Wayne Township Monthly Board Meeting

The Wayne Township Supervisors, 1418 Wampum Road, Ellwood City, PA 16117, held its monthly Supervisor Board Meeting, Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Under the direction of William Hepler, Supervisor, the meeting opened with the ‘”Pledge of Allegiance” and a “Moment of Silence”.  Other officers in attendance were Supervisors: Chairman, Charles Hutchison & Vice Chairman, Rick Weingartner; Township Solicitor, Ryan Long.  Secretary/Treasurer, Shari D. Baney.

Motion was made by Weingartner to Approve the July, 2016 Minutes. 2nd by Hepler. All in favor.

Public Input: 

Tootie Welsh – Repeating a question to Chairman Hutchison regarding Melinda Cappello as Township Manager, Hutchison said he already addressed that in a previous meeting.  Hutchison was advised by the Township Solicitor, Ryan Long, that he does not have to speak.

Addressing the two other supervisors, Welsh said it was their duty to be the oversight when a supervisor is out-of-control.  Her question to Supervisors Rick and Bill, per the State, were they going to enact a “code of ethics”/“code of conduct” and/or punishment?  Long said a misdemeanor would not quantify; maybe disorderly conduct or harassment would be the most serious.  Tark Kolch said when he is in his company vehicle, he is representing this company and if he would have conducted himself like that which was being charged, he would have been immediately dismissed.  Long said this is an allegation.

To clarify, on July 24th, according to the timesheet, Welsh asked Hutchison if he was working on Smiley Stop Rd and wanted to know on his way back, did he “middle finger salute” her again.   Hutchison denied that and said he would drive another way (i.e going up Jockey Moore Rd) to avoid going past Welsh’s house.

Hepler said the State already has a “Code of Conduct” and if Welsh has something, she needs to pursue that.

Cornell Jerome – Regarding a CDL booklet he had in-hand, Jerome wanted to know if the township and supervisors were operating correctly.  There were questions about the township employees having the proper CDL licenses to drive the equipment based on GVW.  Were they compliant.

 Lisa Czerpak wanted to know if Melinda had a CDL?  She was not licensed.  Czerpak said he should not be out there operating the skidsteer or excavator.

Brian Czerpak said the supervisors would be liable as they are her employer and they would be responsible should something happen.   She is not a legal driver and she is not allowed to drive that equipment. He also said we have a resolution stating all new employees must have a CDL. That resolution was rescinded.

Jerome said anybody can drive those 550 vehicles but the moment you connect those trailers, the gross vehicle weight, referencing a towmaster rated over 10,001 lb., you must have a Class A, CDL license.  Our trailers are over 10,000#.  Hutchison affirmed, “Anybody driving 10,000 must have a Class A, CDL license.  Roger cannot drive that either because he only has a Class B license”.  Hepler said maybe we need to get them licensed.

Tark Kolch –explained there are DOT restrictions about chaining-down equipment onto the trailers, such as 6 chains and binders.   Must be tagged & certified by DOT, as well.

Brian Czerpak – approached the Board with pictures of the Mt Hope Bridge.  He asked if the bridge was complete because there was no bar, jagged weld, still in primer/not painted, no bridge signs.  Asked about the $5,400 grant money and the township having $12,500 in the job. Czerpak’s question, “Was the job done?”   Hepler said it looked like it needed painted.

Jennifer Kriversey – is there an explanation for the ditch digging delay on Squaw Run Road since the water is pooling there?  Lisa Czerpak chided in saying a neighbor called her and said she almost had an accident there.  The response was, “It is just a country road and nobody wants ditches; they want to mow out to the road”.  Hutchison said, “They need to vote to get another Roadmaster.”  Audience applauded.

Hepler asked the Board if the township could get bids to get the ditches cleaned .  He asked Hutchison if he made a motion, would he 2nd it.  Hepler made a motion; Hutchison 2nd it.  All in favor.  Jerome wanted to know why we just couldn’t get it done in-house.  Hepler said, “A motion was made; it’s done”.  Tark wanted to know if we need to get specs, etc, to get the job done. Hepler said we will have specs & the township will advertise the job.  Tark reminded the township he volunteered his time and his daughter offered to do the job for free some time ago.

New Business:  Purchase of new telephones for the office from Staples — Motion by Hutchison, Weingartner 2nd  Motion carried.

Appointment of Kenneth Rodgers as SEO, primary sewage enforcement; Doug Duncan as alternate sewage enforcement officer.  No difference in prices.  They work out of Morrie Waltz’s office and they need to be in our territory.  Hutchison made a motion to approve the two appointments; 2nd by Weingartner.  All in favor.

$1,600.00 Annual Fire Department donations.  – Hutchison made a motion to approve the annual $1,600.00 Fire Departments donation; 2nd by Weingartner.  All in favor.

911 Application Forms – no action/informational.  If you need a new home address or subdivision address, you use the new forms sent to the township by the County.

PAWC Raw Water Facilities – re:  new water treatment plant coming in.  Meeting date,  August 10th  Planning Commission meeting. Copies submitted to Township Planning.

“Right To Know” request– Smart Procure based out of Florida wanting electronic information from the township from 2010 to current.  Long said he would draft a letter in response. No Board action.

Blighted Property Record.application.  The township put in for it last year, was not doing it this year. We put in for 11 homes and got 2 taken care of.

Complaint Forms from Kuntz – Hepler addressed the 1279 Squaw Run Rd resident and that resident will be taking care of the matter.  As far as the owners at 238 and the 1515 Squaw Run Rd, Hepler suggested letters be sent out along with the Ordinance advising the resident to clean up their property.  Motion by Hutchison, 2nd by Hepler.  All in favor.

Financial Report/Paying the Bills for the General Account, motion by Hutchison to approve; 2nd by Weingartner.  All in favor.  To pay the Bills from the Ledgers: B/E; Water, Light, & Liquid Fuels, motion by Hutchison; 2nd by Weingartner.  All in favor.

Notification:  Wampum Bridge replacement.  Public Meeting will be held August 9 @ 6:30 p.m.  This is to replace the RR Bridge.

Motion to Adjourn the Meeting made by Weingartner, 2nd by Hutchison.  All in favor.

1 Comment on "Wayne Township Monthly Board Meeting"

  1. when are weeds going to be cut on rt488 in burnstown, you cant even walk down side of road

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