The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met for their regular meeting at the municipal building. Present were Supervisors Dave Dietrich, Patrick Bracey and Sam Bartolotto, Zoning officer Bob Sanders, Police Chief Will DeForte, Greg Dunn, Rob Sanders, Rick and Valerie Sanders, Jim Watt, Gary Harrison, Tim Hamilton, Randy Hamilton, Marty Finch, Monique Frye, Lily & Zac, Doug & Pegg Smith, Jeff Mooney.
The meeting was called to order at 7:02.
Public Participation: Doug Smith and Randy Hamilton had comments on the agenda and the amount of discussion that takes place at meetings. Doug does not think there is enough discussion. Other comments were made on a deadline for agenda items and citizen issues that don’t have to be on the agenda.
Jimmy Watt wanted brought the financial records from the fire department to be audited and stated that the VFD bylaws require that they be audited by the township auditors. They need to be completed by Feb. 16. This year will be the Fire Department’s 75th Anniversary.
On review, Marty Finch suggested an addition to the minutes from the last meeting, adding that Dave Dietrich stated that there will be no discussions of employee raises at the meeting (Jan.2). Motion from Dietrich to approve the minutes from the previous meeting with that addition. Seconded by Bartolotto, all agreed.
Financial report was available to review. Police report was given by Chief DeForte. Our police time has been increased to 40 hours in the township with a computer system in the municipal building. The weekly report is always hanging in the vestibule on the bulletin board for citizen review. Road report was given by Dietrich.
Gary Harrison had a question about an incident that happened last week where a police officer came to his house to talk about a sign that he posted in response to a dispute with his neighbor about land that is being leased out by Consol. He doesn’t feel that the police should be involved. Chief Defort discussed the rights of the neighbor who is leasing the property and will to try to work things out with both neighbors peacefully.
In Old Business: Bruce Cowden has voiced interest in filling the vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board. Motion by Bracey to appoint Bruce to the Zoning hearing Board. Seconded by Bartolotto, all agreed.
New Business: Motion by Dietrich to proceed with the Community Block Grant from Washington County to improve Covered Bridge Road. Seconded by Bartolotto, all agreed.
There was a request from the Secretary that instead of posting complaints or issues on social media, they please call or email the township directly as it may not be seen or responded to just from a facebook post. There were comments and a discussion about when the minutes are posted, about the agenda and when and who posts them. Comments were made on these subjects by Marty Finch, Nikki Frye, Doug Smith, Pegg Smith, Randy Hamilton. Discussion ensued about raises and how they are determined, benefits and how they factor in, the pay disparity between employees. A suggestion was made by Nikki to have the solicitor present at each meeting and there was discussion on how he is paid.
On employee raises, Jeff Mooney requested a 4% increase.
Motion was made by Bracey to give a 3% raise to Jeff Mooney, which would be .75 bringing his rate to $25.90, 3% to Rob Sanders, which would be .88, making his pay $30.18 and 3% to Pam Bartolotto, which would be .69, making her rate $23.69. Seconded for by Bartolotto, all agreed for Rob and Jeff. For Secretary, Bartolotto abstained.
Bracey investigated microphone/speaker systems. There are many choices. We will see how things go with the heater blower turned off and if people still can’t hear, the issue will be revisited.
Motion by Dietrich to review and pay bills, seconded by Bartolotto. All agreed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:38