The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met for their regular meeting at the Municipal Building. Present were Supervisors Sam Bartolotto, David Dietrich & Patrick Bracey, Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Solicitor Dennis Makel, Police Officer Robert Gahagan, Dave Watt, Marcy Lindley, Shirley Harris, Doug & Pegg Smith, Randy Hamilton, Kevin Phillips, Rob Sanders, John Leasure, Billy Schwarz. The meeting was called to order at 7:00.
Public Participation: Randy asked a question about insurance coverage for an excavator accident.
Doug had a comment about a road slip on Pie Ridge, and a delay in the schoolhouse painting. Dave Watt had a concern about speeding through town and asked if children at play signs could be placed along Rt. 18. Marci Lindley had a concern about directional signs from Rt. 79 to Prosperity.
Motion by Bracey to approve the minutes from the last meeting with the correction of two typos, seconded by Bartolotto. All in favor.
The financial report was available for review.
The Road report was available for review. Trucks are expected to be ready on Aug 22.
The police report was given by Captain Gahagan.
The fire report: there were 17 calls last month, two were responded to during work hours.
A short description of the Mt. Zion Rd. issue was given. The township was given permission by Steve Quinn of CNX to dump some fill over a bank on Mt. Zion Rd. that everyone thought belonged to CNX. It ends up that the property was gifted to the Game Commission by CNX. Representatives from CNX and the Game Commission were supposed to come to the meeting to discuss but none did. Solicitor Makel suggested putting together a summary of all discussions with CNX on the matter.
Old business: On the Harshman site review, neither site was really the best place for the water filling station. There was discussion on applying for an LSA grant this year for the engineering study and applying for another next year for the construction. Motion by Bracey to move forward with grant application for the study for this year’s round of LSA grants, seconded by Bartolotto, all in favor.
Act 537 Planning update: Letters were sent to alternate property owners, the only reply came from the church. Their site has a right of way through it so it would not be suitable for our purpose. Bracey is in discussion with Jason Hartley from Core(formerly Consol) to get a longwall map for mining near the original proposed property and some kind of agreement to minimize the effect of mining on the property.
On the Minor Lane situation, We received three estimates to demolish the structure and clean up the property.
Matthew Crawford, at $5,500.00, Jim Wilson, at $9,600.00 and Apex at $8,900.00.
Motin by Bracey to accept the Crawford bid for the sum of $5,500 subject to the following conditions; 1. He can provide proof of worker’s compensation insurance
2. An insurance certificate naming Morris Township as additional insured.
3. Sign an agreement of indemnification for Morris Township, its Board of Supervisors, and each individual Supervisor.
4. Payment to be 40% down and the remainder upon completion and the satisfaction of the township.
5. Property will be seeded/mulched.
Seconded by Dietrich, all in favor.
There was a short discussion on the America 250 Grants.
Leasure subdivision: Motion by Bracey to approve subject to:
- Washington County Planning Commission has reviewed and recommended same.
- Morris Township Planning Commission review and recommended same.
- Receive Final approval from South Franklin Board of Supervisors.
- Same be executed by appropriate partners.
Seconded by Bartolotto. All in favor.
AED pricing: We received pricing from a couple of different companies. Will table for now to see if there are grants available for AED purchases.
Day Hill Rd is in horrible condition; a re-profile has been suggested. Three quotes were solicited, only two companies sent estimates. Youngblood Paving, at $20,175.00 and East American at $16,849.50. Bracey preferred to wait until we have more info on the CNX issue, Bartolotto stated that it is going to need to be done regardless of the outcome of that situation. Motion by Bartolotto to accept the East American bid for the re profiling of Day Hill Rd subject to them providing the appropriate bonds, insurance certificate naming Morris Township as additional insured and a letter indemnifying Morris Township, it’s Board of Supervisors and each individual Supervisor. Final payment will be made upon completion inspected to the satisfaction of the Township. Seconded by Dietrich. Bracey not in favor.
Discussion on Solar Ordinance, BEST (battery storage) Ordinance and Data Center Ordinances, all of which are becoming necessary due to the increased popularity of Western Pennsylvania for all of these purposes.
Motion by Bracey to approve Heavy Haul agreements for Core for Horseshoe Bend, Lemon Hill, Minton Run, Old Concord, Woods Day, and JI Dunn roads. Seconded by Dietrich, all in favor.
Motion by Bracey to review and pay bills, seconded by Bartolotto, all in favor.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:20.