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, Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Carl Sanders, Steve Buchanan, Randy Hamilton, Greene County Regional Police Officer Will DeForte, CNX Rep., Andrew Kinter and Ryan Aubuchon and Carissa Hansen.
Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:44 P.M. Minutes of the previous meeting were read. The financial report was made available for inspection. Motion by Sanders, second by Smith to approve the minutes as read. All agreed.
In old business, the township received 4 sealed bids for the Dry Run Road slip project. Bids were opened at 7:45 P.M. 1) Redstone Option #A, Retaining Wall $232,501.00 and Option #B, Slope Reconstruction $185,850.00. 2). Geo Energy, Option A, did not bid, Option B, $94,996.00. 3) Custom Contracting, Option A, $142,600.00. Option B, $127,600.00. 4) John Stewart, Option A, $105,750.00, Option B, did not bid. The decision of the Dry Run Road slip project was postponed until a bit later in the meeting, so the board could address other matters.
The Supervisors acknowledged the decision made by the Zoning Hearing Board to approve the Height Variance request of CNX for a proposed flare stack that relates to the original Condition Use request to operate a compressor station on Archer Road. Smith indicated that he was able to view and listen to the similar compressor station in Greene County. Smith also felt that if CNX constructs over five compressor units then CNX should cover the units with a structure. Andrew Kinter stated he didn’t have an issue with that. Dietrich interjected that he believed CNX had stated such in the conditional use request. Motion by Smith, second by Sanders to add language that CNX would comply with the construction of a structure over the compressor units within a year of the completion of the sixth compressor unit. Kinter also stated item 2B of the proposed conditions that would mandate the first 50’ of the access land to be paved, could be an issue as the DEP may not approve the paved lane as it would not comply with their storm water run off regulations. Motion by Sanders, second by Dietrich to add language stating “50’ of access lane to be paved subject to DEP approval”. Proposed condition #25, Applicant shall repair or demolish all structures on subject parcel, deemed dangerous under the Morris Township Dangerous Structures Ordinance. Kinter stated CNX Midstream LLC has applied for the Condition Use and the property is owned by CNX Land. They are both entities of CNX, but different areas. CNX Midstream would have to get the approval from CNX Land to comply with that condition. Steve Buchanan stated he currently runs cattle upon that parcel of property and the water for the barns is made available through the house. If the house was demolished the water supply would be disrupted. Also, it is just the porch that is collapsing on the house. Dietrich felt the township could deal with the collapsed porch directly through CNX Land instead of placing the condition on the conditional use. Discussion ensued. Motion by Sanders, second by Dietrich to approve the CNX Conditional Use application subject to the agreed upon Conditions. All agreed.
Officer Will DeForte addressed the board with the July 2018 activity report. 1 burglary alarm, 2 DUI (1 drug-1 alcohol) 2 medical assist VFD, 1 vehicle crash (non-reportable, no injury) 1 house check, 1 disabled vehicle and 23 traffic citations and 2 warnings. Officer DeForte acknowledged that Morris Township (Wash. Co) had not been provided with adequate service from the Regional Police Dept., due to employment disparity and he apologized for that fact. However, they have since hired and trained additional officers and have been able to provide Morris Township with the hours agreed upon contractually. The Department will begin providing additional hours of service to Morris Township to compensate for the previous lack of service hours. Also, Officer DeForte would like to hold a beginner’s gun safety class for Morris Township residents in September and then would follow up with a second class to be held at a gun range where individuals can lean to property fire their weapons. This would be at no cost to the residents of Morris Township. Smith would like to see a class held that addressed self-protection and the legal parameters in which a firearm can be used that relate to self-defense. Discussion ensued. Officer DeForte also indicated that he is now the supervising officer for Morris Township from the Greene County Regional Police Department.
Regarding the dilapidated Hathaway property. Russell Hathaway signed for the Notice of Violation that was sent to them via certified mail. The Hathaway’s have 10 days from the signature date to appeal to Morris Township and 30 days from the signature date to take action by either repairing or demolishing the dangerous structures. APEX Pipe and Earth Excavation can begin demolishing the structures after September 1, 2018.
Randy Hamilton asked how the personnel manual was progressing. Carl Sanders asked when it would be available for public review and comment. Chairman Rob Sanders said it is close to being finished but they have not worked on it lately. He stated that it would not be in effect until the new year anyway and they still had time to develop the personnel handbook. Discussion ensued.
In new business, Carl Sanders stated he rented the park for a reunion and the garbage cans were overflowing when they arrived to set up for the picnic. He also said the birds are still making a mess in the picnic shelter and on the picnic tables. Sanders said he will look at the structure and figure out a way that the openings can be enclosed. Supervisors discussed the possibility of having a security deposit along with the park rental and if the structure is left clean, the security deposit can be refunded. If it is left a mess, then the security deposit can be retained and put toward cleaning up the pavilion. Discussion ensued.
Chairman Sanders went back into old business regarding the bids for the Dry Run Road slip project. As Geo Energy, Option #2, Reconstruction of Slope $94,996.00 is the low bid, Motion by Dietrich, second by Sanders to award bid to Geo Energy. All agreed.
Motion by Sanders, second by Smith to review and pay bills. Motion by Sanders, second by Dietrich to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:14 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Lesnock, Secretary