Board Members in Attendance
John Pardue, Ron Koldjeski, and Gary Martenson
Board Guests in Attendance
Joseph Sileo, Solicitor; Scot Haan, CEO; Francine Miller, Secretary/Treasurer
Meeting call to order
7:39 P.M. -- General Meeting Called to Order.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Koldjeski to approve the minutes from the 2006-3 Ordinance Hearing and the general meeting on December 11, 2006, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.
Announcements
None
New Business
- Jeff Kyle – DGK Insurance - Mr. Kyle presented the Board with the breakdown for the property insurance that is due to renew on February 4, 2007. After some discussion, it
was noticed that the playground equipment at the Recreation Center needs to be added. Kyle also recommended that the Board elect to get fiduciary liability insurance to have protection for the
pension plans. Miller to contact Trollinger to discuss as well as PIRMA.
- Jim Richards - Mr. Richards approached the Board with the recommendation that the Board sand and paint the v-plow from the grader that is behind the garage and put it up front
as the Newton Township sign.
- Rec Center Boiler - Message received from Sue Sherman that the boiler needs to be replaced and that will make it more cost efficient. Malcolm Pirnie submitted a proposal
that they would design and take bids for the project for $15,000. The firm requires a $13,500 deposit. Pardue will check into it before agreeing. After which, the Board approves if deemed fair.
- Amended Vacation Schedule - The vacation schedule will be amended to 1-3 years employment receives one week vacation, 3-10 years employment receives two weeks vacation with an
additional day for every year after 10 years up to 15 years employment receives three weeks vacation to become effective immediately without garnishing any vacation time already received by current
employees. Motion by Martenson to accept the amendments to the vacation schedule as outlined, 2nd by Pardue. Motion voted, all in favor.
Correspondence
Correspondence is available with the Secretary’s office during regular business hours for review.
Standing Committee Reports
POSTED - Planning Commission Minutes and Police Report.
Road Master
Martenson reported that the road crew has been cleaning out pipes and repairing shoulders from washouts. The road crew also cold patched the area behind the Rec Center that needed repair.
Wage Tax Collector
Sherman stated that her and Welter is working on making refund claims and editing the mailing lists.
Planning Commission
No report because there was no meeting in December.
SAPA
Koldjeski stated that stakeholders from Newton Township have been appointed. The stakeholders will be Keith Eckel, Ray Keller and Paul Wendolowski. These men will represent Newton Township in
regards to committees that the SAPA has set up. The first meeting will take place this month.
Recreation Center
Sandy LaCoe reported that the Recreation Committee will meet January 8 and 22, 2007 this month and all meetings will be the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. The issue of the minimum wage
was discussed with Sileo and it was determined that we have less than 10 full time employees and the Rec Center will have to raise the hourly rate of any employee under $6.65 to that
rate effective 7/1/07 and up to $7.15 by 1/1/08.
CEO Report
Haan reported that he had a problem with Comm Center in regards to having South Abington dispatched for an emergency. Comm Center stated that South Abington did not cover Newton, only Ransom.
Miller to send letter to Comm Center and ask Chief Gerrity to do the same. Tomko contacted Haan again in regards to the burning issue after her neighbor had been burning for four days. Until the
Township has specific evidence, Haan will wait. Haan has a meeting this week with DEP with regards to the garbage in the creek on Bridge Lane.
Abington COG
Miller reported that Jamison had called and stated that there will me a meeting at Clarks Green Borough Building at 7:30PM on Thursday, January 4, 2007. Bruce Smallacombe from Lackawanna
County Roads & Bridges will be present.
Solicitor Report
Sileo reported that Judge Mazzoni on December 28, 2006 ruled in our favor regarding the appeal of Waltz/Bilardi. He also stated that we will be filing against Miller if needed after the site inspection by Haan.
Unfinished Business
None
Public Input
Bills were signed and discussed. Motion by Martenson to pay the bills for the Township and Recreation Center as presented, 2nd by Koldjeski. Motion voted, all in favor.
Being no further public input and discussion, Koldjeski motioned to adjourn the meeting, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM
Respectfully submitted by Francine Miller
