The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met at the township meeting room for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Supervisors David Stockdale, Dave Dietrich, Doug Smith, Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Randy Hamilton, Bob Franz and Rob Sanders. Chairman Stockdale called the meeting to order at 7:31 P.M. Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.
In old business, the new township sign will be installed by the weekend. Township will pay the remaining balance once sign has been installed.
Dietrich wants to have Solicitor Hook draw up better wording regarding the ordinance for open cutting of township roads and installation of driveways from a township road. It is too vague and needs more precise wording. Smith wants to continue to be able to enforce how Landlords report who their tenants are, so that Keystone can accurately collect wage taxes that are due to Morris Township. The only ordinance that will fall within the curative amendment is Ordinance #2 of 2010 which was originally amended from Ordinance #1 of 1973. Supervisors want to amend so that “retail sales of autos/trucks are included in the paragraph relating to auto body and auto repair shops. Secretary Lesnock will contact Hook pertaining to this.
Dietrich stated that the long-range camera is not installed yet. He will ask Tim Fritz about the timeline for installation.
Since the township has moved to the new municipal building, and the fact that there are many years of paperwork currently stored in the old township building’s attic, and many are no longer necessary to retain, Motion by Stockdale, second by Dietrich to approve Resolution #2 of 2017, Declaring Morris Township’s intent to follow the schedules and procedures for disposition of records as set forth in the municipal records manual of July 16, 1993. All agreed.
Solicitor Hook needs to know the exact name of the Volunteer Fire Department before he can begin to prepare any documents necessary to have the old municipal building transferred to the V.F.D.
A date needs to be set for an Open House. Wednesday December 13 and Wednesday December 20 are two options. Secretary Lesnock will find out which one works best for all parties involved. Secretary Lesnock was also directed to order a flag for the meeting room. Stockdale wants the lot at the entrance to the park cleaned up of its stone and dirt debris.
The Greene County Regional Police Department contract is up for renewal. The cost for 2018 will be $50,544.00. It is a slight increase from last year. The current and new contract indicated that a monthly report would be given to the board pertaining to police activity within the township. Also, there was a paragraph missing from the new contract indicating that the officers would attend Washington County courts. (Most likely, this omission was an oversight, as we are in Washington County, but the other townships are in Greene County). Stockdale stated that the Greene County Regional Police Force also respond to V.F.D. calls, both for fire and medical. He also stated that an extra set of hands are needed when there aren’t many first responders in the township during the day. Secretary Lesnock will contact Chief Natale and request he attends the next meeting on Dec 5.
The 2018 preliminary budget has been prepared and reviewed by the Supervisors. Taxes will remain unchanged. Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to tentatively approve the 2018 preliminary budget. All agreed.
Discussion ensued over having professionals cut some trees that are deemed in danger of falling on township roads. Also, Bob Sanders asked if the rest of Weir Cole would be paved as was previously agreed upon. Dietrich stated that the cost was a factor in not completing that portion of Weir Cole. Bob Franz felt that as a school bus route, Weir Cole should take priority.
Bob Franz wants the township to act on razing 387 Grove Road, now that the township building is complete. Secretary to ask Solicitor Hook about re-notifying the Hathaway’s and re-bidding the project so the township can have the property razed.
In new business, a resident of Morris Township contacted Secretary Lesnock to state that he realized he overpaid his 2013 wage tax. Keystone Collections informed him the statute of limitations had run out and therefore they could not authorize a refund. Secretary Lesnock contacted Solicitor Hook, and he stated Morris had to appoint Keystone as hearing officer, then once done, and Keystone denies his request, then resident can pursue action in court if he so chooses. Motion by Stockdale, second by Dietrich to appoint Keystone Collections as Earned Income Hearing Officer. All agreed.
Motion by Stockdale, second by Dietrich to review and pay bills. Motion by Dietrich, second by Smith to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:11 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Lesnock Secretary