The Parks Township Board of Supervisors
held their regular monthly meeting on March 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm in the
Community Building, 26 Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.
MEMBERS
PRESENT: Gregory Artman, Chairman Mary Ralston, Member (phone)
Scott
Kifer, Vice Chairman Jeanna
Cerra, Secretary - Treasurer
VISITORS: Julie Hill. Ken Lookabaugh, Jeff Retter, Corporal Thomas Dubovi, Mary Jo Knabb, Tracey Bier, Sherrie Polka,
Heidi Kifer, Cindy Reilly, Lisa Sikora, Fred Mitcheson, Rod Artman, Rich
Simpson, Jason Artman, David Frickanisce, Dawn Houser, Nate Houser, Katey
Shook, Brian Szitas, Tom Filo, Dina Filo O Neil, Gregg Smith, Ken Reynolds
OTHERS PRESENT: Chief
John Arce, Officer Kyle Lewis, Scott Andreassi, Solicitor
Mr. Artman called the meeting
to order at 7:00 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Copies
of the Agenda and Minutes were given to all attending and were posted along
with the Treasurer’s Report and Bill Payment List on the bulletin board for
review. Public comments will be
taken at the end of the meeting.
Mrs. Ralston made a motion to adopt the
Minutes from the February 13, 2023 regular meeting; Mr. Artman seconded it, and Mr. Kifer made
it unanimous.
Mr. Kifer made a motion to accept
the Treasurer's Report for February 2023, Mrs. Ralston seconded it, and Mr.
Artman made it unanimous. Receipts for February were $48,080.22 and
expenses were $48,782.17 leaving a total balance of $311,935.47 (General Fund –$38,853.79;
Capital Fund – $8917.65; State Fund - $132,645.38; Street Light Fund – $1285.59;
ARPA Fund $148,068.39 ). Ms. Cerra informed the Supervisors that the annual
audit was done, and she had copies if they would like to see it.
Mrs. Ralston made a motion to
approve the Bill Payment List for February 9-March 16, 2023 and Mr. Artman seconded it, and Mr. Kifer made it
unanimous. Each Supervisor stipulated
that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or any member of
his family.
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter
was sent from PSATS about the proposed By Law changes, a copy was given to Mr.
Kifer who would be the Townships voting delegate.
Reports of
the 2022 delinquent tax returns were sent from Tax Claim.
Armstrong
County also sent A Public Utility report.
A letter
from the Sewage Enforcement was sent to make townships aware of a newfound
company that is not taking over for the agency.
An email
was sent from Patrick Joyal (Gov. Shapiro’s Southwest Region Director) about
meeting with Supervisors. Ms. Ralston said anytime after April 4, 2023 is good.
Mrs.
Ralston said the ACATO Convention will be held May 17, 2023 and asked if the
supervisors would be willing to pay for the planning commission members to
attend because they are having a workshop that would benefit them. Mr. Kifer made a motion to pay for the
members to attend, Mr. Artman seconded it.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Report – Ms. Cerra read the
police report from February 1-28, 2023.
Maintenance Crew- The
crew has been patching holes and working on the grader. Mrs. Ralston made a
motion to have 2Krew upgrade the cameras at the Dime Building, Mr. Kifer
seconded it and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES-
Parks
Committee- The committee is asking for donations to purchase new picnic tables
at the parks. Summer lunch program is on hold again, hoping to have a couple
lunches over the summer for kids on our own.
Planning Commission- The commission
is working on the ordinance book and a draft ordinance concerning parking of
large trucks and boats on township streets.
Safety Committee – Had a Loss
Control audit and went over the findings from that.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Kifer
made a motion to adopt the CDL policy and meet with the CDL drivers and have
them go over it, Mr. Artman seconded it and Mrs. Ralston made it unanimous.
Mrs.
Ralston reported there was another meeting on the police regionalization and
there were some new municipalities joining in on the study. All paperwork
needed to be in by the end of March and the DCED study would start in April.
The
Supervisors looked over the draft ATV ordinance and tabled it until next
meeting.
A
preliminary plan was sent by Senate Engineering on the drainage project for
Kepple Hill Park. The secretary will
schedule a meeting with the engineer.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to accept the bond cancellation for Maple Road, Mr.
Artman seconded it and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.
Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to put a full-page ad in the program for Armstong County
Sports Hall of Fame for Parks Township inductee John Voyten, Mr. Artman
seconded it and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.
Mr.
Kifer made a motion to allow Morning Star Church to close a section of the road
in front of the church to have a
festival for Easter on April 1, 2023, rain date April 8. Mr. Atman seconded it and Mrs. Ralston made it
unanimous.
Mrs.
Ralston made a motion to accept the resignation from Tammy Crosby for Township
Auditor. Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous. The
supervisors added that they wanted to thank Tammy for her many years as being
an auditor for the township. Ms. Cerra said they need to appoint someone for
this open position.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms.
Polka asked if the supervisors could look at the water puddling on Custer St.
Mr. Artman said he would have the crew look at it. She also asked about the
noise ordinance in reference of Nikki’s. Corporal Dubovi said that is something
the LCB controls; the more you call the more they will document and
investigate.
Ms.
Biers asked what the resistance was with the supervisors in joining SARPD. Mr.
Artman replied that the supervisors had a few meetings with them and did not
receive anything in writing of costs. Mrs. Ralston said the supervisors opted
to do a DCED study which is free and would give the township a better idea of
exactly what was needed.
Mr.
Frickanese also discussed an incident where he needed a policeman and waited a
considerable amount of time to have the State Police arrive.
Corporal
Dubovi from Pennsylvania State Police presented some facts about the State
Police and the numbers that the Kittanning barracks have, he proceeded to
explain and tell the residents if they need police help to call 911 and they
will be sent.
Mr.
Szitas suggested an ordinance officer be hired in the township to enforce our
ordinances.
Mrs.
O’Neil asked about police departments traveling at high speeds from one
municipality to another. Corporal Dubovi said all complaints should go to the
DA’s office.
Mrs.
Knabb said between 2 and 4 pm employees from Cooks fly going into and out of
work. Corporal Dubovi said he would have someone look into that.
Ms.
Biers said the street signs on West 2nd` and West 4th on
Lincoln need switched.
Mr.
Artman said Oklahoma Borough contracts someone from Washington Township to
enforce their ordinances.
Mr.
Smith announced he was running for County Commissioner on the Republican ticket
and asked for support.
Mr.
Reynolds asked if we had heard about the grant for Maple Road yet. The
supervisors said they had not yet heard.
The secretary was unable to tell who was
asking due to the noise and the amount of people talking at once, someone asked
how many officers we have on duty and the schedule. The Township has 1 full
time and 3 part time officers, and the schedule varies.
Ms.
Reilly said she saw the signs along River Road and thought it was disgraceful.
Mr. Artman said unfortunately that was freedom of speech.
ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Monthly
Meeting will be held April 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, North
Vandergrift.
There being no further questions
or comments, Mr. Artman moved to adjourn at 8:26 pm; Mrs. Ralston seconded it,
and Mr. Kifer made it unanimous.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Jeanna Cerra
Secretary-Treasurer