The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met at the township meeting room for their regular scheduled meeting. Present were Supervisors Rob Sanders, Dave Dietrich, Doug Smith, Fern Sibert, Shirley Mounts, Robert and Vonna Lamperski.
Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Minutes of the previous meeting were read. Motion by Sanders, second by Smith to approve the minutes as read.
Chairman Sanders went into new business first. Fern Sibert went before the board to inform them about her efforts to clean up trash along the roadways of Washington County. She began on her own in Washington’s West End about 4 years ago. Her efforts have grown to include more volunteers. Shirley Mounts indicated she is from Buffalo township. Ms. Sibert indicated that she is now a brand, new non-profit, “Clean Up Our County, Inc.” and is trying to fund raise but must be a non-profit for one year before she can obtain a gambling license to sell tickets, etc. However, some VFD’s have offered to fund raise on her behalf. She is trying to raise $150,000.00 in start up funds. Materially, they need a dump truck, 2 pick-up trucks, 4 weed eaters, trash bags, 2 pop up tents, office and storage space to rent. Her goal is to pick up 4000 bags of trash per week. She is asking for support and donations to get the non-profit off the ground. Dietrich asked if a township donates an amount toward the effort, then would that township be guaranteed to have trash picked up in the donating township? Smith asked what percentage of township roads do they currently pick up trash? And what does the money currently go towards. Ms. Sibert stated that Penn Dot will pick up large quantities of filled trash bags along state roads. Sometimes they must take it to the landfill themselves and are charged a fee. They would like to have volunteers by Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Robert and Vonna Lamperski live on Craft Creek Road. They have a Marcellus gas well site upon their property in which they have an agreement which initially was between them and CNX. It is located about 400 feet from their home. It was first a CNX owned gas well, then sold to CNX/Noble, then HG and now is owned by Diversified Gas. They came before the board complaining about the noise. A metal building has been placed over the compressor and the Lamperski’s were told it would quite down the noise, but they said it doesn’t. Morris Township noise ordinance states that sound readings can be measured from the property line. Dietrich stated that since the gas well is upon their own land, a sound meter reading would have to be taken at the Lamperski’s property line that borders their neighbor’s property lines. Not at their house or at the gas well site. Smith said he knows that gas companies has the ability, to muffle sound considerably but the Lamperski’s stated that would cost the gas company money. Secretary to ask township solicitor about his opinion. Supervisors can take the township sound meter to get a reading at the neighbor’s property line.
In old business, Mark Crouch issue with Pie Ridge Road field access was resolved with stone from contractor.
PSATS does not keep a record indicating which townships have exotic animal ordinances. However, state regulations are very strict rules that mandate compliance with permits, import permits and having exotic animal enclosures inspected. Discussion ensued.
Smith spoke with Alexis of Range and she indicated that Range no longer provides projected laterals, only laterals that are in place, as it can give an unfair advantage to people dealing with leases, etc.
Chairman Sanders reopened new business. Sanders noted that he fell into a 2-1/2 feet drainage ditch on Bells Lake Road while they were working on installing culverts. He fell on his left shoulder and left upper arm. He did not seek medical attention. The incident was reported to the township secretary and was reported to the township worker’s comp insurance carrier as required.
Motion by Sanders, second by Dietrich to review and pay bills. Motion by Sanders, second by Smith to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Lesnock, Secretary