The Morris Township Board of Supervisors met for their regular meeting at the Municipal Building. Present were Supervisors Sam Bartolotto, Dave Dietrich & Patrick Bracey(by phone), Zoning Officer Bob Sanders, Mike & Billie Schwarz, Scott & Marty Finch, Doug & Pegg Smith, Tim & Janet Hamilton, Randy Hamilton, Dave Franz and Chief Will DeForte.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.
Public Participation: Scott Finch had questions and comments about a truck parked in the police parking spot, the handicapped spots, the police staying in the building, the room up in the mezzanine. Marty asked about the progress of the fence around the pond. Randy asked about the room cost and approval. Doug asked about a demo permit for a Consol house and the parking change.
Motion by Bartolotto to approve the minutes from the last meeting as written, seconded by Dietrich, all in favor.
The financial report was available for review.
The road report was available for review.
The police report was given by Chief DeForte.
Fire department report: There were 24 calls last month, one was responded to during work hours.
Motion by Bracey to accept a minimum price of $12,000 for the truck on Municibid, seconded by Dietrich, all in favor.
Act 537 update: Bracey spoke with a Consol representative and they are unwilling to change any mining plans.
Signs on pavilions: there was much discussion over the recognition of the companies who donated. Doug suggested that maybe they should be named after people in the community. Mike suggested maybe naming them after distinguishing features of Morris Township. It was also suggested that they not be named at all. Motion by Bracey to remove current signs, seconded by Dietrich, all in favor.
New Business: Discussion on health insurance renewal and cost of different plans, EPO vs PPO, deductibles and out of pocket max.
Motion by Bracey to approve the UPMC EPO Gold with $1,500 deductible, seconded by Bartolotto, all in favor.
Discussion on different ways to handle the park committee, between forming an official board or just having a parks account, requesting funds from the township for each event. More research will be done and more discussion will follow.
A $5,000 PIRMA grant is available for municipalities who are current insurance subscribers for projects that reduce liability, such as a fence for the pond. Lighting and cameras were also discussed. Supervisors will consider a project to apply for and it will be decided upon at the next meeting.
There was discussion on the need for another dog waste station or maybe more trash cans in the park. Motion by Bartolotto to purchase and install a new dog waste station, seconded by Bracey, all in favor. Trash cans may be discussed in the future.
There was much discussion on the proposed budget and the budgeting process. There was a motion made by Bartolotto to accept the proposed budget and make it available for review to the public to be voted on at the next meeting. Seconded by Dietrich, all in favor.
Motion by Bartolotto to review and pay bills, seconded by Dietrich, all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:42.