NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
***MINUTES***
PAGE 1
The North Strabane Township Board of Supervisors held its NonLegislative Meeting, Tuesday, March 15, 2015 at approximately 7:30
P.M., at the Township Municipal Building, 1929 Route 519, Canonsburg,
Pennsylvania 15317.
ATTENDING THE MEETING
Brian Spicer, Chairman, via speaker phone
Robert Balogh, Vice-Chairman
Sonia Stopperich, Supervisor
Marcus Staley, Supervisor
Bob Ross, Supervisor
ALSO ATTENDING THE MEETING
Frank R. Siffrinn, Manager-Secretary
Gary Sweat, Solicitor
Joe Sites, Gateway Engineers
Brian Hughes, Chief of Police
Doug Trbovich, Code Enforcement
Matt Marasco, Municipal Authority
Mark Grimm, Fire Chief
Paulette Moyar, Planning Coordinator
Josh Bell, Ambulance Service
Bob SeCaur, Library Board
Deanna M. Kelly, Stenographer
ABSENT FROM THIS SESSION
Josh Bell, Ambulance Service
Mr. Balogh called the meeting to order followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance and Roll Call.
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Don Kimberland, 912 Thomas Eighty Four Road, Eighty-Four, PA
15330.
Does anybody have an idea when they are going to stop trucking water to
the wells, and how many wells are there? I know Range was all set up by
the Martin Farm and trucks travel on Thomas Eighty Four Road. I think
the state representative is trying to get the speed limit lowered to 25 miles
an hour.
The road is already breaking up down there. I was outside the other day
and there was 17 water trucks going down the road. Daytime is not that
bad. After dark, they have about five to eight trucks going up and down
the road all night long.
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
Rob Balogh, Emergency Coordinator gave the following report:
We have been working on communication projects.
AMBULANCE
SERVICE
Josh Bell submitted the following report:
Call Volume
Canonsburg Ambulance Service responded to 68 calls for the month of
February - 45 calls from the Canonsburg station and 23 from the North
Strabane station. The average response time from the Canonsburg station
was 7.3 minutes, and from the North Strabane station was 6.6 minutes.
News/Updates
Call backs for Community Paramedicine Program.
PLANNING
COMMISSION
Planning Coordinator Paulette Moyar gave the following report:
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
***MINUTES***
PAGE 2
The Planning Commission meeting will be held on March 21, 2016. The
following items are on the agenda:
Fox Chase, Phase 2
Subdivision Plan
Final Subdivision Plan of a 39-lot conservation subdivision located on
Willow Street in an R-2 district.
Fox Chase, Phase 2
Site Plan
Final Site Plan of a 39-lot conservation subdivision located on Willow
Street in an R-2 district.
Weavertown Pointe
Preliminary and final review of the 15th amended plan showing the asbuilt conditions of Lot 10, units A – D, located on Hardy Lane in an R-3
district.
Four Star Pipe and
Supply
Preliminary site plan of a proposed 10,800 square foot office and
warehouse building to be located on 10.16 acres along Route 519 in an I-1
district.
Veterinary
Ventures
Final Site Plan of a proposed veterinary hospital to be located at the
corner of Meadowbrook Drive and Route 19 in a C-1 district. A special
exception was granted by the Zoning Hearing Board on December 5,
2012.
Creekside Crossing
Conditional use application for a conservation subdivision located on
101.3 acres along Thomas-Eighty Four Road in an R-2 district.
Traditions of
America
Review and recommendation of a proposed amendment to the Zoning
Ordinance permitting “Age Restricted Planned Communities” as a
conditional use in the A-1 and R-2 districts. This is the third revision to
its original application. The second revision was rejected by the Planning
Commission in January.
MUNICIPAL
AUTHORITY
Engineer Matt Marasco gave the following report:
Fox Ridge PRD
Phase 1
Phase 1 was completed on November 5, 2015.
commented on the as-built plans.
Fox Ridge PRD
Phase 2
We have reviewed the revised sewer drawings and developers agreement
with construction pending.
Waterdam Farms
Phase 4
Construction is complete with the exception of testing and close-out
documents.
Park Place, Phase 2
Construction started November 13, 2015.
Indian Ridge Plan
Construction started November 13, 2015 and was completed on March 4,
2016. Close-out documents have been executed. As-built plans are
pending.
Canonsburg Mall
We discussed relocating the sewer to allow for wetlands mitigation.
Waiting for revised construction drawings.
Janusey Industrial
Park
Construction started January 9, 2016 and was tested on March 3, 2016.
NiSource Pipeline
We are providing periodic inspections of the Authority’s infrastructure as
the pipelines cross the sewer lines.
Weavertown Pointe
Sewer Relocation
Construction started February 29, 2016.
We reviewed and
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
***MINUTES***
PAGE 3
Burkett Place
Apartments
We have reviewed and approved revised sewer drawings, sewer
easements and developers agreement with construction pending.
The Streets at the
Meadows
The developer has raised the two buried manholes along Racetrack Road.
Linden Creek
Sewer Extension
We received permits (WCCDPADOT/CSX Railroad) and have responded
to DEP NPDES permit and WQM Part II Permits. The bids were opened
on January 19, 2016. The bid was awarded to R. A. Monzo Construction
in the amount of $2,890,000. The contract documents have been prepared
and submitted to the contractor. We attended a preconstruction meeting
on January 28, 2016.
Thomas Road
Sewer Extension
We received permits (WCCDPADOT/CSX Railroad) and have responded
to DEP NPDES permit and WQM Part II Permits. The bids were opened
on January 19, 2016. The bid was awarded to R. A. Monzo Construction
in the amount of $2,890,000. The contract documents have been prepared
and submitted to the contractor. We attended a preconstruction meeting
on January 28, 2016.
Linden Creek
Sewer Extension
Right-of-ways
The 30 day appeal period has expired for the condemnation proceedings.
The solicitor is proceeding with the condemnation of only one property.
Thomas Road
Sewer Extension
Right-of-ways
The 30 day appeal period has expired for the condemnation proceedings.
The solicitor is proceeding with the condemnation of only one property.
STP-PS Sewer
Projects
We have completed the sewer designs and field verified each sewer route.
The final construction drawings and profiles have been prepared. The
wetland study has been completed. The architectural studies are being
performed as needed. We are currently preparing the required permits
and sewer easements.
STP-PS Sewer
Easements
We have researched and assembled the property data, plotted deeds,
prepared right-of-way exhibits and sewer agreements. We have prepared
the sewer easement matrix with resident contact data. We plan to start
contacting each resident this month.
2015 Annual
Report
We have prepared the 2015 annual report as required by the bonding
companies.
Van Eman
Forcemain Project
We have researched historical design drawings and permits.
replacement project has started.
PARKS AND
RECREATION
Margie Householder submitted the following report:
Events
We reviewed the list of events and assigned various members to each
event.
Our Paint and Sip event was a big success, with 22 painters in attendance.
Plans are underway for the Easter Egg Hunt. It will be held at McDowell
and McClelland pavilions, with prizes, candy filled eggs, hot dogs, tater
tots, and drinks.
Community Day
We made some decisions on Community Day, planned for June 18th, from
11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Fireworks will be at dark. We will have kids’
attractions, including the Super Speedway and inflatables along with
games and a scavenger hunt. The A Train will also be present. There will
be a DJ for most of the day, with a live performance by Shannon and the
Meger. Food and craft booths will be booked.
The
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
***MINUTES***
PAGE 4
LIBRARY
REPORT
Bob SeCaur gave the following report:
Friend Cafe
As means of making the library more inviting, it will be opening a café. It
will include K-cup coffee services and a small selection of snacks. This
trial effort will determine the viability of the service, and if the service
should continue, expand, or cease.
Site for Polling
The local Canonsburg district was in need of a location to hold its primary
election and has asked the library to serve as its site. The board has
agreed and will assess the impact on the patrons to see if it will be an
ongoing arrangement.
Long Range Plan
A new long term plan was approved by the board. Changes include
additional focus on the use of technology as a means of making
information more easily available to patrons. Another addition is to
develop an investment policy for the purpose of creating a sustainable
financial model for the library.
New Entrance
The new entrance is near completion; however, the timeline was uncertain
so the Grand Opening Gala is to be included with the fifth anniversary
celebration in June.
Sports Collector
Show
A sports collector’s showcase and sale is being held during operating
hours on April 2nd. A number of local sports card and memorabilia
dealers will be present offering items for sale. The show will also be a
kickoff for the new Sports Collectors’ Club, which will meet one
Thursday each month starting in April.
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Brian Hughes Chief of Police gave the following report:
Activity Report
The North Strabane Police Department responded to 786 calls for service
during the month of February. The Department made seven arrests and
issued ten non-traffic citations. There were 38 traffic accidents, 112
traffic citations, and 207 traffic warnings issued. There were 83 parking
tickets issued.
Items of Interest
• The Department patrolled a total of 15,056 miles and consumed 1,416
gallons of gasoline.
• Officer Salerno entered into the Department’s Field Training Officer
Program.
• Officer Scherer completed the sex offender compliance checks. There
were two sex offenders who were out of compliance. The one offender,
Felix Cruz, was arrested and charged. He failed to register his
residence, Facebook account, and vehicle under Megan’s Law. The
Washington County District Attorney agreed to file charges on Cruz.
The other offender, Erich Openbrier, did not register his work address.
He does not live in the Township, but did work here. The Department is
waiting to hear if the DA’s office will agree to file charges on
Openbrier for failing to register his work address under Megan’s Law.
• Chief Hughes submitted an article for In-Community Magazine
regarding our new police officers.
• The Canine policy was updated to reflect the use of narcotics for
training aids from DEA.
• Three police officer candidate background investigations were
completed. I will be recommending the Township hire two officers this
month.
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
Training
***MINUTES***
PAGE 5
• SWAT team operators participated in their 12 hours of mandatory
training.
• Officer Schmeltz attended a 16 hour course on MCSAP updates.
• Officers Scherer, Ging, and Spicer attended a 16 hour training course
entitled, “The Warrior Mindset”. This is an officer survival course.
• The Department conducted eight hours of in-house training for its
officers on defensive tactics.
• Officer Mancini and K-9 Drago completed 16 hours of training.
• Officer Miles attended the 40 hour SWAT Team Leader
Development class in Pittsburgh.
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Director Harry Hayman submitted the following report:
Township
Buildings and
Grounds
Walls in the meeting room were patched and painted. Wood paneling and
a chair rail were installed to keep the chairs from damaging the walls.
Road Construction
Trees were cut back along Walker Road in preparation for paving. Work
on road widening and inlet repairs have started.
Road Maintenance
We are installing wooden guide rails along Linden Road by the park
entrance.
Patching potholes and sweeping along Township roads are being done as
needed.
Other Discussions
In February, we ordered and received 600 tons of road salt. We had a
total of five call outs for icy roads, resulting in 540 tons of salt being used.
PA One Calls
In February, we received and responded to 85 PA One Calls.
CODE
ENFORCEMENT
Code Enforcement Officer Doug Trbovich gave the following report:
Permit and Fees
We have issued 19 building permits for the month of February, with a
total of $6,541.00 in fees collected. We issued 13 certificates of
occupancy.
Inspections
We completed 70 inspections.
Property
Maintenance
Complaints
We had a total of 9 property maintenance complaints: two abandoned
vehicles, one debris on roadway, one illegal dumping, one garbage
complaint, one unkept property, and three miscellaneous. Of those
complaints, seven were cleared. To date, we have eight on-going
complaints. We removed 11 illegal signs.
Training
Twelve hours of training and certification testing were completed by the
inspectors.
City of
Washington
Inspections
We completed two inspections. The inspectors devoted two and one-half
hours to the City of Washington for the month.
Nottingham
Township
Inspections
We completed three inspections and two reviews. The inspectors devoted
five hours to Nottingham Township for the month.
Donegal Township
Inspections
We completed one inspection. The inspectors devoted two hours to
Donegal Township for the month.
Borough of
Claysville
We completed three inspections. The inspectors devoted one hour to
Claysville Borough for the month.
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
***MINUTES***
PAGE 6
Inspections
Major Projects
Planet Fitness – Frame work
Toyota Dealer – Exterior work
Model at Fox Ridge – Under roof
FIRE
DEPARTMENT
Chief Grimm gave the following report:
Fire Calls
The Department responded to 79 calls for the month of February – one
structure fire, 37 structure alarms, one brush fire, eight first responders,
eight motor vehicle accidents with injuries, eight motor vehicle accidents
without injuries, one motor vehicle accident with entrapment, one
physical rescue, one water rescue, three Haz mat calls, two wires down,
two public service calls, one animal rescue, one good intent, one carbon
monoxide alarm, and three no incidents found. Total time out was 36
hours and 19 minutes. Mutual aid responses: 17 were received and 31
were given.
Inspections
The Department conducted 16 commercial fire inspections, completed 14
hours of fire prevention, 254 hours of training, and reviewed three fire
plans.
ISO
We had our ISO audit and should have the results within a few months.
Our current rating is 5/7, which is from 2007. I am confident we will
lower our Township rating.
AED Upgrade
Our AED upgrade project is complete. All 10 AEDs have been replaced.
Advanced Life
Support
We have successfully passed and now have our squad certified in ALS
(Advanced Life Support) through the State of Pennsylvania.
Training
There are classes our department will participate that are outside of the
regular Monday evening training. Supervisors are more than welcome to
visit and see our training session.
ENGINEER’S
REPORT
Engineer Joe Sites gave the following report:
Sunoco Natural Gas We have received a request on behalf of Core States Group for the release
Facility
of the grading bond in the amount of $55,000.00.
Canonsburg
Hospital
We have received a request on behalf of Canonsburg Hospital for the
release of the grading bond in the amount of $50,000.00.
Indian Ridge
We have received and reviewed the third request for the reduction of the
bond for grading at Indian Ridge in the amount of $62,098.55. This will
close out the grading bond.
The second part of the bond reduction is for the installation of storm
sewers that has been completed in the amount of $43,803.08. This will
reduce the bond from $155,112.08 to 111,309.00.
Magnolia Ridge
We have had three meetings to discuss the potential connection from the
Magnolia Ridge development to the proposed Canon-McMillan Middle
School for access to Hill Church Houston Road. Due to the topography, it
is not feasible for the development to make a connection and provide
access to Hill Church Houston Road. The access for Magnolia Ridge
development will be from Lindley Road.
MANAGER’S
REPORT
Manager Frank Siffrinn gave the following report:
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
***MINUTES***
PAGE 7
Magnolia Ridge
Consideration of Magnolia Ridge Final Master Plan located on Lindley
Road in an R-3 district.
West Penn Power
Company
Consideration of a Street Lighting Agreement with West Penn Power
Company to replace existing mercury vapor street lights with LED highpressure sodium vapor street lights.
Amend Zoning
Ordinance
(Kennels)
Consideration of an ordinance amending the North Strabane Township
Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 27, adding and regulating the location of dog
boarding facilities (kennels) as a special exception in the C-1 and C-2
districts.
Amend Zoning
Ordinance (Garden
Apartment)
Consideration of an ordinance amending the North Strabane Zoning
Ordinance, Chapter 27, providing an amended definition of Garden
Apartment regarding the height of the structure.
Findings of Fact –
Range Resources
Consideration of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law relative to the
conditional use application of Range Resources for Bier well site property
located on Route 19.
Comprehensive
Plan
Schedule a public hearing on the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan.
Appointments
Parks and Recreation Board (1) 5-year term (term expiration 12/31/20).
SOLICITOR’S
REPORT
Solicitor Gary Sweat gave the following report:
Pearl Drive
We are waiting to hear back from the Elder Service Agency.
Oil & Gas
Ordinance
The proposed Oil and Gas Ordinance is in final form. The Planning
Commission recommends it for adoption.
Nuisance
Ordinance
We have received final comments from the Code Enforcement Department.
We will submit the final draft to the Planning Commission for review.
JG Landscaping
This matter was remanded by Judge DiSalle to the Zoning Hearing Board.
If this matter is not scheduled by for a new appeal by April 1st, I will
confer with the Zoning Hearing Board solicitor and determine whether or
not the Township can reinstitute its enforcement action.
Range Resources
The conditional use application from Range Resources to utilize the Bier
pad as a water containment facility to assist in fracking operations outside
the Township was approved. I have prepared a written decision by the
Board.
Greenwood Village
Litigation
A hearing for our argument on the Mandamus action filed by Bove
Development is scheduled Monday, March 28th. The two main issues
concern the number of units and the access road into the proposed
development. We have asked the plaintiff for a Proposal of Settlement
with a request he address these two issues.
Carol Drive
We have been working with Mark Whalen, Code Enforcement Officer, on
the issue concerning property on Carol Drive. This seems to be the same
situation as Pearl Drive. We have contacted Elder Care Services.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
Mr. Sweat requested an executive session to discuss legal and personnel
matters.
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
None.
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NON-LEGISLATIVE MEETING – TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
REMARKS
FROM
SUPERVISORS
***MINUTES***
PAGE 8
None.
The Board convened to executive session to discuss legal and personnel
matters at 8:27 P.M.
The Board reconvened from executive session at 9:07 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
All business being concluded, the non-legislative meeting adjourned at
9:08 P.M.
________________________________________
Robert Balogh, Vice-Chairman
___________________________________________
Frank R. Siffrinn, Manager-Secretary
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