In Attendance Were Supervisors Carl, Rachau and Klinger, Secretary/Treasurer Mckinney

Sunbury, PA 17801 October 8, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Shamokin Township Supervisors was held on October 8, 2008, 7:30 p.m. at the Shamokin Township Municipal Building.

In attendance were Supervisors Carl, Rachau and Klinger, Secretary/Treasurer McKinney, Solicitor Jim Bathgate, Roadmaster Jon Clemens, Code Officer Ken Young and 6 visitors.

Supervisor Klinger moved, seconded by Supervisor Rachau to approve the September minutes as presented. Motion was passed unanimously.

The Treasurer’s Report was read and approved on a motion by Supervisor Rachau seconded by Supervisor Klinger. Motion was passed unanimously.

Solicitor’s Report Solicitor Bathgate stated the Ag Security Area additions were approved and sent to the County Recorder of Deeds, the Planning Commission and the Department of Agriculture. The next review will be in 2013.

Roadmaster’s Report Jon Clemens reported that the last of the pipe was placed on Friedline Road and will now be submitting receipts for a grant from the Conservation District for around $27,000.00. Old Reading Road is ready for a seal coat next year.

Concerning a request from Durdach Brothers for a guard rail behind their business, it was decided that the township will not proceed with vacating the road and will continue to maintain the road without replacing the guard rails. A follow up letter will be sent by the Solicitor to Durdach Brothers.

Fire Company Report George Wolfe gave a fire department report for the month of fire company calls in the month of September.

COG Supervisor Carl reported that the COG will receive a briefing concerning the Act 537 in November. The COG also had a briefing concerning road salt shortage. A salt shed was discussed and it will be reviewed again next year.

Ordinance Review Concerning Ordinance 1999-2 that sets the supervisor’s pay, Supervisor Carl stated he would like to change this ordinance to pay the Supervisors the state maximum allowed by law and to pay on a monthly basis instead of only when a Supervisor attends the monthly meeting. The current maximum for our population is $1,875.00 per year. The ordinance will not go into effect during each of the Supervisor’s terms but rather when they are reelected or a new person is elected. The ordinance will be drafted to reflect that it would be the current maximum allowed by the state.

Act 537

Concerning an invoice received from the Planning Commission for a review they did for Adams Park Road project, it was decided that Jim will look further into the matter. The board does not want to pay the invoice for something that the county needs to have done.

A letter from DEP was received concerning more issues that need to be resolved for Adams Park Road project. It will be reviewed for the next meeting.

Retirement Plan

Concerning a new retirement plan for the township employees a meeting with a new vendor was held and it was decided that a new plan would begin with Trollinger Consulting Group and will be effective this year. Each of the current full-time employees will receive $1,500.00 a year for three years. After three years the state will contribute to the pension usually around $3,000.00 per employee. Once the state is paying for the plan the employees will receive whatever the maximum contribution is refunded by the state for that year.

Supervisor Carl moved, seconded by Supervisor Rachau to start the contribution in 2008 at $1,500.00 per year and after three years the state will contribute. Motion was passed unanimously.

Letter from Ronald & Jean Schreffler

Concerning a water problem on the property of Ronald and Jean Schreffler, Supervisor Carl reported that the problem is resolved the road crew added some check dams were installed to slow down the water. Ken Young reviewed the area and determined that the township is not responsible for the problem and Penn DOT agreed with his assessment. A closing letter will be sent by the solicitor to the Schrefflers’.

Right to Know Policy

Solicitor Bathgate reported that the state Office of Open Records just opened and will soon have a website with regulations and once the regulations are made public, later this month, he can draft an ordinance. Old Skating Rink Secretary McKinney reported that several years ago there was a fire at the old skating rink on Route 61. By law the fire insurance company must give the municipality 10% of the insurance money to guarantee that the property is cleaned up. Mr. Robert Driver called the secretary to report that the property was cleaned up and sold and he then wanted his money. Ken Young was tasked to investigate on whether the property was sufficiently cleared. Mr. Young stated the property was not cleared and he suggested that Mr. Driver be contacted to clean it up or the township does it and charges him from the insurance money.

Tax Millage Modification

Discussion involved a tax millage modification, Supervisor Carl stated that if we increase our taxes ½ mill we would only get $12,000.00. He felt that not too many projects can get done with such a small amount. Supervisor Carl would like to gradually increase taxes over the next couple of years so that road improvements can be made. The visitors attending the meeting agreed that in order to raise taxes there must be some kind of reason to raise taxes because there is such a large balance in the township’s funds.

Planning Commission

The Northumberland County Planning Commission approved subdivisions for Todd & Cynthia Hockenbroch, Dail & Henrietta Williams and James & Karen Lahr.

Convention The convention will be held on Thursday October 23rd at the Sunbury Social Club. The supervisors are to let the secretary know if they are attending.

2009 Budget

Secretary McKinney presented the 2009 budget for review. At the next meeting it would be approved for advertising and adopted at the December meeting.

Wireless Site Development

A letter was received from Wireless Site Development concerning a zoning permit for installation of a T-Mobile antenna on an existing tower on Route 61. They are working with Light-Heigel for any required building permits and wanted a signed paper that there were no zoning permits required in the township. The secretary was granted approval to sign the form. Truck Bids

The following bids were received for the sale of the 1996 Ford F350 4x4 dump truck:

Kenneth Frieling, Hegins, PA $10,001.00 Dave Hepler, Lavelle, PA 5,000.00 Art Honeycut, Littlestown, PA 3,551.00 Carl Raker, Sunbury, PA 6,250.00 Rogers Auto Sales, Rogers OH 1,680.00 Strobecks Auto Sales, Yoe, PA 7,651.00 Greg, Clark, Pine Grove, PA 3,000.00 Jesse Graybill, Freeburg, PA 1,760.00 Bemisderfer’s Commercial Lawn Car, Greencaslte PA 2,352.00 G&A Construction, Coal Township, PA 6,150.00 Liberty Motors, Jersey City, NJ 3,333.99 John Reigel, Annville, PA 6,750.00 Kenneth Reppert, Hamburg, PA 8,888.00 Mike Veneziano, Bellefonte, PA 4,100.00 Brookside Landscaping, Shamokin, PA 7,100.00 Lenox Farms 6,109.00 Daniel Strausser, Sunbury, PA 5,525.75 Bob-Cats Auto Sales, Shamokin, PA 6,500.00

Supervisor Klinger moved, seconded by Supervisor Rachau to award the bid for the 1996 Ford F350 dump truck to Kenneth Frieling of Hegins as the high bidder with $10,001.00. Motion was passed unanimously.

Supervisor Carl moved, seconded by Supervisor Rachau that if the first awarded bidder does not purchase the truck it would then be offered to the second and third bidder with Kenneth Reppert at $8,888.00 and Strobecks Auto Sales at $7,651.00. Motion was passed unanimously.

Aluminum Furnace on Rose Road Supervisor Klinger presented an application that was submitted to DEP for a aluminum furnace to melt aluminum on Rose Road. The notice starts a 30 day comment period.

Supervisor Rachau moved, seconded by Supervisor Klinger to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. and to pay the invoices. Motion was passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephanie A. McKinney Secretary/Treasurer