Silver Lake Township

The Silver Lake Township Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, March  4, 2013 at the Silver Lake Township building.  Francis Fruehan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm opened with a salute to the  Flag.

The minutes from the Regular meeting were read and approved on a motion made by Francis Fruehan and seconded by Evan Everitt, all approved.  The Treasurer Report was read, approved and held for audit on a motion made by Francis Fruehan and seconded by Evan Everitt, all approved.

Correspondence:  No Act 14 Notices received

Public Comment:  Denise Rossi asked about a letter that was sent to the township from the Community Park Committee requesting a donation of $15,000 from the Act 13 funds.   Community park falls into the category of an allowable expense.  Vera Scroggins felt the donation should be made and John Demaree said the funds should be spent to repair/replace anything that impacts the township.  Tom Jurista asked if the community park would include any sports fields.  Mrs. Rossi said the land is located across from the fire station and is only half acre. Francis Fruehan said we are still learning about how the money should be spent.   John Demaree asked for an explanation regarding a legal bill that was read.  Francis Fruehan explained is was a labor question.  Tom Jurista asked about the geothermal heating system at Bridgewater Township.  Evan Everitt said he talked to Bridgewater township and was advised they use propane to heat their building – not a geothermal system.  Ken Barnes spoke and said it was his understanding there were questions at a prior meeting regarding training for the fire company related to gas activity in the area.  Mr. Barnes said the fire company receives training provided by the county, state as well as the gas companies.  This training is available to all fire departments.  Vera Scroggins said it did not seem DEP was conducting regular inspections at well sites and suggested people contact DEP whenever activity was taking place at a gas site.    

Francis Fruehan spoke regarding the Flood Plain Ordinance that is in the process of being updated.    New maps have been received and the updated ordinance will need to be adopted by April 2, 2013. The solicitor will advertise the ordinance in the Susquehanna County Independent.  Tentative special meeting set for April 1 at 6:30 pm and adopted during the regular meeting.  This ordinance has been worked on during the monthly work sessions.  The new flood plain maps are posted on the township web page.  Francis Fruehan spoke regarding a section referred to as “Free Board”.  It is suggesting raising the floor level an additional one and half  feet above base flood elevation for  any new addition that may fall in the flood plain area.  Mr. Fruehan asked for public input if it should be left as is or go ahead with the one and half elevation increase.  John Demaree said it seemed like it would be more of a headache to deal with the extra elevation.  General opinion was that it would be impractical. Francis Fruehan made a motion and Evan Everitt seconded that no Free Board would be included in the updated Flood Plain Ordinance, all approved.   Mr. Fruehan will contact the township solicitor and advise that there will be no additional freeboard footage.  DCED will have to approve the proposed updated ordinance.  If they have no changes, it then must be approved by FEMA.  If it is not approved, they will make suggestions as to changes they feel should be made.  Without this updated Flood Plain Ordinance, the state could withhold any state funds and possibly future Act 13 funds and residents would not be able to get flood plain insurance and in the event of a flood emergency, the township would not receive funding.  Silver Lake Township is considered a “B” level community.  Francis Fruehan made a motion to advertise the Flood Plain Ordinance, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.  Construction Permit Administrator will be adopted by resolution.

Evan Everitt talked about a rubber wheeled excavator that Town of Binghamton has for sale for $17,000.  It would be helpful for cleaning ditches on township roads.  There are 2,100 hours on it.  Could be purchased with State funds.  Evan Everitt made a motion to purchase the excavator, Francis Fruehan seconded, all approved. 

Francis Fruehan read Resolution 2013-101 – Susquehanna County Hazard Mitigation Plan.  This allows the township to piggyback with the county’s hazard mitigation plan.  Francis Fruehan made a motion to adopt Resolution 2013-101, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

Francis Fruehan read Resolution 2013-102 – Creation of Position of Police Administrator.  This is a revision of Resolution 2012-104.  Francis Fruehan made a motion to adopt Resolution 2013-102, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

Francis Fruehan talked about an updated Police Policies and Procedures Manual.  The manual was developed using a base Police Policy and Procedure Manual  provided by the Chief of Police Association and edited to fit the township’s Police Department.  Francis Fruehan made a motion to adopt Resolution 2013-103, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

Francis Fruehan read Resolution 2013-104 – Taser Policy.  Francis Fruehan made a motion to adopt the resolution Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.     

Chief Tim Burgh was not able to attend the meeting.  Francis Fruehan read the police report with 13 incidents for the month of February.Evan Everitt gave the road report.  Between snowstorms, a review of road materials and fuels that are used is being created for upcoming bidding.

Assessment Permits – None for the month of February.

Driveway Permits – None applied for or issued in the February.

Two copies of the Police Policies and Procedures Manual were signed.  This took approximately one-half hour.

Francis Fruehan made a motion to pay the bills as submitted, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

As there was no further business presented, Francis Fruehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Silver Lake Township
Special Meeting

The Silver Lake Township Supervisors held a Special Meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.  Francis Fruehan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and everyone saluted the Flag. 

Mr. Fruehan said the purpose of the meeting was to adopt the new Flood Plain Ordinance.  This will be Ordinance No. 49.  Mr. Fruehan summarized the ordinance which will become effective on April 2, 2013.  The new flood plain ordinance pertains to identified flood plain areas within the township.

A resident asked if the new ordinance would be posted on the website.  Mr. Fruehan said it would be posted.  The new flood plain maps are available on the state’s website for a fee.

Francis Fruehan made a motion to adopt the Flood Plain Ordinance No. 49, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

Francis Fruehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting.