MINUTES of MEETING

Durham Township Board of Supervisors

Monday, January 04, 2010

Township Building Meeting Room

2010 REORGANIZATION MEETING

Present: Supervisors:       Bartley E. Millett

                                             Richard M. Johnson

Manfred Marschewski

Secretary:           Joseph M. Kulick

Not Present:

Solicitor:            Peter N. Harrison

Road Master:     James Laubach

Zoning Officer:  Peter W. Bent

Meeting called to order by Township Supervisor Bartley E. Millett at 7:38 PM.  All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

Township Supervisor Bartley E. Millett noted that Supervisor Manfred Marschewski has been re-elected for a six (6) year term as a Supervisor for Durham Township. His term will expire on December 31, 2015.  Sworn Oath of Office received and Certificate of Election presented.

Township Supervisor Bartley E. Millett noted that Patty Salva has been re-elected for a four (4) year term as Tax Collector for Durham Township. Her term will expire on December 31, 2013.  Sworn Oath of Office received and Certificate of Election presented earlier.

Township Supervisor Bartley E. Millett nominated Richard M. Johnson as Temporary Chairman, Supervisor Marschewski seconded the motion and Supervisor Johnson accepted the position. 

Township Supervisor Millett nominated Joe Kulick as Temporary Secretary; Supervisor Marschewski seconded the motion and Supervisor Johnson agreed. Joe Kulick accepted the position. 

The Temporary Chairman asked for nominations for the position of Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.  Supervisor Manfred Marschewski nominated Bartley E. Millett for the position of Chairman; Supervisor Richard M. Johnson seconded the motion.  A vote of the Board was taken and all Members agreed.  Supervisor Bartley E. Millett accepted the position of Chairman, Durham Township Board of Supervisors.

The Chairman asked for nominations for the position of Vice Chairman.  Supervisor Manfred Marschewski nominated Supervisor Richard M. Johnson for the position of Vice Chairman; Chairman Bartley E. Millett seconded the motion.  A vote of the Board was taken and all Members agreed.  Supervisor Richard Johnson accepted the position of Vice Chairman, Durham Township Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Manfred Marschewski as Member, Board of Supervisors.

The Chairman nominated Richard Johnson for the position of Treasurer.  Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion.  A vote of the Board was taken and all Members agreed.  Richard Johnson accepted the position as Treasurer, Durham Township. 

Member Manfred Marschewski nominated Joseph M. Kulick to continue as the Township Manager/Secretary; the Vice Chairman seconded the motion and the Chairman agreed.  Joe Kulick accepted the position.

2010 Township Manager/Secretary: Rate remains at: $25.00 per hour at 08 hours per day 40 hours per week. 

Paid:   Holidays: 07*    Vacation: 05**   Personal: 05**      Retirement: $0    Based on 08 hours per day / 40 hours per week of service.  (Medical benefit plan to continue as in 2009)

*Holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, & Christmas Day.

** Must be taken during calendar year or they will be paid at end of calendar year; it may not be accrued.

Employee must work, or be on approved paid leave, the day before and the day after the holiday to be paid.

A motion was made by the Vice Chairman to approve the entire above rate and benefit structure; and seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski.  The Chairman agreed.  All were in Favor. Motion passed.

The Chairman declared the vacancy of one (1) Township Auditor position. This is due to no one running, nor were there any write-ins, for the opening in the 2009 election. The township, after properly posting the opening on the township bulletin board and web site, is in receipt of one (1) letter from resident Sam Devol requesting the board to consider his appointment to the open position.  Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to accept the application of Sam Devol and appoint him as Township Auditor, term expiring 12-31-2011.  The Vice Chairman seconded the motion and the Chairman agreed.  Motion passed.  The board noted the auditors’ rate of pay as $10.00 per hour as established by state code.

The Vice Chairman made a motion to retain Elaine Gawronski as the part time Township Bookkeeper at an hourly rate of $25.00 per hour, at an estimated 4.6 hours per week. Holidays: 0   Vacation: 0   Personal: 0    Retirement: $0. The motion was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman.  Motion passed.

Selection of Depositories:  First Savings Bank of Perkasie & PA Local Government Investment Trust (PLGIT) were selected for the deposit of Township funds on a motion by the Member Manfred Marschewski, seconded by Vice Chairman and agreed to by the Chairman.  All were in Favor. Motion passed.

The amount of the Treasurers Bond was established at $300,000 to cover Treasurer Richard Johnson.  A motion was made by the Vice Chairman to accept the above, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by Chairman Bartley Millett.  All were in Favor. Motion passed.

The amount of the Secretary Bond was established at $50,000 to cover Secretary Joseph Kulick.  A motion was made by the Vice Chairman to accept the above, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman.  All were in favor.  Motion passed.

The Board selected Peter N. Harrison to continue as the Township Solicitor.      Mr. Harrison’s fee will be $170.00 per hour for all matters.  A motion was made by the Vice Chairman to accept the above appointment and fee.  It was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman.   Motion passed.

The Chairman made a motion to maintain Mease Engineering as the Township Engineer at the rate of $95.00 per hour.  It was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.  Motion passed.

The Chairman made a motion to reappoint Jim Laubach as the Township Road Master for 2010, Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and the Vice Chairman agreed.  All were in favor.  Motion passed.

2010 Road Master Rate: remains at $23.00 per hour at 04 hours per day 20+ hours per week. 

Paid:   Holidays: 07*    Vacation: 05**   Personal: 05**      Retirement: $0    Based on 04 hours per day / 20 hours per week of service.

*Holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving & Christmas Day.

** Must be taken during calendar year or they will be paid at end of calendar year and may not be accrued.

Employee must work, or be on approved paid leave, the day before and the day after the holiday to be paid.

A motion was made by the Chairman to approve above rate and benefit information; and seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, the Vice Chairman agreed.  All were in Favor. Motion passed.

The Board reviewed the 2010 General Labor Rates:

First Year/Season:  $9.00 per hour.  Thereafter: $11.00 per hour.  Joe Chavar only: $14.50 per hour.

Assistant Road Master (year round):  remains at $14.50 per hour at 04 hours per day 20+ hours per week.   

Paid:   Holidays: 07    Vacation: 05**   Personal: 00      Retirement: $0    Based on 04 hours per day / 20 hours per week of service. 

**Vacation time must be taken during calendar year or they will be lost. Vacation time is granted after one (1) full year of service in the position.

Snow Removal / Salting Rates for 2010:

CDL Drivers & Riders Operating the 2002 GMC: $21.00 per hour. 

Regular Drivers / Riders all other vehicles: Present employees: $20.00 per hour (Including loaders).

                                                                           Hired after 01-01-2009: $17.50 per hour (Including loaders)

It was noted by the Board that all vehicles may be manned by two (2) personnel during severe conditions while plowing/salting.  The Road Master or Township Manager may use their discretion in this matter. 

Recycling /Clean-up Day Rate will be $16.00 per hour except Road Master will be paid at their normal rate.

The Board reviewed and set the Paid Holiday Policy for all General & Snow Removal Labor Personnel:

All road department employees will receive four (4) hours pay for New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, & Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving & Christmas Day after one (1) full season/year of employment.  Employee must work the day before and the day after to receive any holiday pay.

A motion was made by Member Manfred Marschewski to approve the above rates and policies, and seconded by the Vice Chairman, the Chairman agreed.  All were in Favor. Motion passed.

The Board set the Outside Contractor rate for Equipment & Operator at $85.00 per hour. A motion was made by Member Manfred Marschewski to approve above rate, and seconded by the Vice Chairman; the Chairman agreed.  All were in Favor.  Motion passed.

The Board approved $.50 per mile (IRS Rate) for Use of Personal Vehicle for Approved Township Business on a motion by the Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and approved by the Vice Chairman.  All were in Favor.  Motion passed.

The Supervisors requested the Township Auditors to approve the following Rates for the Supervisors performing Township duties:

General Operations (Road Inspection, Court Hearings, Etc.): $15.00 per hour, per Supervisor.

Motion made by the Chairman to approve, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.  Motion passed.

Appointment of Supervisors as General Laborers for the Township, to be compensated per the previously approved 2010 Labor/Snow Removal Rate Schedule, by job performed.  The Chairman made a motion to approve, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. Motion passed.

The Board agreed to receive a rate of $90.00 per meeting, per Supervisor, not to exceed $1875.00 per Supervisor, per year, to attend Township Meetings.  The Chairman made a motion to approve the rate, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.  Motion passed.

The Board reappointed Ken Klein to the Planning Commission for a four (4) year term to expire 12-31-2013.  A motion to approve the above appointment and term was made by the Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.  Motion passed.

The Chairman noted one (1) opening exists on the townships’ Park & Recreation Board.  No applications have been received. 

The Board reappointed Kathleen Connelly to the Environmental Advisory Council, for a three (3) year term to 12-31-2012.  Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to approve the above reappointment and term, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by the Chairman.  Motion passed.

M&M Inspection Service was reappointed as the Township Building Inspection firm on a motion by Member Manfred Marschewski, seconded by the Vice Chairman and agreed to by the Chairman.  Motion passed.

Peter Bent was reappointed Township Zoning Officer at his present rate of $23.00 per hour on a motion by Member Manfred Marschewski, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by the Chairman.  Motion passed.

The Township Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) rate was maintained at $75.00 per appeal, per member and to reappoint Ken Hager to a three (3) year term ending 12-31-2012; to appoint Alternate Rudi von Watzdorf to fill the regular unexpired term of deceased Wallace Frank ending 12-31-2010; and to appoint Robert Bordeaux to the unexpired term of Alternate ending on 12-31-2011, on a motion made by Member Manfred Marschewski, seconded by the Chairman, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.  Motion passed.

Peter Thomson was reappointed Vacancy Board Chairman for a one (1) year term on a motion by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.  Motion passed.

The Board decided to maintain the same schedule for 2010 Business Meetings of the Durham Township Board of Supervisors.  They will meet on the second Tuesday of every month unless changed by the supervisors and properly advertised.

The Durham Township Planning Commission will meet on the first Tuesday of every month on an as-needed basis at 7:30 PM in the Township Meeting Room, unless properly advertised otherwise.

The Durham Township EAC will meet quarterly on the third Tuesday of January, April, July, and October, on an as-needed basis, at 7:30 PM in the Township Meeting Room.

The Durham Township Park & Recreation Board will meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month, on an as-needed basis, at 7:30 PM in the Township Meeting Room.

Township Manager/Secretary Joe Kulick advised the Board that all meetings have been properly advertised per Public Notice legal requirements in the Intelligencer.

The Chairman made a motion to retain all of the above meeting dates, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.  Motion passed.

Since no one was available to attend the PA State Association of Township Officials (PSATS) annual convention in April 2010, the Board did not delegate anyone.

The personnel attending the annual Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO) Annual Convention on Saturday, February 20, 2010 will be determined at a later date.

The Durham Township Fee Schedule for 2010 will be reviewed at a later meeting as required.  The fees in effect at present will continue until amended otherwise.    All agreed.

The Durham Township Real Estate Tax Millage was established at 2.00 mills total for tax year 2010, per Resolution 2009-4, on a motion by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.  Motion passed.

A motion to retain the Palisades School District Office (EITO) to collect the 1% Earned Income Tax was made by Member Manfred Marschewski, seconded by the Chairman and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.  Motion passed.

A motion to retain the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds to collect the 1% Real Estate Transfer Tax at a commission of 2% of taxes collected was made by Member Manfred Marschewski, seconded by the Vice Chairman and agreed to by the Chairman.  Motion passed.

The board unanimously agreed that all of the above pay and tax rates are effective on January 1, 2010

Comments/Questions from the floor...

Resident Joe Chavar asked if the 2% RE Transfer Tax collection fee is taken off the total or just the townships’ .5%.  It is taken off the total 1%.   There were no further comments or questions.

The Chairman then made a Motion to Close the 2010 Reorganization Meeting, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski. Motion passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 PM.

Minutes submitted by:  Joseph M. Kulick, Township Manager/Secretary

Minutes APPROVED at 01-12-2010 Meeting