CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Dennis Gdula called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 pm in the conference room of the Adams Township Municipal Building.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
ATTENDANCE:
Those in attendance were Supervisors Dennis Gdula, Dan Senft, Brian Schrader and Mark Bucci, Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer, Solicitor William Barbin, and thirteen (13) visitors.
Mr. Richards was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR AGENDA ITEMS AND PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
Mr. Gdula stated now the Public has the right and the opportunity to comment on any item from the previous meeting minutes. None were forthcoming.
MINUTES:
Mr. Gdula stated everyone had copies of the July 15,2024 regular meeting minutes. He asked all Board members to read the minutes. Mr. Gdula asked for a motion to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Bucci made the motion, second by Mr. Senft. With all in favor, motion passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
After discussion, Mr. Gdula stated the Treasurers Report was accepted as read. With all in favor, motion passed. The General Account Fund showed revenues received totaling $76,726.44, expenditures of $91,908.38(check # 33900 to #33942) and a balance of $871,864.32. The Street Light Account Fund showed revenues received of $0.00 and expenditures of $5,946.01(check #1705 to #1708) and a balance of $37,593.16. The Fire Protection and Fire Hydrant Fund showed revenues received for the hydrants of $0.00 and protection of $0.00 and expenditures of $41,519.37(check# 1408 to #1412) and a balance of $37,921.02. The State Liquid Fuels Account Fund showed revenues of $1,375.05 in interest, and expenditures of $0.00(check#–) leaving a balance of $381,662.82. The American Rescue Plan Account showed revenues of $1.39 in revenues in interest, and expenditures of $3,400.00(check#050 to #052) leaving a balance of $25,181.43.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion about CDBG project/funds. Mr. Bucci said after last meeting we were talking about a different project. Mr.Gdula said yes, we discussed about paving for Cottage Lane to Mr. Cummings; he said Mr.Senft and Mr. Schrader went and looked at it and it and said it didn’t warrant paving yet. Also, he said it doesn’t meet the specs for having a cul de sac and also would need to do income survey to qualify for project. He said since it doesn’t meet specifications then can’t be used for CDBG project there.
Mr. Gdula asked if the Board had any old business they would like to discuss. None was forthcoming.
NEW BUSINESS:
Payment of the Bills: Mr. Gdula stated all Board Members have a copy of the bills presented for payment totaling $72,284.31 and asked them to take a few minutes to review the bills before calling for a motion to approve payment of the bills. Mr. Bucci made the motion to pay all bills. Mr. Senft seconded this motion. With rest in favor, motion passed. The bills are as follows:
GENERALFUND: AdvancedOffice….74.86, Amtrust….10,079.00, AT&T….296.48, Bergeys….240.91, CambriaCountyBldgCodes…110.00, CernicsTowing….83.78, Cintas….85.84, Comcast….919.20, CrystalPure….70.80, EadsGrp….375.00, EmploymentPartnersBenefitsFund…21,924.50, FIHoff….350.00, FHMA….140.50, GleasonBarbin….1,325.31, Highland…78.66, Highmark…301.15, HRITrucking…1,00.00, HRI…..15,800.96, Keystone…16.23, LutherPMiller….4,413.29, Penelec….115.82, PAOneCall….9.74, PitneyBowesPurchase….200.00, RelianceStandard….945.15, RPMSigns…45.00, Sporys….240.00, StephensonEquip….798.00, 1stSummit…..7,022.00, TireShop…572.00, Trapuzzanos….848.40, UPMC…77.60, USCleaning…745.00, Verizon….160.04, VISA…..1,159.97, WBMason…175.64, WindberStone….169.85.
TheStateLiquidFuelsFund: None.
TheStreetLightAccountFund: Penelec…213.63.
The Fire Hydrant and Protection Fund: None.
The American Rescue Plan Account Fund: Lane….1,100.00.
Discussion about website compliance and possible motion to get a quote/s for upgrade. Solicitor Barbin says the township received a call from a company that asked if website is ADA compliant. He said the Federal gov’t is saying government website should be ADA compliant; meaning someone who has a disability such as if you are deaf or blind; they hit a button, and it becomes accessible to them; either reads or whatever they need according to their disability. Solicitor Barbin said we have two options either get some quotes to upgrade website and make compliant or shut down site. Mr. Bucci asked if there was timeline to have this done by. Solicitor Barbin said no said right now this mostly for governments about website compliance; said he would get the quotes to upgrade and go from there. Mr.Gdula asked for a motion for Secretary to get quotes to upgrade/maintain website and make ADA compliant. Mr. Schrader made the motion, second by Mr. Senft. With all in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC GENERAL COMMENT PERIOD:
Mrs. McNeal ,Mr.Bencie, and other neighbors of Clairwood development here about their drainage/paving road. Mrs. McNeal said last meeting they were here about road paving; did Mr.Gdula call engineer to find out about grant. Mr.Gdula said yes, he did; engineer said we did not get big grant for the stormwater. Mrs. McNeal asked about process for paving project; Mr.Gdula said our part in process is we contact our PennDOT municipal rep about what project we want to do; and then in spring he comes and goes to site with roadmaster; the PennDOT rep looks at not drainage so much; but blacktop material what should be used; cuts for driveways, curbing. and comes up with how much material needs to be used and a cost estimate and then we put it out to bid to pave. Mr.Gdula mentioned he and Dan are trying to figure out if there is some way to drain water; said we don’t water to all drain same direction all at once. Mrs. Baker spoke up and asked when this would be done with the drainage; that since she down from Centennial on Old Bedford would drain down to pipe by her property; Mr.Gdula said spring is when they would look at drainage in Clairwood development to see what could be done; and that as he just mentioned we do not want to concentrate water and have it drain all at one time. Mrs. McNeal asked if companies that do paving are certified? Mr.Gdula said yes; and we have worked with most of the local ones on projects ( Grannas Bros. ,HRI,Quaker Sales). Solicitor Barbin spoke up and said yes they do ; the PennDOT rep acts like a project engineer when he works up those things for paving project; and there are so many paving requirements that PennDOT requires for monies used from state liquid fuels fund and mentioned that the PennDOT rep comes and inspects at the end of project to make sure it was done properly to those requirements/specs before the township pays them. Mr.Bencie said about township accounts and balances; mentioned some accounts not getting high interest rate mentioned one getting only 1.30 a month.; said look at getting better return or yields so can save for projects. Mr.Gdula said that our general fund working accounts or ones that we use all the time for bills or for example payroll which is around 70,000 a month; we can’t tie those up in case we need them for any unexpected expenses. Short discussion occurred where Mr.Gdula said that we have already started getting better returns or rates within the last year with some of the other accounts after looking into getting those better rates or returns.
Mr. Jack Cummings here with neighbors about drainage ditch near his rental property on Water Ave; said they were there and drained/cleaned ditch but left some mud and other debris. Mr.Senft said they left that to build up bank so when water comes yards would not be flooded; another neighbor was saying about somewhere where there is a puddle; what Mr.Senft said is a soft spot. Mr. Gdula said that Mr.Senft would be down to look at things and see what can be done.
Mr.Bencie said he had a question; have we heard anything or any reports about screws in people’s tires or driving over screws. Mr.Gdula said yes; at the intersection of Forest Hills Drive and Rt 160 that a truck must have had a load of screws and spilled them. He said the Fire Dept, police and township road department were all there picking up screws. Mr.Bencie and other neighbor said they had one in their tires but someone else had about 9-10; Mr.Gdula said when road department was there one of their trucks got a screw in their tire as well; don’t know what direction truck went in after that; could have gone down Centennial or any of the other directions.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Gdula stated with no other township business to conduct he would entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bucci made the motion, second by Mr. Senft. With all in favor, motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 5:25pm.
Respectfully Submitted:
Jennifer Zakraysek, Secretary-Treasurer