Silver Lake Township

Regular Meeting Minutes
July 1 2013

The Silver Lake Township Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 1, 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 June regular meeting and Special meeting were read and approved on a motion made by Evan Everitt and seconded by Francis Fruehan, all approved.  The Treasurer Report was read, approved and held for audit on a motion made by Evan Everitt and seconded by Francis Fruehan, all approved.

Correspondence:  No Act 14 Notices received

Public Comment:  Craig Stevens spoke regarding an article that was in the Times-Shamrock newspaper regarding proposed forced pooling legislation from the state.  If passed, gas could be extracted from your property even if there is no lease agreement.  George Buffum spoke regarding a request at the June meeting from Fire Chief for funds from the Act 13 monies for the purchase of eight airpack.  While Mr. Buffum has been a member of the Fire Company for many years, he said it is the first time since is formation that the Fire Company has been debt free and has a large sum of money in the bank.  Some of the funds will be used at the Barrel of Bucks fundraiser there will still be a considerable amount of money left.  He felt the Fire Company budget should be made available to all tax payers not just members since a large portion of their income is from Silver Lake and Choconut taxpayers.  A donation to the Community Park was fair since they have very limited funds available to them.  John Demaree asked why a donation would even be considered to the Fire Company since they have three major sources of funding available to them – tax revenue from Silver Lake Township, Choconut Township and Barrel of Bucks fundraiser.  Mr. Demaree suggested putting extra money into township – something that everyone in the township will be able to use.  Money should also be set aside for the future.  John Demaree asked if it was know how much will be received in July.  Francis Fruehan explained it all depended on the number of wells in the area – not just the wells in Silver Lake Township but also in neighboring townships.  You could receive up to half of the budget.  Evan Everitt said being next to New York State hurts our township.  If wells are gradually added, the funds received will be stretched out and will last longer.  Francis Fruehan said it is expected Silver Lake Township will received approximately $250,000 of Act 13 money and will have to pass a Budget Appropriations Resolution .  Amounts appropriated for the funds will be included in the resolution.

Francis Fruehan spoke regarding the supplemental appropriations for  Act 13 funds. Silver Lake Community Park had requested $5,000 for  the purchase of playground mulch.   Francis Fruehan read Resolution No. 2013-105 to appropriate $5,000 of Act 13 funds to  purchase of three tractor/trailer loads of playground mulch for the Silver Lake Community Park located at the Silver Lake Fire Company Field Grounds.  Mr. Fruehan made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2013-105, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.  This purchase will be reflected as Account No. 454.00 in the 2013 Current/Amended Budget.

Evan Everitt spoke regarding the Farmall Super M tractor.  The starter housing is broken.  Parts are getting hard to find.   He would like to put it on Auctions International.  Parts to repair it are on order.  It would be fixed before it is advertised for bid.   Francis Fruehan made a motion to advertise the tractor on Auctions International, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved. 

Francis Fruehan made a motion to table the resolution regarding the purchase of dust control from the Act 13 funds, that had been discussed at last meeting, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.  John Demaree asked why the dust control purchase was tabled.  Mr. Fruehan explained he had not completed the resolution. 

Francis Fruehan spoke regarding the Firemen’s Workers Compensation.  Our insurance agent has provided the township with three Firemen Class Code workers compensation options.  The State Workmen’s Insurance Fund (SWIF) for a cost of $8,960.  This policy is only for the Fire Company.  The township employees will be covered by EMC for a cost of $13,051 for a total worker’s comp package of $22,011.  There was another carrier that was $900 less but it was not A-Rated and  it was not known if they would offer the coverage next year.  The other option was an A-Rated company but it was $1,300 more.  The first installment is $4,545.  Francis Fruehan made a motion to approve State Workmen’s Insurance Fund and EMC and to send in the first installment payment, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

Firework permit applications received – Joe Brady at Quaker Lake for the weekends of July 4, 12, 19 and 26.  Paul Miranda at Laurel Lake for July 4.  Homeowner policies received.Francis Fruehan made a motion to approve the permits, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

Francis Fruehan read the police report with 32 incidents, including  11 traffic stops for the month of June.

Evan Everitt gave the road report.  Regular road maintenance is being down.  Waiting to see if the township is awarded a Dirt/Gravel Road Project.  John Demaree asked about paving some of the township roads.  Evan Everitt explained it is more costly to maintain a paved road than a dirt/gravel road.  The gas companies have been very helpful in helping to maintain the roads they use.

Francis Fruehan said the Supervisors met in Executive Session on June 7 from 4:45 pm to 5:00 pm to discuss collective bargaining with the township’s labor attorney and from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm for collective bargaining negotiations with the labor attorney, the Silver Lake Township Police Association and its attorney, and gain from 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm with the township’s labor attorney to discuss collective bargaining.

Assessment Permits – one to Steve and Sue English for an accessory structure on SR 167.
Driveway permits – None
Road-crossing permits - None 

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