The Morris Township Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting at the Municipal Building. Present were Supervisors Sam Bartolotto, Dave Dietrich, Rob Sanders, Zoning officer Bob Sanders, Solicitor Dennis Makel, Marissa King, Scott Finch, Randy Hamilton, Tim Hamilton, Pat Bracey, George Bracey, Doug & Pegg Smith, Jeff Mooney, Bonnie & Emeline Ferguson, Dusty Stockdale. Meeting called to order at 6:00.
Public Participation: Doug stated that he does not feel a public participation policy is necessary and thinks if challenged, it would be overruled in court.
Scott does not think it serves the public.
Patrick thinks that participation needs to be more open and he is disappointed to read this policy.
Pegg thinks more people should be aware of it.
Randy wants the Planning Commission to look over the policy. He doesn’t want revisions, he thinks the policy is not necessary. He is also not happy with the road master report. He wants the walking trail addressed. Lengthy discussion on the progress of it.
Tim voiced concern over the participation policy.
Mr. Makel gave a synopsis of the Sunshine Act.
Minutes from previous meeting were read. Motion by Sanders to accept minutes as read, second by Bartolotto. Road master report read. Solicitors report: AARP funds final ruling is out, brief explanation of that.
Old business: Motion by Sanders to table Public Participation Policy until next meeting. Second by Bartolotto. All agreed.
Discussion on fee schedule. Motion by Sanders to approve heavy hauling agreement application fee of $350 with a $3,500 escrow and the road bore application fee of $350 with a $1,500 escrow. Second by Bartolotto. All agreed.
Motion by Sanders to table the rest of the fee schedule for further review. Second by Bartolotto. All agreed. Suggestion by Randy to add temporary trailer fee to fee schedule.
Randy suggested using BIU for zoning and ordinance enforcement if Bob ever decides to step down. Also, raising the zoning permit fee.
In new business: On the RTK request, the requested bills will be available to review up to 10:00 on Wednesday, when they are sent out. Brief discussion on time frame of Sunshine Act.
Motion by Dietrich to allow Randy to look at bills either after the meeting or on Wednesday meeting before 10:00 if he has filed a RTK request. Second by Sanders. All agreed.
The May 17 meeting will have to be postponed due to the primary election. Motion by Sanders to advertise second May meeting change to Wednesday, May 18, second by Bartolotto. All agreed.
Motion by Sanders to note that the tax collector must be bonded for a minimum of 30% of the tax amount collected. Assessed values for Morris Township for 2022 are $124,192,036.00. Expected collection at face value is $90,660.00. Bond amount is $30,177.60. Second by Bartolotto. All agreed.
Marissa King (the tax collector) requests Carol Schilinski to be assigned as deputy tax collector. In the event that anything were to happen to cause Marissa to not be able to fulfill her duties as tax collector, it is good to have a deputy who is familiar with the job. Carol is the tax collector for South Franklin township and would be able to fill in for Marissa until Marissa returns or a new tax collector is appointed. Motion by Sanders to assign Carol as deputy tax collector, second by Dietrich. All agreed.
Bonnie Ferguson had a request for public water to be run from the Upper Ten Mile church to the Greene County line. Cost of laying water lines was discussed and that much distance would be cost prohibitive but Supervisors will look into possibly coming from the Greene County side with Southwestern PA water.
A letter was sent to residents along 18 in Prosperity about the possibility of bringing public sewage to the Village of Prosperity. A meeting will be held on February 17 to give information and get the opinions of residents as to whether they are interested. Randy brought up the possibility of a package treatment plant when exploring the possibility of public sewage.
Motion by Sanders to review and pay bills, second by Dietrich. Meeting adjourned 7:00