The Parks Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on August 18,2025   at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, 26 Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.

 MEMBERS PRESENT:  Gregory Artman, Chairman                                   Scott Kifer, Member absent    

 Mary Ralston, Vice Chairman                                Jeanna Cerra, Secretary - Treasurer                                                              

VISITORS:          Jeff Retter, Brian Couslin, Evelyn Couslin, Cindy Shilling, Jen Geist, Lauren Clark, Jay Start, Rich Simpson, Cindy Reilly, Ken Reynolds, Paul Duriancik, Michael Hildreth (Precision Geophysical)   

OTHERS PRESENT:      Chief Francis Willison, Stephen Nymick (Engineer)

 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. 

One bid was received for the Massey Ferguson from KRK Lawncare for $1001.00. Mr. Artman made a motion to accept it and Mrs. Ralston made it unanimous.

Because of an issue with the RFP for the Police Pension Fund finances process Mrs. Ralston made a motion to readvertise at a later date, Mr. Artman seconded it.  

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to adopt the Minutes from July 21, 2025, regular meeting; Mr. Artman seconded it.               

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report for July 2025 Mr. Artman seconded it. Receipts for July were $35,897.64 and expenses were $80,689.08 leaving a total balance of $539,597.50 (General Fund –$117,973.96; Capital Fund – $228,167.86; State Fund - $176,297.33; Street Light Fund –$17,158.35)

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to approve the Bill Payment List for July 17-August 14, 2025; Mr. Artman seconded it. Each Supervisor stipulated that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or any member of his family.

 CORRESPONDENCE

A letter from DEP was sent about West Nile Virus and asking to adopt a standing water ordinance or be diligent in enforcing if we already have one.

Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority sent a rate resolution.

 STAFF REPORTS

Police Report – Chief Willison read the police report for July 1-31, 2025

 Maintenance Crew- The crew has been on Willow patching. Berming on Hickory getting ready for the grant and berming Sportsman.

 TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES-

Parks Committee still need to put mulch in when the crew has time.

Planning Commission- The commission is working on the outdoor furnace ordinance and organizing records at the building.

OLD BUSINESS

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to sign the easement request from People’s Gas for the Dime Building, Mr. Artman seconded it.

Terry Bowser will be starting at Hickory soon, so the crew will need to get the pipes in and everything is ready for him to start.

The grant for Locust will be sent in with the county for Multimodal Grant for PennDOT.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to cancel this year’s clean-up day due to pricing increases. The township is looking for an alternative in the spring. Mr. Artman seconded it.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Nymick said the DEP has everything for the emergency permit for Chestnut Bridge as soon as they issue the permit the township may start the work to replace the bridge. He also said he will be applying for an LSA Grant for Oak and Willow Bridges and the bridge at the Dime Building will be separate. Mr. Artman made a motion to apply for the grants for all three bridges and Mrs. Ralston seconded it. Mr. Artman made a motion to use an in quick culvert for Willow and Oak bridges and Mrs. Ralston seconded it. Mrs. Ralston made a motion to also do an in quick for the Dime Building, Mr. Artman seconded it.

Mr. Artman made a motion to grant access to Precision Geographic along with a signed maintenance agreement to do seismic testing. Mrs. Ralston said they will only be on Garver’s Ferry, Laurel, Locust, Oak, Slate Point, Ridge and Maple.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to proceed with the inter agreement for ATV permits with Gilpin and Bethel.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion for the secretary to shop around for a new credit card and to get the best interest possible. Mr. Artman seconded it.

 PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Geist said the crew patched Surrey Lane but said the culvert needed to be cleaned out.

Mr. Reynolds said Maple Road is bad.

Mr. Duriancik said the crew did not do the maintenance on Kepple Avenue well.

Mr. Couslin said he cut the yard at the old school and wanted to know if it was OK. The crew needs to cut the ROW. He also said they put the tree from the park on his property.

Mr. Simpson was happy that the weeds were cut, and the railing painted yellow on Terrace Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT

 The next Regular Monthly Meeting will be held on September 15, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, North Vandergrift.

There being no further questions or comments, Mr. Artman moved to adjourn at 8:05 pm; Mrs. Ralston seconded it.    

 Respectfully Submitted,

 Jeanna Cerra