March Minutes

Western Cumberland Council of Governments

Regular Monthly Meeting

Minutes of March 14, 2011

West Pennsboro Township Building

President Steve Oldt called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. with a moment of silent meditation and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bob Shively, Deputy Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management for Cumberland County, reviewed the four-page 2010 Annual Report with the membership and answered questions.

The minutes of February 14, 2011 meeting were approved on a Heine/Fegley motion which carried.

The February 28, 2011 bank balances were as follows: Checking $5,809.10, Savings $3,080.39 and Regional Code MMA $52,548.29. The February UCC building permit fee commission totaled $370.00. West Pennsboro Township earned $296.00 for building permit administration and the WCCOG earned $74.00. The February Treasurer’s Report and the March Bill List of $4,113.24 were submitted and approved on a Fegley/Reeder motion which carried.

It was brought to our attention that the Capital Region COG (CRCOG) has received a much better price on road salt than we have by bidding as a COG or through COSTARS. The CRCOG contract has no obligation to purchase the salt and no maximum. Their contract is for over 22,000 tons compared to our 1450 ton contract. The CRGOG has been contacted and asked to consider allowing the WCCOG to join in their bid. Our request will be considered at their next meeting. A motion was made by Dave Parthemore to pass on the COSTARS contract and to bid with the Capital Region COG or, if they do not permit us to enter into their contract, to bid the salt contract ourselves.

Resolution 2011-1, proposing changing the annual release date for the State liquid fuels tax allotment to municipalities from April 1^st to March 1^st, was adopted on a Heine/Fegley motion which carried. It will be signed and sent to local legislators and PSATS. Kathryn Beaty was in attendance on behalf of Representative Bloom.

Senator Vance is co-sponsoring SB 237 which passed the Senate on March 1^st. This bill eliminates the current State Police fines unless the municipality has 40 hours of local or regional police coverage. Steve Oldt suggested members contact Senator Vance to let her know of their opposition to this legislation. Ms. Beaty reported a bill proposing an increase to bidding thresholds has been reintroduced and the public notice modernization act has not yet been reintroduced. HB 350 is meant to ensure municipalities only charge actual costs for inspections and enforcement of the State mandated Uniform Construction Code. HB 377 has passed the House and now goes before the Senate. This bill exempts single-family and two-family homes from the sprinkler system requirement which became effective at the beginning of 2011. Ms. Beaty said the 2010 sprinkler amendment has resulted in a decrease in new home construction. We are watching for reintroduction of legislation proposing a per capita charge for municipalities relying solely on State Police protection. Steve Oldt recommended members individually email their legislators with their positions on these bills as well.

Commissioner Rick Rovegno presented the County Report. The County saved $1.46 million since 2006 through the Guaranteed Energy Savings Program. The Commissioner pointed out there is no National Transportation Plan that sets goals for surface transportation infrastructure. He presented information provided by the U.S. General Accountability Office on this topic. Mr. Heine will communicate the WCCOG’s concerns to U.S. Rep. Todd Platts on the wear on local infrastructure as a result of heavier truck traffic being proposed.

Jeff Kelly said the County Planning Department’s energy ordinance workshop series begins April 7^th at 10 a.m. at the Conservation District office. The group will begin by reviewing solar energy ordinance language. In May they will cover wind energy and in June they will discuss outdoor furnaces. The County Planning Department is sponsoring a Planning Commission University (PCU) in April, May and June. This series of classes costs $5 per person and reviews the role of planning commission members.

Bob Shively said the Three Mile Island biennial federally evaluated exercise will take place Tuesday, April 12. The exercise will include a new component that provides animal shelters for pets.

Municipalities may apply for up to 75% reimbursement for drafting stormwater management ordinances that comply with the County’s ordinance. Applications are available on DEP’s website and are due by March 31^st.

Solicitor McKnight suggested the WCCOG invite all seven candidates for county commissioner to the address the WCCOG. Each candidate could have five minutes to introduce themselves and address the Council. The members decided to host the candidates at the April meeting. All municipal supervisors and councilpersons are encouraged to attend.

North Newton – Only one road was closed for flooding during the recent rainfall. The township is still exploring an intergovernmental agreement with Newville for a police contract with the Newville Police Department. The municipal building has encountered stormwater issues on the proposed site. There are plans to erect a 3-bay pole building at the 8 Red Shed Road facility. Dave Parthemore thanked Commissioner Rovegno for his attendance at the WCCOG meetings and his work with the interstate planning.

Lower Frankford – Clean up and general maintenance is scheduled for April 2^nd at Opossum Lake. Twelve inch augers are needed for construction of a fence as well as volunteer labor. Mort Fegley welcomed participation by anyone interested.

Dickinson – Emergency repairs were performed on the Cold Spring culvert to prevent washout. Bids will soon be sent out for replacement of the culvert this summer. The PSATS resolution committee has approved the resolutions that will be presented at this year’s convention. Members will be receiving the list of resolutions soon. Dickinson Township is implementing a single hauler trash/recycling contract. The hauler will be responsible for billing and collection.

Newville – The borough tax collector resigned due to health reasons. The borough has entered into a reciprocal agreement with West Pennsboro Township to cover the need.

West Pennsboro – Cornerstone Bank and Sheetz both have plans to establish businesses in the township.

South Newton – Dave Durff asked questions concerning the Dickinson Township single hauler trash/recycling contract. Others shared their experience with single hauler contracts.

Penn – Ken Sheaffer said Penn has implemented an aggressive program of proper pruning techniques which resulted in less frequent pruning and stronger trees. The new Lebo bridge replacement in Huntsdale did not flood as its capacity was increased 25%. Culvert replacement work will be performed this summer. The township is in the process of making some commercial zoning changes to their ordinance.

Shippensburg Township - The township was not affected by flooding this spring. The mowing season will begin soon. The street sweeper was sold to a Pittsburgh municipality through advertising in The Township News.

Census information is being distributed. It’s not yet clear what effects Governor Corbett’s proposed budget will have on local government. Ms. Beaty said there is a link to the governor’s proposed budget from Rep. Bloom’s website. Visit www.repbloom.com and use the link to The Governor’s Dashboard.

The WCCOG received a letter from Rep. Bloom thanking us for the summary of our positions on proposed legislation.

On a Parthemore/Sangialosi motion four LTAP classes will be planned for 2011 toward the goal of certification through the Roads Scholar Program. The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:34 p.m. on a Fegley/Parthemore motion, which carried.

March Meeting Minutes

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Copyright © 2008 Western Cumberland Council of Government
Last modified: 04/26/11

March Meeting Minutes

Send mail to admin@wccog.us with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2008 Western Cumberland Council of Government Last modified: 04/26/11

Send mail to admin@wccog.us with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 Western Cumberland Council of Government
Last modified: 04/26/11