Board Members in Attendance

John Pardue, Ron Koldjeski, and Gary Martenson

Absent

None

Board Guests in Attendance

Scot Haan, CEO; Francine Miller, Secretary/Treasurer

Meeting call to order

7:30 P.M. -- General Meeting Called to Order.

Approval of Minutes

Motion by Koldjeski to approve the minutes as prepared from the Reorganization and General Meeting on 1/5/09 and the Work Session on 2/4/09, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.

Announcements

There will be a conditional use hearing for Keith Eckel / Countryside Community Church at 6:30 PM, the Township Work Session at 7PM and the General Meeting at 7:30PM on Monday, March 2, 2009.

New Business

• Ordinance Hearing - The Supervisors set Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 7PM for a hearing in regards to the ordinances for alternate perc site requirements.
• Wage Tax Collector - Motion by Koldjeski to appoint Joan Scandale as the Newton Township Wage Tax Collector for Newton Township starting on March 1, 2009, 2nd by Martenson. Motion voted, all in favor.

Unfinished Business

• Underground Tank - At the Work Session last week, the Township received plans for an underground propane tank for a property located on Airport Drive. Haan needed to review the plans to see if a hardship was qualified. Haan stated that it is recommended. Motion by Koldjeski to grant the hardship to Al Ondush on Airport Drive for an underground tank as long as it meets code, 2nd by Martenson. 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

Road Master

Martenson reported that the road crew has been doing snow removal.

Abington COG

Jamison reported that the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities came to their last meeting to discuss a joint purchase of electricity. The electric prices will increase from 25-45% by 1/1/2010. Jamison provided paperwork that needs to be filed by 1/11/09 to participate.

Planning Commission

None

Rec Committee

Sandy LaCoe reported that the last soup sale for the season is February 27, 2009. There is a roast beef dinner on March 28, 2009 and the 5th and 6th grade dances will continue every month thru May. A temporary golf net has been set up on the stage for lessons and the 4-H has requested the use of a room for their meetings on the first and third Mondays of the month. Our Lady of the Snows / St. Benedicts has stated they will use the Center for Bible School in July and use the kitchen for the annual bazaar from August 2 – 9, 2009. The annual canvas has brought in $8670 which is $2000 less than last year. LaCoe also reported that Gary Roberts was supposed to be present tonight to discuss the boiler project but must not have been able to make it and hopefully will be able to next month because they would like to get it started. LaCoe asked the Supervisors what the status was of the preschool lease. It was explained that we still have not received the signed lease and Miller is to send a letter to the lessees stating they need to be present at the next meeting with the signed contract ready for the Township to sign.

SAPA

Jamison reported they are proceeding with fine tuning the land planning.

Wage Tax Collector

Miller reported that the finals have been sent out and the new LST forms were mailed to employers located in Newton Township. Koldjeski also explained that the paper that was enclosed with the year-end form that reads the resident needs to provide this paper to their payroll department so that their wage tax is coded to 226 is very important so that the Township receives your taxes.

Solicitor Report

None

CEO Report

Haan reported that he met with Scranton Sheet Metal and explained that they need a conditional use hearing to put an additional building on the property. He also met with Ronco Group and explained they need to remove the trailers outside and other stuff or have a conditional use hearing.

Public Input

• Ray Keller - asked how the communication was going with Comcast. Supervisors stated that they are communicating with our solicitor. Keller was also advised to contact Sileo and state that the Supervisors are granting him to have communication with this process.
• Chad Reese - of Milwaukee Road asked about receiving his money back from Waste Management. The Board explained that we entered into a new contract with J.P. Mascaro for waste removal. Reese also wanted to know the status of the variance hearing with Hrobuchak’s garage. Supervisors explained that the information needed to proceed was just received tonight and that we will be in touch with our zoning hearing attorney to schedule the hearing.

Bills were signed and discussed. Motion by Koldjeski to pay the bills for the Township and Recreation Center as presented, 2nd by Martenson. 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 8:29 PM

Respectfully submitted by Francine Miller