The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met in the township V.F.D. garage for their regular scheduled meeting. Present were Supervisors David Dietrich, Dusty Stockdale, Doug Smith, Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Planning Commission member Randy Hamilton, Road Crew employee Rob Sanders, Morris Township (Greene Co.) Police Chief Mike Natale, Morris Township (Greene Co.) Patrolman Adam Russell, Carl Sanders, Vanessa Beatty, Jim Beatty, Nancy Thomas, Ralph Farabee, Nancy Stefkovich, Myrtle Clark, Don Clark, Ron Allison, Denny Staggers and Dan Augenstein. Chairman Smith called the meeting to order to 7:33 P.M. Minutes of the previous meeting were read. Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to approve the minutes as read.
In old business, speeding traffic is a concern for many residents of the village of Prosperity. Mike Natale is the Police Chief from Morris Township of Greene County. Chief Natale said that the Morris Township (Greene Co.) Supervisors would be agreeable to contracting out the police services of their police department to surrounding townships. He provided a sample contract to the Board of Supervisors to review and discuss. Myrt Clark live on Prosperity Pike in Prosperity and she stated that speeding traffic through town is terrible. Some commercial trucks travel too fast and are grouped at 6 to 7 trucks in a row. Denny Staggers walks along Prosperity Pike, but stated that it is difficult to move far enough off of the road to be out of danger from the traffic. Nancy Stefkovich is a school bus driver and stated that she has been passed by traffic on a double yellow line on each end of town. She is quite concerned about keeping her school bus children safe and she is unable to write down license plate numbers as she is driving. Nancy Thomas felt that it also could be miners going to and from the portals in the area at shift change. Vanessa Beatty is a mail carrier. She stated she was nearly hit by the trailer of a truck, along with the ups man. Both had to jump in their vehicles to avoid being hit. Smith stated that it is imperative to identify a truck or other vehicles by a license plate or name of company on side of truck. Chief Natale stated he has been working for Morris of Greene for 2-1/2 years. The department is located in the Morris Township Greene Co. building. His Department has portable scales and has the ability to inspect trucks to make sure they are in compliance with condition requirements. Speed may not be the whole issue. The department can also deal with drug and alcohol issues and crime within the community. If Morris of Washington votes to opt in to the Morris of Greene Police service, the cost would be by the hour. The hourly rate would be determined by the amount of hours the police department is scheduled to be in Morris of Washington. Hourly rate is $40.00 per hour and is worked in 8 hour shift blocks. Smith felt that if the township would enter into a contract, it should be for no less than 16 hours per week. The township solicitor would have to review and comment on any contract the township would enter into. Randy Hamilton questioned who is responsible for liability insurance and Chief Natale stated Morris of Greene. Issue was tabled for now.
Dan Augenstein came before the board with the Augenstein planning module for a 10 acre septic permit exemption and had two copies of the survey but no mylar. The planning module was signed. The copy of the signed survey from Washington County Planning Commission was not on hand nor was the mylar. Secretary will call P.C. to see where they are.
Nancy Thomas and Ralph Farabee came before the board to have the Farabee planning module signed. Also, as the Thomas Farabee subdivision is three parcels, each with a dwelling and septic system on it, and as the Farabee subdivision complied with Morris Twp P.C. request to increase right of way to 33’, Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to approve the Farabee Subdivision. All agreed.
Dietrich stated the Weir Cole Road bridge repair begins next week. Also, concerning the road slips on Weir Cole Road and Ringland Ridge, Dietrich met with K-2 Engineering. K-2 didn’t do core samples, but took pictures and felt they could come up with a repair plan without core samples. Supervisors discussed the merits of core samples in dealing with the road slip. Motion by Smith, second by Stockdale to have core samples completed and then an accurate repair plan for the slips can be developed.
New mowing tractor was delivered. However, there was a hydraulic leak that Walsh will have to repair. Dietrich also stated that the re-profile of Bells Lake Road will begin when the weather permits.
Still no road closure agreement or signed conditional use agreement for the Archer Road portal project. Secretary to contact solicitor hook.
Smith stated that Tom Whitmer told him that EQT is planning on placing a tank farm in Morris of Washington just across the line from the EQT well pad site in Morris of Greene. Secretary to look in to this matter and contact someone at EQT.
Smith received a complaint about the condition of Ola’s Lane. Discussion ensued about inability to install guide rails on Ola’s.
Rob Sanders stated that the pavilion needs some maintenance. Discussion ensued. Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to review and pay bills. Motion by Stockdale, second by Smith to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:52 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Lesnock, Secretary