Silver Lake Township

Regular Meeting Minutes
December 2, 2013

The Silver Lake Township Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, December 2,  2013 at the Silver Lake Township building.  Francis Fruehan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and opened with a salute to the Flag.

The minutes from the November regular 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.

Correspondence:  No Act 14 Notices received for new well pads, driveways or pipelines. 

Public Comment:  Vera Scroggins asked about a hazard notice on the bulletin board related to Longford Lake.  It was explained DEP sends in notices when new permits are filed.  Angel Kublo asked about a check written from the police fund for $500 to Automated Business Service.  It was explained they provide backup for the police computer.  John Demaree said with Julie Dantini not seeking reappointment to the Municipal Authority Board, he would like to see someone from Quaker Lake appointment and suggested Martha Steed or Bob Snyder.  Vera Scroggins asked why WPX was not working on well pads.

New Business:  Francis Fruehan  read the following Budget Resolutions related to Act 13 impact fees  and 2012, 2013 & 2014 budget items.  He explained the resolutions were named or renamed “Budget Resolution” to keep them separate from other Resolutions and easier to track.

Budget Resolution 2013-1 – Supplemental Appropriations for 2012 & 2013 Budget – Act 13 money received in 2012 (revises & replaces Resolution No. 2012-105)

Budget Resolution 2013-2 – Rename Res 2013-105 - Supplemental Appropriations for 2013 Budget – Act 13 money for Silver Lake community Park (adopted 6-3-2013)

Budget Resolution 2013-3 – Supplemental Appropriations for 2013 Budget – Act 13 money received in 2013 – includes $30,000 for the Fire Company & Rescue Squad, $10,000 for dust control and the remainder for the Capital Reserve Fund

Budget Resolution 2013-4 – Appropriations for 2014 Budget – Act 13 money expected to be received in 2014 – includes real estate tax reduction, dust control and Capital Reserve Fund

Angel Kublo asked why funds were going to the fire company when they received taxes from Silver Lake and Choconut.  John Demaree  also asked why the fire company would need additional funds when for the first time they are debt free and have money in the bank.  Francis Fruehan explained they will need to make equipment purchases in the future and funds from the Act 13 fees would help.  The Fire Company would put the money into a separate capital reserve account dedicated to the future purchase of a new ambulance or fire/emergency vehicle.  Vera Scroggins asked if the dust control was put on roads that had gas activity.  Evan Everitt explained it was used on various township roads and said any road the gas company was using, they supplied the dust control themselves.  Kim Fruehan asked if more money is received than anticipated, if the tax reduction would increase.  Francis Fruehan explained the information has to be provided to the county by the new year so tax bills can be printed and they cannot be changed.  Mr. Fruehan explained that the 2014 Act 13 revenue estimates used for the 2014 Budget were conservative, we won’t know actual amounts until later in the year.  John Demaree said he felt the township roads were in bad shape and any extra money should go into upgrading township roads.  Francis Fruehan said Act 13 funds can only be spent on state approved expenditures and road materials are an approved use.  Vera Scroggins asked if it was known how much was received from each well.  It was explained the Act 13 revenue varies based on gas price and age of well and are not just from wells within the township but also from neighboring townships. 

Motions to adopt the four Budget Resolutions were made by Francis Fruehan, seconded by Evan Everitt with all in favor, approved.

Francis Fruehan presented the proposed 2014 budget. Changes include transferring Equipment Fund millage to Building Fund, to pay building off in 3 to 4 years instead of 15 years.  Also a 0.32 mill Gen Fund increase offset by a 2.3 mill Act 13 funded reduction, yielding a 1.98 mill net decrease.  The proposed budget will be posted on the township website.  Francis Fruehan made a motion to advertise the budget and a special budget adoption meeting on Thursday, December 26 at 5:00 pm. ; and that the Reorganizational Meeting will be held on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 7:00 pm and will immediately be followed by the regular meeting,  Evan Everitt seconded, all approved. 

Francis Fruehan said there is a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for the police department.  Changes include – any fulltime officer with 6 or more years with the department will receive an extra five paid vacation days.  There are additional paid holidays which brings the total paid holidays to ten.  There will also be a $30 reimbursement for disability insurance.  Wage increase of 3.25% each year.  Full time officers also must live within ten miles of the township border.  New full time police officers will have a one-year probationary period.  Vera Scroggins asked if any new officers would be hired.  Francis Fruehan said if a new officer is hired, it would be brought up at a meeting.    Francis Fruehan made a motion to accept the new contract, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.

Francis Fruehan read the police report with 20 incidents for the month of November.  Vera Scroggins asked for the breakdown of the incidents for the month.  Francis Fruehan said the details would be in the newspaper. 

 Evan Everitt gave the road report.   Working on ditch maintenance and getting roads ready for winter.  equipment for winter.  The road crew has already been busy with snow.

Driveway Permits – None.  Road Crossing Permits – None.   Assessment Permits – None.  As there was no further business presented, Francis Fruehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Evan Everitt seconded, all approved.