Durham Township
Minutes of the Reorganization Supervisors’ Meeting
Tuesday, January 03, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
At the Durham Township Meeting Room
Present: Supervisors: Bartley E. Millett, Former Chairman
Richard
M. Johnson, Former Vice Chairman
Manfred
Marschewski, Member
Secretary: Joseph M. Kulick
Not Present
Solicitor: Not
Present
Road Master: Not
Present
Zoning Officer: Not Present
Meeting called to order by
Township Supervisor Bartley E. Millett at 7:35 PM. All in attendance stood and recited the
Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Township Supervisor Bartley
E. Millett recognized newly re-elected Township Supervisor Richard M. Johnson
who read the Loyalty Oath aloud.
Secretary Joseph Kulick advised the Board that he did receive the notarized
copy of the Oath from Supervisor Johnson.
Township Supervisor Richard
M. Johnson nominated Bartley E. Millett as Temporary Chairman, Supervisor
Marschewski seconded the motion and Supervisor Millett accepted the
position.
The Acting Chairman asked for
nominations for the position of Chairman
of the Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Richard M. Johnson nominated Bartley E. Millett for the
position of Chairman; Supervisor Manfred Marschewski 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 Manfred
Marschewski was appointed as Member,
Board of Supervisors.
The position of Township Treasurer was discussed by the
Board. The Vice Chairman questioned when
the newly appointed Township Secretary’s probation period would expire. Joe Kulick responded as of January 16, 2006. The Vice Chairman suggested that the Township
not appoint a probationary employee to the Treasurers position, and if
nominated, he would continue to serve as the Township Treasurer. Member Manfred Marschewski made a motion to
appoint the Vice Chairman as Township Treasurer; the Chairman seconded the
motion. All were in Favor.
The Chairman nominated Joseph
M. Kulick to continue as the Township
Secretary; the Vice Chairman seconded the motion and Member Manfred
Marschewski agreed. All were in Favor.
Rate per hour: $22.00
($2.00 increase to help employee cover medical insurance costs) Effective
01-16-2006
Paid: Holidays: 6* Vacation: 5** Personal: 3** …After one (1) year of
employment (10-17-2006).
Retirement: After five (5) years of employment. All based on 8 hours per day of
service.
*Holidays: New Years Day,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
** Must be taken during
anniversary year or they will be paid at end of anniversary year. They 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.
The Chairman made a motion to
retain Elaine Gawronski as the part time Township
Bookkeeper at an hourly rate of $25.00 per hour. A discussion by the Board regarding the
amount of hours per week for the bookkeeper was held. The Vice Chairman felt that the hours should
be reduced, after the conversion of the accounting system to the computerized
system, to one day per month. Mrs. Gawronski did not agree with the assessment
and felt that it would require approximately 12 hours a week. The Vice Chairman explained that Joe Kulick
was hired to assume the day-to-day bookkeeping duties and that Mrs. Gawronski
would be called-in to help as-needed for special events, meetings, Etc. The
Chairman suggested that Mrs. Gawronski would work 12 hours per week or less and
immediately commence the training of Joe Kulick in her bookkeeping system. The Vice Chairman agreed the work must get
done in a reasonable amount of hours per week, but did not want to establish a
set amount of hours.
The final conclusion of the
Board was that for the immediate future Mrs. Gawronski will work a reasonable
amount of hours per week and commence the training of Joe Kulick in the townships’
accounting system. Original motion by
the Chairman was seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the
Vice Chairman. All were in Favor.
The Board selected Peter N.
Harrison to continue as the Township
Solicitor. Mr. Harrison’s fee per
hour for Township Matters will be $ 140.00 per hour and for
Litigation/Subdivision/Escrow Accounts will be $ 170.00 per hour. A motion was made by the Chairman to accept
the above appointment and fees. It was
seconded by the Vice Chairman and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski. All were in favor.
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.
The amount of the Treasurers Bond was established at $300,000
per year. Personnel to be covered will be Richard Johnson & Joseph
Kulick. A motion was made by Member
Manfred Marschewski to accept the above, seconded by the Vice Chairman and
agreed to by the Chairman. All were in
Favor. (See Minutes of 01-10-06 Meeting)
The Board noted that Patty
Salva was re-elected Township Tax Collector at a $1400.00 annual
compensation rate.
The Chairman made a motion to
maintain Mease Engineering as the Township
Engineer. It was seconded by Member
Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. All were in Favor.
A motion to retain the
Palisades School District Office (EITO) to collect the 1% Earned Income Tax was made by the Chairman, seconded by Member
Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice Chairman. All were in Favor.
A motion to retain the Bucks
County Recorder of Deeds to collect the
Real Estate Transfer Tax at a commission of ½ of 1% was made by the
Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Vice
Chairman. All were in Favor.
The Chairman made a motion to
permanently appoint Jim Laubach as the Township
Road Master for 2006 at the rate of $21.00 per hour. Paid:
Holidays: 6* Vacation: 5** Personal: 3** …After one (1) year of
employment as Road Master (11-30-06).
Retirement: After five (5) years
of employment. All based on 4
hours per day of service.
*Holidays: New Years Day,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
** Must be taken during
anniversary year or they will be paid at end of anniversary year. They 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 appointment, rate, and benefit information; and
seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski.
The Vice Chairman agreed. All
were in Favor.
The Board reviewed the General Labor Rates. It was agreed to maintain the present rates
for 2006:
First Year/Season: $10.50 per hour. After One (1) Year/Season: $13.00. After Two (2) Years/Seasons: $13.50.
A motion to approve the above
rates was made by the Vice Chairman, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and
agreed to by the Chairman. All were in
Favor. (See Minutes of 01-10-06 Meeting Changing Labor Rates)
Snow Removal / Salting Rates for 2006 will remain the same as last year:
CDL Drivers & Riders
Operating the 2002 GMC: $21.00 per hour.
Regular Drivers / Riders all
other vehicles: $20.00 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
may use discretion during fair weather.
A motion to approve the above rates was made by the Vice Chairman,
seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski and agreed to by the Chairman. All were in Favor.
The Board set the Outside Contractor rate for Equipment &
Operator at $75.00 per hour. A motion was made by the Chairman to
approve above rate, and seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski. The Vice Chairman agreed. All were in Favor.
The Board reviewed and set
the Paid Holiday Policy for all General
& Snow Removal Labor Personnel:
Temporary Summer Personnel: Receive four
(4) hours pay for Memorial Day, Independence Day, & Labor Day, after one
(1) full season of employment. Employee
must work the day before and the day after to receive any holiday pay.
Year Round Personnel: Receive four
(4) hours pay for New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day, & Christmas Day, after one (1) full year of
employment. Employee must work, or be on
approved paid leave, the day before and the day after to receive any holiday
pay.
A motion was made by the
Chairman to approve above policy, and seconded by the Vice Chairman, and Member
Manfred Marschewski agreed. All were in
Favor.
The Board approved $.40
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.
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 Vice Chairman
to approve, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the
Chairman.
Appointment of Supervisors as General Laborers for the Township, to be compensated per the
previously approved 2006 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.
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 the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member
Manfred Marschewski.
The Board appointed Ken Klein
to the Planning Commission for a
four (4) year term to 12-31-2009. Letter
of Acceptance to be issued to Mr. Klein.
George Helwig & Gerald Ulmer were reappointed to 12-31-2006, Jim
Pavlica to 12-31-07, Don Ratushny to 12-31-08, Jim Herrmann to 12-31-07, and
Cindy Skoriak to 12-31-08. A motion to
approve above appointment and terms was made by the Chairman, seconded by the
Vive Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.
The Township Park &
Recreation Board was discussed. The
Board was not aware of any present active membership. Secretary Joe Kulick was instructed by the Board
to contact former members and attempt to revitalize the committee. The Chairman made a motion to reappoint Frido
Buschman, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred
Marschewski.
A motion was made by the
Chairman to reappoint the present members of the Durham EAC pending verification and their approval, seconded by
Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.
Peter Bent was reappointed Township Zoning Officer at his present
rate of $23.00 per hour on a motion by the Chairman, seconded Member
Manfred Marschewski, and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.
On the Township Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) a motion was made by the
Chairman to reappoint David Oleksa to a three (3) year term ending 12-31-2008,
seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred
Marschewski. The Chairman also noted
that according to the MPC a Township employee (Ken Hager) may not be a member
of the ZHB and must decide on which position to retain. Also, Wallace Frank (present at meeting)
noted that he must then resign his position as Vacancy Board Chairman, since a
ZHB member may not hold any other Township position, which he did. The rate of $75.00 per hearing, per
member will be retained for 2006. The
Chairman made a motion to approve the above rate and appoint Rudolph
VonWalsdorf as ZHB Alternate, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and approved by
Member Manfred Marschewski.
The Board noted that the
selection of a Zoning Hearing Board
Solicitor must be made by the Zoning Hearing Board. The question was raised if the ZHB must have
an official meeting to select the Solicitor.
The Board instructed Joe Kulick to contact the Township Solicitor for
guidance and report back to the ZHB.
The appointment of a Vacancy Board Chairman was discussed. In lieu of the resignation of Wallace Frank
there exists a vacancy. The Chairman
made a motion to appoint Peter Thomson to the position, seconded by the Vice
Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.
The Chairman advised the
Board that the elected Auditor
Carole Ulmer refused, in writing, the position so the Board must appoint
someone until the next Municipal Election.
The Chairman made a motion to appoint Laura Kressman to the Township
Auditor position until 12-31-2007, seconded by the Vice Chairman, and agreed to
by Member Manfred Marschewski.
The Board decided to maintain
the same schedule for Business Meetings
of the Durham Township Board of Supervisors.
They will meet on the second Tuesday of every month, at 7:30 PM in the
Township Meeting Room, unless advertised otherwise.
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 advertised otherwise.
The Durham Township EAC will meet
on the third Tuesday of every month, on an as-needed basis, at 7:30 PM in the
Township Meeting Room.
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.
The Board delegated the
Township Secretary Joe Kulick as the voting delegate to the State Association
of Township Officials (PSATS) on a motion by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice
Chairman, and agreed to by Member Manfred Marschewski.
The personnel attending the
annual Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO) Annual Convention
on Saturday, February 18, 2006 will be Richard M. Johnson, Manfred Marschewski,
Joe Kulick, Elaine Gawronski, and perhaps the Township Solicitor, Township Engineer,
Township Auditors, and the Township Tax Collector if interested.
The Durham Township Fee
Schedule for 2006 will be reviewed at a later meeting if required. The fees in effect at present will continue
unless amended later.
There were no comments or questions
from the floor.
The Chairman made a motion to
close the 2006 Reorganization Meeting, seconded by Member Manfred Marschewski,
and agreed to by the Vice Chairman.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30
PM.
_______________________ ______________________ ______________________
CHAIRMAN VICE
CHAIRMAN MEMBER