PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
175 OAK GROVE ROAD, PINE GROVE, PA 17963
OCTOBER 14, 2004 BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
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Vice-Chairperson Diane Tobin called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM. Present were
Supervisors Allen Aungst, Herman Clemens, Secretary - Treasurer Kathy Ferguson and
Judith Lehman.
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment - No comments.
New revenue categories for recycling income and construction permits were added to the
proposed budget.
Supervisor Larry Zimmerman joined the meeting at 7:25 PM.
Budget discussion resumed with proposed expense amounts. Salary and wage increases of
3% were estimated for the road crew and road master.
Other discussions included the following:
§ AD Computer charges are lower than anticipated for this year and the proposed
budget amount was lowered.
§ If the per capita tax were re-instituted, the tax collector would get a percentage of the
taxes collected, so an expense amount was added for the tax collector.
§ In discussing the budget amount for the Zoning Officer wages, Tobin asked if his wage
will change when he starts doing the construction inspections. Aungst and Zimmerman said
that it has nothing to do with the Zoning Officer wages and according to discussion with the
other municipalities involved, the Construction Codes Officer will be paid on a per inspection
basis after he has gotten his certification. The inter-municipal group is planning it to be a self-
supporting program with the township not receiving any money the first year. After the first
year, the fees would be restructured so the township would recoup the cost of Koontz’s
training. Aungst added that the fee schedule and agreement was not yet finalized.
§ Host Municipal Inspector budgeted wages figure should be reduced by the 50% that is
reimbursed by the government grant and the amount we claim for Dan Grow’s expenses.
Ferguson said that DCED wants an amount like this applied directly to the expense so that
revenue is not over-inflated.
§ Zimmerman suggested using a uniform service providing shop rags was discussed as
a way of cutting the cost of paper towels.
§ Nextel phones were discussed as an option instead of the cell phones. Lehman
submitted pricing information she gathered. An expense amount for communications was
budgeted and a decision on getting Nextel phones will be discussed further at a later date.
§ It was discussed getting rid of truck #4 because it is not being used and repairs for the
oil leak to truck #12 will not be done because it will be the spare and not used much.
§ Street lighting costs were discussed; it was decided to find out where the street light
invoice for Pine Grove Township comes from and see if it should actually be included with the
Ravine lights or if it is street lights that are not needed.
§ Line striping, salt, and cinders expense amounts will be paid out of the Liquid Fuels
Fund.
§ Tobin said a volunteer from Ravine Fire Company reported that his pay has been
reduced because his employer said he is not responsible to close the store because of his
responding to fire company calls. Tobin asked the board if they would consider sending a
letter to the employer in support of the volunteer fireman stating the law that does not allow
them to penalize an employee for this reason. After discussion, it was agreed that if the
fireman provides proper documentation to the supervisors, they agree to send a letter to his
employer.
§ Aungst said to save money on newspaper advertising costs they had previously talked
about using only one newspaper. He said the Press Herald circulation is 694 in the 17963 zip
code and 139 in the Tremont zip code. The Citizen Standard circulation is 305 plus the
newsstand. The Press Herald cost is $1.25 per line for legal classified plus $8.00 for proof of
advertisement. The Citizen Standard cost is $1.66 per line and $6.00 for proof of
advertisement. It was agreed to use the Press Herald for legal advertisements and put it on
the agenda for the January re-organization meeting.
Aungst moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM, Larry Zimmerman seconded the motion, all
were in favor and motion carried 4 to 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy Ferguson
Secretary / Treasurer
Pine Grove Township
Approved by BOS 12/08/04.