Morris Township
Washington County, PA
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Supervisor Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2017

The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met at the municipal building for their regular scheduled meeting.  Present were Supervisors David Stockdale, Dave Dietrich, Doug Smith, Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Daryl Shingle, McGuffey Transportation Director Mary Lee Shingle, Duncan Smith III, Anastatia Flannigan, Bob Franz, David Franz, Carl Sanders, Rob Sanders, Tom Coffield, Peg Smith and John Mesko.

Chairman Stockdale called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

In old business, many were in attendance to discuss the closure Weir Cole Road at the intersection of the bridge construction project on Plum Sock Road.  The Sub Contractor of the bridge project was supposed to be in attendance, but was not. Duncan Smith III said he had two big concerns. The closure represents a problem for the busing of school children and it is very difficult to navigate the lower end of Weir Cole Road in the winter with that end of the road closed. He felt perhaps a compromise could be made with the construction company like a temporary opening of Weir Cole on the weekends when they’re not working.  He also felt it creates increased traffic on Pie Ridge.  Dietrich stated that it is the big construction equipment that are parked when they’re not working and there would be no where to park that.  The township only gave permission to have Weir Cole Road closed till then end of phase one.  It will be ending soon.  It is the construction company that is requesting the township keep Weir Cole Road closed and the township has not agreed to that request.  Mary Lee Shingle stated as Transportation Director, the bussed school children’s safety is her utmost concern.  She told Supervisors that the township road crew needed to pay close attention to treat the paved portion of that end of Weir Cole Road during the winter. Dietrich told Ms. Shingle that there have been many times that McGuffey School Bus drivers call him with issues that relate to State Roads and that the township is not responsible for the State Roads. Ms. Shingle asked for a map of the township roads so that her drivers will know which are state and which are township roads. Stockdale stated that all involved have concerns about the closure of Weir Cole and all want a speedy resolution to this problem. The township will do what we can as soon as we can. Smith said he would stop by the construction site tomorrow and speak with the project manager. Discussion ensued.

The Planning Commission held their meeting on December 11 and did not recommend passing a resolution to forward the Curative Amendment to Wash. Co. Planning Co.regarding Auto/Truck sales.  Tom Coffield was in attendance and he stated that even it the township would pass a curative amendment, the state has many requirements to meet in order to get an auto sales license.  Just because it could be an approved part of a conditional use, the state could still prohibit granting a license if the state requirements are not met. The first step in applying to the state for a license is providing info that Auto Sales would be permitted in the township.

After much discussion, motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to approve resolution #4 of 2017 agreeing to forward the curative amendment regarding auto sales on to the Washington County Planning Commission for their review. 

Regarding the 2018 Police Agreement with Greene County Regional Police Department, motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to approve the 2018 Police Agreement. All agreed. The contract will be paid monthly.

David Franz and Bob Franz attendieda the meeting to discuss the increase of just under $800.00 per month in Health Insurance premium for the township road crew.  David Franz indicated there were ways to reduce the increase, but it would require changing the health plan and raising deductibles, copays and out of pocket limits. After much discussion, motion by Stockdale, second by Dietrich to keep plan as is with the increase in premium.  Smith voted against the motion. 

The Daisy Mounts property on Craft Creek Road failed a septic test and it was determined that a holding tank was the only solution.  It would have to be pumped when the tank was 75% full.  Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to have Solicitor Hook draw up a holding tank agreement between the new owner and the township with $1,900.00 being placed in a non-interest bearing septic escrow account with the township. This amount is the same escrow amount for alternate septic systems.

Doug Stockdale went before the Planning Commission on December 11 and requested, as the trustee of his mom’s farm, to build a pole barn for equipment storage upon his mom’s farm.  He is requesting that it be built next to his own property line. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommending that he go before the Zoning Hearing Board with his request. 

Dietrich said that the township’s current communications license had expired.  Then he found out that the township was on the same frequency as a V.F.D. in Parsons WV. They are 75 miles away. Staley Communication notified us that the V.F.D. of Parsons WV agreed to let us use the same frequency as we do not interfere with each other. Motion by Dietrich, second by Smith to sign the agreement with Parsons V.F.D. All agreed.

The current township park dumpster purchased in 2002 has a large hole in the bottom. Dietrich received an estimate of 2 different 4 yard dumpsters. $1,493.00 and $1,009.00.  Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to purchase the dumpster for $1,009.00.  All agreed. Dietrich also stated he would like to get some prices on a steam jenny pressure washer for the trucks.

Motion by Stockdale, second by Dietrich to review and pay bills.  Motion by Stockdale, second by Smith to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 9:06 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Lesnock, Secretary