, 2004 Meeting Minutes
Allen Aungst moved to approve the minutes, Herman Clemens seconded the motion, all voted in favor, motion carried
3 to 0.
s Treasurer’s Report
General Fund beginning balance was $2,097,704.55; July receipts were $85,178.16, July expenses were $56,265.99
and the ending balance is $2,126,616.72. Clemens moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, Aungst seconded the
motion, all were in favor, and motion carried 3 to 0.
s Approval of Bills
Aungst moved to pay the line striping bill from Alpha Space Control in the amount of $6,683.15 and the allowable
portion of the invoice from Structural Metal Fabricators for the truck dump body out of Liquid Fuels Fund money.
Larry Zimmerman seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 3 to 0. Zimmerman moved to pay the
bills; Clemens seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 3 to 0.
REPORTS
Engineers Report
s Spittler Road - Ferguson reported that Dave Horst said Verizon had not met with him at the site about their
lines as planned; he will re-schedule and continue with the project.
s Swatara Creek CLC Plan - Ferguson reported that Horst had reviewed the Sewage Module and it is consistent
with the Act 537 Plan Amendment recently approved. Horst said a resolution is needed by the board to approve the
sewage module for submission to DEP. Zimmerman moved to approve Resolution #081104, Swatara Creek CLC
Sewage Module; Clemens seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 3 to 0.
Landfill Inspector’s Report – The landfill has requested extended hours until 10 PM for construction and capping
only. Clemens moved to approve the request, Zimmerman seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried
3 to 0.
Supervisor Diane Tobin joined the meeting at 7:25 PM.
Roadmaster’s Report – Zimmerman asked Heinbach if he had looked at Wayne Township’s paver. Heinbach said he
had called them and would like to see it in action. Aungst asked about the hole they are fixing at Barr’s and if it is the
township’s responsibility. Heinbach said the state said it is off their right of way and not their responsibility. The state
will cut the macadam and provide traffic control; the township will fix the hole. Heinbach said the pipe was not on the
state map. Aungst said as long as Heinbach had checked into it, it was okay.
Zoning Officer Report – Written report on file, five permits and one complaint.
OLD BUSINESS
Paving Bids for Mexico Road - Four bids were received and reviewed by the Supervisors:
1. Eastern Industries Inc., Winfield, PA $96,469.20
2. EJB Paving & Materials Co., West Lawn, PA $96,680.20
3. Hazleton Site Contractors, Hazleton, PA $122,759.80
4. Pennsy Supply Inc., Hummelstown, PA $93,911.88
Zimmerman moved to approve the bid from Pennsy Supply Inc. pending final review, Clemens seconded the motion,
Tobin opposed, motion carried 3 to 1.
County Request for Dry Hydrants at Sweet Arrow Lake - Zimmerman said the county is requesting two dry hydrants,
one by the clubhouse and one on the dock side of the lake. He said he agrees it would benefit the community, but
according to the agreement the township would have to maintain them and also plow the clubhouse road. Discussion
followed and concerns were: funding for the installation of the hydrants, yearly testing, more snow plowing required,
liability issues if the water source is not maintained and damage from vandalism etc. DiNicola suggested getting in
touch with the County solicitor to negotiate the liabilities of the agreement. The item was tabled until next month.
Scenic View Road - Supervisors reviewed the plans as presented last month by Dave Horst. Tobin asked if the
paving would be on next year’s road project. Zimmerman said the base coat should be done this year and the top
coat could be done next year. Tom Daubert asked what they plan to do about Pine Hill and the problem with big
trucks pulling out at the bottom. Daubert said he feels the trucks should use the top road. Tobin said without weight
limits on the roads they cannot make the trucks use a certain road. Tobin moved to approve the plans for Scenic
View Road, Clemens seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion carried 4 to 0.
Complementary Medicare Coverage - Aungst said Heinbach has reached age 65 and is no longer covered under the
township health insurance program; however there is a Medicare supplemental insurance available to add to the
township plan at the rate of $553. Heinbach asked if his wife is still covered under the health insurance. Ferguson
said his wife would be covered by the invoice paid tonight until September 14th. Ferguson said there are two senior
plans available, Option 3 is a higher rate, but is the closest to the coverage for prescriptions Heinbach is receiving
now. Aungst said Option 2 has a 20% co-pay for prescriptions and Ferguson agreed, but said that Option 3 is more
in line with coverage the other employees are receiving. Zimmerman moved to approve adding Senior Plan 3 to the
Township health plan, Aungst seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 4 to 0.
Mexico Road Storm Drain - Aungst said he looked at the storm drain and the wet area in the yard of Jamie Laguna.
Aungst said he feels there isn’t any responsibility on the part of the Township; the pipe was there before the homes
were built. Aungst said the easement area was dry, there was a wet spot at the bottom of her yard, but he thought
that it did not appear to be coming from the storm drain and was on a higher level than the easement. Zimmerman
agreed that it is not the township’s responsibility, but a landowner’s problem and the item was dismissed.
Computer Software Proposal - Supervisors reviewed the proposal for Intuit Fundware received last month. Ferguson
noted that there is a letter in the correspondence folder from MSL, our current software company, acknowledging
potential compatibility problems with their software and new computer programs because it is a DOS based system,
not a Windows based system. Zimmerman agreed that the current system is useless and he agrees on the need for
a new system. Zimmerman said the proposed system does great reports and everything, but the price was high, and
added before purchasing it he would like to review other systems. Tobin said she had checked with PSATS and most
municipalities use QuickBooks. Tobin said she asked questions, the number of years of history is unlimited, and all
had positive responses about QuickBooks. Aungst said Wayne Township uses QuickBooks and suggested
Ferguson spend a day there reviewing it with their Secretary. Ferguson said she has looked at QuickBooks Pro and
it would be a second choice, but her first recommendation for the township is the Intuit Fundware because of the
future changes in accounting principles, asset tracking needed for GASB 34 compliance and the need for greater
flexibility in report design etc. After more discussion, Zimmerman moved to purchase QuickBooks Pro as an interim
solution and continue reviewing other software. Tobin seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 4 to
0. Ferguson said that more current Windows software is needed for the middle office computer, she is having
problems with that computer and thinks it is due to the fact they have different versions of Windows. Tobin said that
all the office computers should be upgraded to Windows XP. Ferguson said another problem with the computer
system is the constant power outages that cause her to spend time rebooting the system, the Internet and re-
networking the computers and printers. American Computers quoted price for battery back-up for the computer and
the internet was reviewed. Zimmerman said he would like Ferguson to compare prices with Micro-Aide. Clemens
moved to purchase the battery back-up and the upgrades for Windows XP for the office computers. Aungst
seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 4 to 0.
Per Capita Tax - DiNicola said he sent a letter to the school regarding the per capita tax and had called Tom Nichols,
the school’s solicitor, but had not yet received a response.
Heating / Air Conditioning System - Aungst said he contacted Shannon Smith and their bid was only for repairing the
old system and putting a heating unit in. Aungst said the best route was to put the project out for bids. Tobin noted
that had been agreed upon at last month’s meeting. Aungst said he would like another supervisor to help draw up
the specs and Zimmerman said he would be available the following evening.
NEW BUSINESS
County Bulk Clean Up - Tobin said Dan Grow contacted her and asked if the Township is interested in hosting the
site since Pine Grove Landfill will be unable to do so because they are closed. The scheduled dates are October
11th through October 16th and it would be our choice what days and hours we would be open. The County would
bring the bins and pick them up the following week; the Township would man the site with two people and collect the
money. The Township would keep half of the money collected and send the County a check for the rest. Tobin said
the County would do the advertising and the site would accept things from anyone in Schuylkill County. Tobin said
this is not the bulk clean up where household garbage is accepted, only certain items (including tires) are accepted
and fees are charged. Aungst said it is a good idea since they include tires. Zimmerman volunteered to man the site
on Saturday and suggested to have it open Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the road crew manning it one day
and supervisors the other days. Zimmerman moved to host the County Bulk Clean Up for October 14th, 15th, and
16th. Aungst seconded the motion, all were in favor and motion carried 4 to 0.
Department of Corrections Work Release Program - Tobin reported that she received a letter approving the
Township’s application to the program and it has been scheduled for later in the Fall to allow them more time to do
the job, they will call us to schedule the work.
Township Building Lighting - Aungst said he talked to the electrician about the hall lights in the township building that
are not working and they feel the light outside at the sidewalk is causing the problem so they have capped it. Aungst
said he thinks the outside lights should be put on a separate breaker and not on the same one as the hall lights.
Zimmerman said to get prices on low level lighting for the parking lot and a pole light at the sidewalk. Aungst also
suggested a motion detected light at the back door of the Township building. It was agreed that Aungst would get
prices from Strouphauer for the next meeting.
Township Building Landscaping - Aungst said he had talked to a neighbor about trimming the shrubs and maintaining
the mulched areas from weeds for the rest of the year for $400. Zimmerman said we should have someone do it and
our men don’t want to do it; someone who doesn’t want to do it won’t do as nice a job as someone who wants to do
it. Tobin said there are four people here and they should be able to find an hour during the day or week to do it.
Zimmerman said we’ve gone through before and it’s not getting done. Aungst said the trimming should be done in
the next 30 days and it is not a good time because they are getting the road ready. Clemens said we should ask for
quotes from somebody that is skilled at the job. Zimmerman said the quotes gotten before were $1200 to $1500 for
a year. Tobin said it does need to be done; she has a problem that we can’t get four people to do the work. Aungst
said we can give them a directive to do it. Zimmerman said he gave up on that situation. Aungst moved to have Dion
Boyer weed and trim around the property and maintain it for the rest of the year with a maximum fee of $400.
Zimmerman seconded the motion, Clemens and Tobin opposed, the vote was tied and the item was tabled until next
month.
CORRESPONDENCE
s Tom Feeser requested an updated letter stating that Swatara Village is not in the flood plain. Zimmerman said
we are responsible to tell him that his property may be in the flood plain and he needs an engineer to determine
whether or not they are in the flood plain. Tobin said we should send him a letter stating that and give him a copy of
the map. Zimmerman said he would call Feeser and let him know this information and the secretary should follow up
with a letter.
PUBLIC COMMENT
s Clemens said since the landfill is closing, we need to tighten our belts here. He said that letters to the editor
say they pay taxes, but they don’t understand they pay school taxes, not real estate taxes to the township. Clemens
feels the county is going to hit individuals with more taxes. He also said the new gambling law will not give direct tax
relief, but about 20% of the gambling and then they will add items to the sales tax and increase a wage tax; so they
are raising taxes higher than the 20% we will get back. Clemens said we need to start looking where we can cut
expenses. He is concerned about older people maintaining a home and thinks we need to be pro-active. He added
that when we have four employees who refuse to do some work, it doesn’t sit well with him.
s Zimmerman said we need to start in September with budget meetings; September 22nd was set as the first
budget meeting.
s Ferguson said she received quotes for the installation of an after hours mail slot from Primeau Services and
gave the board the option of an outside free standing unit or an inside unit with the mail slot in the wall. Zimmerman
moved to purchase the inside unit and have Primeau install it, Clemens seconded the motion, all were in favor and
motion carried 4 to 0.
s Ferguson said she just received a five year agreement from PennDot for plowing the Lake Road. This item
was tabled until next meeting so the supervisors can review the agreement.
s Ferguson said when she scheduled the caution lights to be repaired, the company suggested the township
consider installing LED units (with a five year warranty on the light bulbs) to save money on the cost of replacing the
bulbs and the information is on file if they are interested.
s Ferguson said the three year audit of the township pension plan is available for public review during business
hours and reported as the PSATS CDL program administrator that one of the employees participated successfully in
the random drug testing program.
s Ferguson asked the supervisors to consider having the “HELP # ‘s” updated in the township. Ferguson said
she recently found out that the ambulance crew is still using the numbers and according to Blake Buffington at the
911 Center, about 20 % of the township does not have a number. Zimmerman said this was discussed before and
the ambulance crews should be using the street names. Tobin said the 911 Center issued the HELP # ‘s. Ferguson
said Buffington said the municipalities pay for the program. Ferguson also suggested changes to the road signs
indicating how the house numbers run. After further discussion, Zimmerman said he thinks we should send a letter to
the ambulance association asking why they don’t use the street names.
s Lillian Patten suggested the supervisors look at the job descriptions of the four people who won’t take care of
the yard.
s Dennis Schnoke said he would like the supervisors to remember his feelings on the development in his
neighborhood. He said since the Comprehensive Plan was accepted, he can’t’ see why we can’t put a halt on
development until it is in place. Tobin said if the development plan is within the ordinances, the township can’t stop it.
s Colin Tobin said a guy near the school is burning plastic junk that stinks every night. The fire company has
been called because the flames were so high people thought the school was on fire. Can’t the supervisors come up
with something to stop them from burning plastic? Clemens said the problem with banning any burning is who is
going to check what is being burned. Diane Tobin said she had brought this issue to the board before and it did not
pass. Colin said he will contact the Schuylkill County Fire Marshal.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:37 PM, Zimmerman moved to adjourn the meeting, Tobin seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried 4 to 0
and meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Ferguson, Secretary / Treasurer