The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met at the township office for their regular scheduled meeting. Present were Supervisors Dusty Stockdale, Dave Dietrich, Doug Smith, Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Morris of Greene Police Chief Mike Natale, Planning Commission member Randy Hamilton, Rob Sanders, Carl Sanders, Dennis Locy and Michael Shymchyk. Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. Minutes of the previous meeting were read. Smith added that he was not available to decide on metal colors for the new building, but he understood that a decision needed to be made in a timely manner. Motion by Smith, second by Stockdale to approve the minutes as read.
Chairman Smith opened the meeting up to new business first. Dennis Locy came before the board and stated that Zoning Officer Bob Sanders stopped by his property to give him a zoning permit application as it was discovered that Locy was building a pole barn without a zoning permit issued by the township. Sanders indicated that the pole barn does not meet the minimum front set back distance in Zoning Ordinance #1 of 1973. Supervisors told Locy that he must stop building the barn and he will have to go before the Zoning Hearing Board to request a variance of the front set back distance. Secretary will contact Zoning Hearing Board and contact Court Stenographer for hearing. Once a date is agreed upon, Secretary will advertise hearing date. Locy will have to reimburse township for legal ad and court stenographer fee.
Michael Shymchyk told the board that the gas well trucks have torn up parts of Cabin Road and Harvey Road. There are ruts and mud when it rains and dust when it’s dry. He also stated that the culvert at the corner of McMullens is crushed. Smith will take a drive to view the problem areas of the Cabin and Harvey. Dietrich will also look into the road issues.
Chief Natale presented the board with some figures that pertain to the new Greene County Regional Police Department that is being created by Morris of Greene, Perry and Wayne Townships, all of Greene County. He indicated that final cost figures are not complete yet. However, based on 2016 costs, Morris Township of Washington County could still be charged a contracted price of $36.00 per hour for 24 hours of service per week for a one year contract. But, if Morris Township of Washington County wants to join the Regional police force as a member, then the township would have to contribute $68,000.00 to be paid over two years. This is in addition to the $36.00 per hour price for police service. Chief Natale gave the board an agreement to review and stated that a decision is needed by November 7th. The Supervisors discussed the options of continuing to contract out Police services or joining the newly formed department. After a very lengthy discussion, motion by Smith, second by Stockdale to continue to contract out police services for a one year contract, based on $36.00 per hour for 24 hours of service a week, without joining the Regional Police Department, subject to two things. Morris Township Solicitor Bill Hook approving the contract and the final hourly cost being known and approved by the board.
Lesnock was asked by road crew employee if township contributed additional percentage to PMRS, could the extra amount be reimbursed by PMRS to Morris Township. Lesnock to obtain additional info for next township meeting.
Concerning the Hathaways, Bill Hook will draw up a new N.O.V. once the 90 days has expired on the old one. This time, township will be seeking to have the property demolished.
Dietrich met with El Grande. In order to have paving go past the road slip repair area on Weir Cole Road, it will cost about $12,296.00 and the township would be responsible for payment. Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to piggy back on the Redevelopment Authority bid that was awarded to El Grande for the Block Grant paving work on Weir Cole Road to obtain the extra paving footage needed to reach just above the road slip repair area for an approximate cost of $12,296.00. All agreed.
Concerning a necessary West Penn Power Easement for the township municipal building construction project, Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to grant an easement to West Penn Power. Secretary to compile all necessary paperwork and have Solicitor Hook review.
Randy Hamilton stated the Redevelopment Authority has a list of contractors they use for demolition of unsafe structures and a contract the township could use as a template for such issues. Also, Hamilton provided the township with a sample letter that could be used by the township to try to get residents to come into compliance with their dilapidated, unsafe structures.
Log Cabin Fence Company installed the new tarp on the township superstructure.
Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to review and pay bills. Motion by Smith, second by Dietrich to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:34 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Lesnock, Secretary