Board Members in Attendance

John Pardue, Ron Koldjeski, and Gary Martenson

Absent

None

Board Guests in Attendance

D. Scot Haan, CEO; Francine Miller, Secretary/Treasurer

Meeting call to order

7:30 P.M. -- General Meeting Called to Order with Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Martenson to accept the minutes from the General Meeting on November 10, 2008 and the Work Session on December 3, 2008 as prepared, 2nd by Koldjeski. Motion voted, all in favor. Motion by Koldjeski to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting on November 28, 2008, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor, Pardue abstained.

Announcements

None

New Business

• 2009 Budget - Motion by Koldjeski to approve the 2009 Budget as prepared with no tax increase except for the Local Service Tax/Occupational Tax for $52 per person instead of the $10 per person OPT. Newton Township is one of the last areas to approve the tax. Motion seconded by Martenson, motion voted, all in favor.
• 2001 Chevrolet Impala Bid - Bids were opened and read (see file for complete list of bidders). Motion by Koldjeski to offer the car to Gary Martin, Ransom Road for his bid of $3801.00 paid with certified funds, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.
• Resolution 2008-3 - Motion by Martenson to approve Resolution 2008-3 for PADOT dotGrants, 2nd by Koldjeski. Motion voted, all in favor.

Unfinished Business

• Township Flyers - The Supervisors announced that the Township will be working on putting together a new flyer to be distributed throughout the Township. The last one was done in 1999.
• Police Contract - A new 5-year contract was negotiated between Newton Township and Police Chief Robert Reese to include wage increments, life insurance increase and a buyout for unused sick time. Pardue thanked Koldjeski for the time he put into this to get the contract together. Motion by Koldjeski to approve the new police contract for five years, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.
• Reorganization 2009 - Newton Township will reorganize at 7PM on Monday, January 5, 2009 with a general meeting following.

Correspondence

Correspondence is available with the Secretary’s office during regular business hours for review.

Standing Committee Reports

POSTED - Planning Commission

Road Master

Martenson reported that the road crew is working on shouldering, patching and plowing.

Wage Tax Collector

Welter reported that we took in about $19,000 in back taxes for 2000 -2006 from Don Wilkinson. Tina Young will be coming Thursday and Friday. Dick will be coming on Friday to run quarterly report. Koldjeski announced that we are losing Darlene on the 15th of December and thanked her for all her efforts in getting the monies owed to the Township and we appreciate all her efforts.

Planning Commission

Haan stated no one came before the Commission and they reviewed a draft ordinance for on-lot sewage, we did not have the final draft yet.

Abington COG

Jamison reported that Barry Fox, deputy director of open records came to the meeting. January 8, 2009 is the next meeting where they will discuss buying electric power in bulk.

SAPA

The meeting scheduled for December 16 at South Abington will discuss the financial impact on land use.

Rec Committee

Sandy LaCoe reported $8135.00 earned in the annual canvas, soup sale earned $600. The next soup sale will be January 30, 2009. LaCoe provided the Board with the proposed fee schedule and the Board approved. The Board also approved the amended by-laws at their Work Session. The Rec Committee recommends a 2% wage increase for employees that we will addressed at the Reorganization Meeting on January 5, 2009 by the Board of Supervisors. Holly Gilpin would like to renew her position on the Committee. LaCoe would like Sileo to amend the Daydreamers lease to state they will also use Room #6 and their rent will be $1100 per month when their lease renews.

Solicitor Report

Sileo not present.

Public Input

None

Bills were signed and discussed. Motion by Koldjeski to pay the bills as prepared, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.

Being no further public input and discussion, Pardue motioned to adjourn the meeting, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM

Respectfully submitted by Francine Miller