Ligonier Township Supervisors

Regular Meeting

October 11, 2016

The Ligonier Township Supervisors met in regular session at 7 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance opening the

meeting. Secretary Bruce Robinson took roll call. Present were D. Scott Matson; Bruce Robinson; and Gary

Thistlethwaite; Chairman, Wade Thomas; and Vice Chairman Paul Knupp

Public Comment - None

A motion was made by Paul Knupp and seconded by Gary Thistlethwaite to approve the minutes

of the September 27, 2016 meeting. Motion carried

Supervisor Comments

Paul Knupp – Commented that the bridge dedication was very nice and thanked all involved.

Staff Report

Manager’s Report – Terry Carcella reported that the Berkley Road repair is estimated for the base at

$3,2000.00 and 8/10 mile needs paved as well total estimate at $60,000.00. Mentioned about the

Heartland payroll demo and price quote comparison with a savings and will need to discuss further

before next meeting. Gasboy fuel system issue and pricing to upgrade to a newer system, pricing sheets

in packets. Ad for a part-time Police Officer due to staffing.

A motion was made by Paul Knupp and seconded by Gary Thistlethwaite to approve

advertisement for a Part-time Police Officer. Motion carried.

Police Report – Chief Matrunics reported amount driven and total hours are down due to no Aggressive

Driving this month. The Aggressive Driving will be starting back up October 24, 2016 and we have

been approved for the Buckle-Up program grant.

Police Activity Report

September 2016

The following is an accumulative report of all the incidents and arrests handled by the members

of the Ligonier Township Police Department.

Administrative Report

Totals Description

5404 Miles driven

953.75 Street Hours worked

0 reimbursable hours DUI Task Force/Aggressive driving

22 Court hearings

8 Days training/k-9/Penn Prime/Internet

Trace Evidence

1

9

0

0

1

Comp. days

Vacation days

Sick days

Personal Days

Holidays Pays

2 Public Relations

14 reimbursable hours Task Force hours

387 Total Calls

Calls for service/incidents/ arrests

Totals Description Totals Description

15 Criminal

Complaints

7 Criminal Arrests

8 Vehicle code

violations/citations

0 Admin. duties

3 Vehicle Accidents

Non-Reportable

9

0

Reportable Vehicle Accident

Fatality

3 Assist other agency 10 Fire alarms

2

1

Fires

Arson

18 Patrol check

1 Criminal mischief 4 Harassments

0 Harassments by

communication

2 Information calls

12 Suspicious activity 0 Child Endangerment

2 Check on welfare 1 Hazardous condition

0

Access Device

Fraud

Attempted

0

0

Underage drinking compl

Underage drinking violations

0 Medical emergency 0 Bomb threat

0

0

0

Disorderly conduct

Noise compl.’s

Disturbances

0

0

0

Disabled vehicles

Motorist Assist

Abandoned Vehicle

1 Custody disputes 9 Burglar alarms

1 Police services 1 Theft by unlawful

taking/deception/services

0

3

Wires down

Trees down

1 Finger printings

0 911 hang up call 5 Domestic dist.

2

2

0

0

Animal control

Dogs at Large

License violation

Barking dog

1 Act 64 / Drug Possession

2 Follow up invest. 1 Civil problem

0

0

0

Code 49

Attempted suicide

Suicide

0

0

A.T.V compl’s

A.T.V violation

1 302

Patient/commitment

0

0

Evidence to lab

Evidence pick-up

1 Vehicle Code

warnings/compl’s

0 Equipment malfunction and

repair

3 Traffic

control/details

43 Miscellaneous

2 I.D. Theft 2 PFA Violations

1 Terroristic threats 5 D.U.I.

0 Neighbor Disputes 2 Validation investigation

0 Corruption Of

Minors

1 Attempted Burglary

2 Burglary

1 Simple Assault 2 Hit and Run

0 Escort 0 Trespass

0 Reckless

Endangerment

0 Lost/Recovered/Returned/stolen

Property

2 Shots Fired 0 Parking Compl.

0 Highway

obstruction/flooded

roadway

0 Receiving stolen property

1

1

Code 40 (DOA)

Overdose

0 Bad Checks

0 R.E.P.O. 1 Vehicle Theft

0 Open Door 0 Resisting Arrest

0 Twp. Ordinance

Violation/illegal

dumping/burning

0

2

Missing Persons

Attempt to Locate

1

False Report to law

Enforcement

1 Unauthorized use of Motor

Vehicle

0 Wrong way vehicle

RT 30

1 Child lines

0 Juvenile Runaway 1 Warrant service

1 Assist New

Florence PD

0 Assist Public Works

0 Assist Idlewild DPS 2 Keys Locked Into Vehicle

1 Assist Pa. State

police

2 Assist Latrobe PD

3 Assist Borough PD 0 Assist Loyalhanna PD

0 Assist EMS 0 Assist Derry Borough PD

1 Aggravated Assault 1 Public Drunk

The following is the K-9 report that was submitted to be added to this report.

1. Monitored students entering R.K. Mellon Elementary School.

2. Conducted 3 separate Patrol Checks for the Middle School and High School

3. 4 training days

4. 2 Demonstrations for Organizations

5. 2 Vehicle searches in Ligonier Township resulting in one arrest for heroin paraphernalia

The dedication of the bridge would like to thank all involved as it went well and he has received a lot of

positive comments

Public Works Report – Russ Morgan provided update on Zion Church Road Bridge Project, bridge

installed October 11, 2016 in about a five-hour timeframe and weather permitting to pour concrete on

Monday, October 17, 2016 with that setting for seven-day period then black top to follow. Terry

reported that he estimates we saved about $800,000 with both bridges doing it internally.

Engineer’s Report- Below is Dorothy’s report on Clifford Woods Road Bridge quote for just the

Hydraulics and not the bridge itself for other materials:

A Motion was made Paul Knupp and seconded by Wade Thomas to approve the quote for

Clifford Woods Road Bridge Hydraulic of $15,535.00. Motion carried with Scott Matson voting

Nay

Dorothy also reported on update for the MS4 Waiver that DEP has not submitted list of municipalities to

EPA yet and we are at the point that we need to proceed with filling for the MS4 Waiver at a fee of

$500.

Solicitor’s Report – Did not attend the Planning Commission meeting, but finalizing their

recommendations for next month’s meeting and then move onto the property maintenance code. Need

to address for next year and place in the budget for the creation of a Township Sub Development and

Land Ordinance. It is the same process as the Zoning Ordinance with hearings etc., but not as costly.

Zoning/Code Enforcement Report – Richard Bell report:

Total Income from (20) Lien Letter Requests - $500.00

Building Permits Issued Income

2 $929.65

Peddler Permits Issued

1 $ 80.00

Sewage Permits

3 $750.00

Zoning Permits

4 $152.50

Sign Permits

4 $ 25.00

Road Occupancy Permits

1 $ 80.00

Total Income Generated $ 2,517.15

My office has received several complaints regarding blighted/abandoned

properties. Planning Commission is working on renovating existing

nuisance/property maintenance ordinance.

My office handled two (2) missing animal reports.

Planning Commission

Planning Commission met on September 26, 2016. Minutes are located on the back

table for anyone wishing a copy.

Discussed the Comprehensive Plan and the nuisance/property maintenance

ordinance.

Zoning Hearing Board

There was no Zoning Hearing Board in September due to a lack of agenda.

On October 25, 2016 at 7 PM at Ligonier Town Hall in the Borough will be the first meeting for the

Comprehensive Plan all Public is encouraged to attend.

Correspondence - None

Treasurer’s Report-Terry Carcella stated that the General Fund account balance is $653,345.02 the Act 13

account balance is $72,884.49, the K-9 account balance is $48,424.13, the Liquid Fuels account balance is

$101,842.13 the Developer’s account balance is $13,546.00, Liquid Fuels Investment Account is $9,869.38, the

Equipment Fund $23,570.98, and the Capital Reserve CD’s $417,884.55 for a total of $1,341,366.68. No action

required.

A motion was made by Paul Knupp and seconded by Gary Thistlethwaite to approve the bill payments

of October 10 and 11, 2016 bill payment lists. Motion carried with a Roll Call vote and Scott Matson

and Bruce Robinson voting Nay

Old Business – None

New Business

A motion was made by Paul Knupp and seconded by Bruce Robinson to renewal of EDMC Contract for

HR services without fee increase $4,000 annual $333.00 month. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Bruce Robinson and seconded by Gary Thistlethwaite to approve Resolution 17-

2016 Road and Street Tree Policy. Motion carried, with Scott Matson voting Nay

Coal Loaders made a request to temporary close Myers School Road for strip mining activity in 2017, below is

information on the matter.

Terry Carcella

From: Mark Klonicke <MarkKlonicke@unionvalecoal.com>

Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2016 10:40 AM

To: Terry Carcella

Subject: Myers School Road T-954 Temporary Closure & Variance Request and

Peoples Road T-719 and Myers School Road Variance Request.

Attachments: Exhibit I.JPG,• Exhibit A.JPG

Dear Mr. Carcella,

Coal Loaders, Inc. (CLI) has applied for a surface mine permit on the Seward Prosser Mellon and Old Colony

Sportsmen Association property adjacent to Peoples Road & Myers School Road in Ligonier Township. In

order to fully recover the remaining coal reserves and reclaim abandoned underground and surface mines on the

properties and under township roads, Coal Loaders would like to make the following requests.

1. CLI would like to request a Temporary Road Closure of Myers School Road T-954 between the

Barriers shown on the attached Exhibit 1. We would also like to request to remove and reconstruct the road in two 750' long sections as shown on the same exhibit as well as request to affect within 100' of

the road as shown in the remaining variance areas.

The road closure is requested for a time period of two years once all permits and approvals are secured

and mining begins.

2. CLI would like to request to affect within 100' of Peoples Road T-719 and Myers School Road T-954

as shown on the attached Exhibit A. A safety barrier will be constructed along the township roads

where necessary to protect the traveling public. Atypical drawing of the safety barrier, which consists

of a 6' high earthen berm, will be submitted to you upon request.

All signage necessary for the above requests will be provided & installed by Coal Loaders as per Township

instruction.

Please contact me at your convenience if you have any questions or need any additional

information.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Mark Klonicke P.G.

Engineering Manager

Coal Loaders, Inc.

Laurel Sand & Stone,

Inc. Unionvale Coal

Company 210 East Main

St.

Ligonier, PA 15658

724-640-6791 - cell

724-238-6601 Ext. 127 - Phone

724-238-4585 - Fax

Resident Bob McDowell stated he is not opposed, but 40,000 cars per year travel this road and this would be too

much of an inconvenience with the road being closed for two years, enough a year is. Coal Loaders request to

closed Myers-School Road for strip mining activity in 2017 was tabled to November 8, 2016 meeting after

heavy discussion.

A motion was made by Paul Knupp and seconded by Bruce Robinson to approve Administrative

Assistant, Laurel Ross Year Review of a $1.00/Hr. increase. Motion carried with a Roll Call vote and

Scott Matson and Gary Thistlethwaite voting Nay.

Supervisors Comments

Supervisor Scott Matson – Have three or so years left in term and he will not be voting on any more raises

for township employees through the rest of his term.

Supervisor Paul Knupp – Mentioned about past Supervisor, Jim Harr’s passing.

Supervisor Bruce Robinson – No Comment.

Supervisor Gary Thistlethwaite – No Comment.

Supervisor Wade Thomas – Stated that he and Bruce Robinson will go over budget and that he has stated

before about doing payroll in-house. Informed all that a resident was very happy with the road crew and he

wanted to let Public Works Foreman, Russ Morgan aware of that and thanked him.

A motion was made by Paul Knupp and seconded by Gary Thistlethwaite to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM.

Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Roxanne Shadron

Assistant Secretary/Treasurer