BOS Reorganization Minutes

Ken Hoover nominated Ken Bechtel to serve as Chairman for 2011. Gary Shultz seconded the nomination. The vote carried 5:0, and Gary Shultz turned the meeting over to Chairman Bechtel.

Chairman Bechtel nominated Gary Shultz to serve as Vice Chairman for 2011. Ken Hoover seconded the motion and the vote carried 5:0.

Gary Shultz motioned to appoint Shanemarie Ferguson as Secretary-Treasurer for 2011, approved 5:0. Her compensation package was also approved 5:0: annual salary of $34,360 ($25K Secretary/$9,360 Treasurer), hours 9AM-3PM Monday-Friday, two weeks and one day paid time off, no medical or dental benefits.

Gary Shultz motioned to approve bonding for the Secretary-Treasurer position in the amount of $500,000. Linda Stopfel seconded and the vote carried 5:0.

Ken Bechtel motioned to appoint Shanemarie Ferguson as the Township's Open Records Officer. Ken Hoover seconded and the vote carried 5:0.

Gary Shultz motioned to appoint Dale Shoop as Township Roadmaster, approved 5:0. His compensation package was also approved 5:0: annual salary of $49,776, five weeks paid vacation, $3,500 net retirement bonus, township vehicle, and township-paid health benefits including vision and dental coverage for employee and spouse (approximately $79/month).

Gary Shultz motioned to appoint Raymond Maus as Road Crewman, approved 5:0. His compensation package includes an annual salary of $35,000, five weeks paid vacation, $2,500 net retirement bonus, township vehicle, and health benefits including maximum $1,300 annual deductible reimbursement and Medicare Part B premium reimbursement. Gary Shultz noted the change in health benefit provider reduced Township costs while maintaining the same coverage.

Gary Shultz motioned to approve part-time laborers/drivers hourly rates: $12/hour with CDL and $11/hour without CDL. Ken Hoover seconded and the vote carried 5:0.

Ken Hoover motioned to approve bi-weekly pay periods for employees (payday on the Wednesday following end of pay period) and monthly pay periods for Supervisors (payday on the last payday of the month). The vote carried 5:0.

Gary Shultz motioned to approve paid holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day (floating), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and one personal day at employee's discretion. The vote carried 5:0.

Ken Hoover motioned to reappoint Bruce Warshawsky as Township Solicitor. Linda Stopfel noted that local attorney Kevin Helm submitted a proposal at significantly lower cost and urged the board to consider it. Gary Shultz and Chairman Bechtel expressed satisfaction with Warshawsky's performance; Bechtel raised concerns about Helm's potential client conflicts and lack of municipal solicitor experience. The reappointment carried 3:2 with Linda Stopfel and Carol Eppley opposed. Warshawsky's hourly Fee Schedule Option B (rather than a retainer) was approved 4:1 with Stopfel opposed.

Gary Shultz motioned to reappoint Kurowski & Wilson (K&W) as Township Engineer, approved 5:0. Chairman Bechtel noted no changes to the fee schedule from the prior year, and K&W's 2011 fee schedule was approved 5:0.

Ken Hoover nominated Michael Brown to continue as the Township's SEO, approved 5:0. Chairman Bechtel noted Brown's hourly rate increased from $85/hour to $90/hour. After discussion, Linda Stopfel motioned to approve the fee schedule as presented and the vote carried 5:0.

Ken Hoover nominated Justin Kuhn of K&W to serve as the Township's Alternate SEO. The vote to reappoint Kuhn carried 5:0.

Chairman Bechtel noted the elected auditors agreed to perform the annual township audit. For the annual fire audit, Deborah Meyers was appointed as the Township's auditor at $10/hour (approved 5:0), and Melinda Warfel was appointed as the Township's representative at $10/hour (approved 5:0).

Gary Shultz initially nominated Paul Clugston, but discussion about his health raised concerns. Ken Hoover nominated Loretta Prouse, but Chairman Bechtel noted her involvement with the board of elections would prevent her from serving. Flo Mallonee expressed willingness to serve and was appointed Vacancy Board Chairman, approved 5:0.

Gary Shultz motioned to approve the Township's depositories, carried 5:0. Susquehanna Bank was designated for the General Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Ft. Halifax Park Checking, Ft. Halifax Park Master Site Plan Access CD, Money Market Account, and Plan Escrow Account. Halifax National Bank was designated for Street Light Tax Checking.

Chairman Bechtel noted no current vacancies on the Planning Commission or Authorities. He noted that Fred Ford's reappointment at the December 2010 meeting was premature since Ford's term does not expire until 12/31/2012. Gary Shultz motioned to rescind that reappointment, approved 5:0. Current Planning Commission, HAWASA, and HARA members and term expirations were noted for the record.

Linda Stopfel expressed interest in attending the PSATS Annual State Convention and serving as the Township's voting delegate. Gary Shultz motioned to approve her attendance and appointment as voting delegate, carried 5:0. Chairman Bechtel noted a possible interest in attending Sunday and said he would confirm at the next meeting.

Chairman Bechtel inquired about current Master Site Plan study committee members, noting some original members were no longer serving. Carol Eppley indicated they had been replaced by Emery Eyster, Steven Panko, and Lauren Bitting, and that DCNR, which required the committee's formation, was responsible for approving member appointments.

Bob Artman was reappointed as the Township's Dauphin County EIT Committee representative with Gary Shade as alternate (5:0). Bob Artman and Gary Shultz were appointed as VRCP representatives with Ken Bechtel as alternate (5:0). Florence Macguire was reappointed as the NDCR representative (5:0). Carol Eppley was reappointed as the UDCOG representative (5:0).

Chairman Bechtel motioned to reappoint Charlie Bisking as Emergency Management Coordinator, approved 5:0. Linda Stopfel motioned to appoint Bob Stout as Deputy EMC, approved 5:0. Dale Shoop declined the Deputy EMC appointment but agreed to assist when needed. An emergency management training course was scheduled for January 15, 2011 at the fire house starting at 8AM.

Gary Shultz motioned to approve a mileage reimbursement rate of $0.51 per mile for 2011. Ken Hoover seconded and the vote carried 5:0.

Gary Shultz motioned to approve 2011 inter-municipal equipment rates, carried 5:0. Rates ranged from $55/hour for a pick-up truck to $80/hour for large dump truck, pay loader, mower, backhoe, and 4x4 tractor, with other equipment in between.

Gary Shultz motioned to adjourn at 8:15 PM. Ken Hoover seconded and the motion carried 5:0.