The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met at the township meeting room for their regular scheduled meeting. Present were Supervisors Dave Dietrich, Rob Sanders, Doug Smith, Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Jim Watt, Carl Sanders and Dusty Stockdale.
Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. Minutes of the previous meeting were read. Motion by Sanders, second by Smith to approve the minutes as read.
In old business, Blair Construction should begin construction of the storage building by February 21 and construction should be completed in a couple weeks.
Vince Alfieri met with GMS and GMS provided a letter to Morris Township verifying that GMS is planning to construct a modular steel building that can be deconstructed and relocated when necessary. The building will serve the purpose of a changing and showering facility for the employees working at the mining complex. GMS is working with Vince Alfieri in their application for a building permit.
Pertaining to the ongoing development of an employee manual, Smith stated he has reviewed the draft and he believes vacation and sick time are too generous. He stated he didn’t agree with 120 vacation days. Sanders stated that the draft indicates 120 vacation HOURS for employees with seven (7) years of fulltime employment, and NOT 120 days. He added that after twelve (12) years of fulltime employment it would be increased to 160 hours of vacation time per year. Sanders stated this was discussed at one of the workshops that Smith had attended and went on to state that Smith did not attend many of the workshops even though they were scheduled to accommodate Smith. Smith also disagreed with giving fulltime employees seven (7) sick days per year. After additional discussion, motion by Sanders, second by Dietrich to send draft of employee manual to Solicitor Bill Hook for his review and final compilation prior to it being brought before the board for a vote. Smith stated he abstained from voting, and that he knew he was able to vote no on the matter but chose to abstain.
Morris Township received a second bid for cleaning the township building from Pam Allision Ashby. However, she indicated that she did not carry insurance and would not be obtaining any insurance coverage as she has never needed it from her other clients she cleans for. Smith stated that without insurance her bid is not able to be acted upon and therefore rejected. Secretary still waiting on Sherry Stevenson to submit her bid. Secretary sent bid form via email and Sanders stated that the bid should be mailed directly to her and to contact her directly. This issue was then tabled.
Secretary spoke with Keystone Collections about Consol’s Archer Road Portal opening soon. Keystone indicated they are confident that Consol will be collecting and remitting non-resident wage tax from employees that reside in states that do not collect wage tax, as they currently collected and remit from employees at the Dry Run Road portal. However, Keystone indicated the township could relay Consol contact info to Keystone just to be sure.
Regarding the premium increase for the V.F.D. Building that the township pays, the $300.00 increase was not accurate. There was a $300.00 difference between two options of insurance for V.F.D. They ranged from Option #2 (Guaranteed replacement value of $ 595,790) and an additional premium amount of $1,200.00 and Option #3 (Replacement value limit of $467,532) with an increase in the premium of $873.00. Other options had lower values of replacement. After much discussion, Motion by Sanders, with Smith making an addition and a second to Sanders motion, indicating that it is with the understanding that before next years insurance renewal, the township will pursue a process to more accurately determine the replacement cost of the Volunteer Fire Department Building. Jim Watt also reminded the Supervisors that in the agreement transferring the property from the Township to the V.F.D., it stipulates that, should the V.F.D. ever relinquish ownership of the building, and as the V.F.D. is not permitted to sell the building, ownership would be transferred back to the Township. Therefore, the township has an active interest in providing adequate insurance coverage. Dietrich abstained from voting as he is Chief of the V.F.D.
Motion by Dietrich, second by Smith to review and pay bills. Motion by Dietrich, second by Sanders to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy W. Lesnock, Secretary