MINUTES of MEETING
Durham Township Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 05, 2009
Township Building Meeting Room
2009 REORGANIZATION MEETING
Present: Supervisors: Bartley E. Millett
Richard M. Johnson
Manfred Marschewski
Secretary: Joseph M. Kulick
Zoning Officer: Peter W. Bent
Not Present:
Solicitor: Peter N. Harrison
Road Master: James Laubach
Meeting called to order by Township Supervisor Bartley E. Millett at 7:32 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
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 Johnson seconded the motion and Supervisor Marschewski 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 was appointed as Member, Board of Supervisors.
The Chairman asked for nominations for the position of Treasurer. Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to reappoint the Vice Chairman as Township Treasurer; the Chairman seconded the motion. A vote of the Board was taken and all Members agreed. Richard Johnson accepted the position as Treasurer, Durham Township.
The Chairman nominated Joseph M. Kulick to continue as the Township Manager/Secretary; the Vice Chairman seconded the motion and Member Manfred Marschewski agreed. A vote of the Board was taken and all Members agreed.
2009 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. One (1) additional holiday granted.
*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.
The Vice Chairman proposed that the township pay 80% (which is presently $6147.26 per year) of the township managers’ medical insurance with the employee contributing the remaining 20% ($1536.82 per year) via payroll deduction. The additional benefit would be retroactive to January 01, 2009. (An 80% refund of $2,049.08 would be paid to employee since he has already paid coverage through 04-30-2009)
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 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 7 hours per week. Holidays: 0 Vacation: 0 Personal: 0 Retirement: $0. The motion was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice 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 Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. All were in Favor. Motion passed.
The amount of the Treasurers Bond was established at $300,000 to cover Richard Johnson. A motion was made by Member Manfred Marschewski to accept the above, seconded by Chairman Bartley Millett and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. All were in Favor. Motion passed.
The amount of the Secretary Bond was established at $50,000 to cover 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 Chairman to accept the above appointment and fee. It was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice 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 2009, Member Manfred Marschewski seconded the motion and the Vice Chairman agreed. All were in favor. Motion passed.
2009 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. One (1) additional holiday was added.
*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 2009 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. One (1) additional holiday added.
**Vacation time must be taken during (calendar) year or they will be paid at end of (calendar) year and may not be accrued. Vacation time is granted after one (1) full year of service in the position.
Snow Removal / Salting Rates for 2009:
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 will be manned by two (2) personnel during severe conditions while plowing/salting. The Road Master or Township Manager may use discretion during fair weather.
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 the Vice Chairman to approve the above rates and policies, and seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, the Chairman agreed. All were in Favor. Motion passed.
A motion was made by the Chairman to change the “anniversary year” calculation for benefit qualification to a “calendar year” period as recommended by the township auditors. All employees receiving paid vacation and/or personal/sick days will have their time earned computed on a calendar year effective January 01, 2009. The Vice Chairman seconded the motion and Member Manfred Marschewski agreed. Motion passed.
The Board set the Outside Contractor rate for Equipment & Operator at $85.00 per hour. A motion was made by the Vice Chairman to approve above rate, and seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski; the Chairman agreed. All were in Favor. Motion passed.
The Board approved $.50 per mile for Use of Personal Vehicle for Approved Township Business on a motion by the Vice Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and approved by the 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 Member Manfred Marschewski to approve, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by the Chairman. Motion passed.
Appointment of Supervisors as General Laborers for the Township, to be compensated per the previously approved 2009 Labor/Snow Removal Rate Schedule, by job performed. The Chairman made a motion to approve, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski. 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 Cindy Skoriak and appointed Lois Oleksa to the Planning Commission, both for four (4) year terms to 12-31-2012. The Board thanked Don Ratushny for his years of dedicated service. A motion to approve above appointments and terms was made by the Vice Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Chairman. Motion passed.
The Board reappointed Lois Oleksa to the Environmental Advisory Council, for a three (3) year term to 12-31-2011. The Vice Chairman made a motion to approve the above reappointment and term, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Chairman. Motion passed.
M&M Inspection Service was reappointed as the Township Building Inspection firm on a motion by the Vice Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski 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 the Vice Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, 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 David Oleksa & Rudi von Watzdorf (alternate) to three (3) year terms ending 12-31-2011; on a motion made by Member Manfred Marschewski, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by the Chairman. Motion passed.
Peter Thomson was reappointed Vacancy Board Chairman for a one (1) year term on a motion by the Vice Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Chairman. Motion passed.
The Board decided to maintain the same schedule for 2009 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 the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski. Motion passed.
Since no one was available to attend the PA State Association of Township Officials (PSATS) annual convention in April 2009, the Board did not delegate anyone on a motion by the Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. Motion passed.
The personnel attending the annual Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO) Annual Convention on Saturday, February 21, 2009 will be determined at a later date.
The Durham Township Fee Schedule for 2009 will be reviewed at a later meeting as required. The fees in effect at present will continue until amended otherwise. The Chairman requested that any input for changes be provided to Joe Kulick ASAP. All agreed.
The Durham Township Real Estate Tax Millage was maintained at .825 mills for tax year 2009 on a motion by the Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. Motion passed.
A motion to retain the Palisades School District Office (EITO) to collect the 1% Earned Income Tax was made by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice Chairman and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski. 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 the Vice Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman. Motion passed.
The board unanimously agreed that all of the above pay and tax rates will become effective on January 1, 2009
Comments/Questions from the floor...
Resident Fran Chavar once again suggested the incorporation of road markings (lines) on township roads. The Board thanked everyone for their assistance and cooperation in 2008. There were no further comments or questions.
The Chairman then made a Motion to Close the 2009 Reorganization Meeting, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski. Motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 PM.
Minutes submitted by: Joseph M. Kulick, Township Manager/Secretary