BETHEL TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES
August 17, 2015
The Bethel Township Board of Supervisors meeting was called to order by Chairman
Randall Haag at 7:00 p.m. in the Bethel Township Meeting Room, Bethel PA.
Attending the meeting were Randall Haag, Michael Graby and Carl Kauffman III. Also
in attendance were Solicitor, Eugene Orlando Jr., Engineer, James Fisher and Township Manager
Jayne Seifrit. Several interested residents were in attendance.
Public Comment on Agenda
Hearing of Visitors
Robert Schultz, Superintendent for the Tulpehocken School District came to introduce
himself to the Board.
George Moyer is still questioning why our township mowing is not as nice as other areas
and he stated several places don’t have more than one employee (not a truck following) and the
job is getting done.
Approval of Minutes
Mike Graby made a motion to approve minutes from July 20, 2015, seconded by Randall
Haag. All agreed. Motion carried. Mike Graby made a motion to approve minutes
Comprehensive Plan for July 21, 2015, seconded by Randall Haag. All agreed. Motion carried.
Mike Graby made a motion to approve minutes from July 21, 2015, seconded by Carl Kauffman.
All agreed. Motion carried. Carl Kauffman made a motion to approve minutes from First
Responder meeting August 12, 2015, seconded by Randall Haag. All agreed. Motion carried.
Supervisors Comments
Carl Kauffman – Carl Kauffman stated he tried to contact Officer Murphy on the
Township phone two different times but has not heard back. He is calling concerning the police
contract negotiations. Chief Ogden will give Officer Murphy a note asking him to contact Carl
Kauffman.
Randall Haag – nothing at this time
Mike Graby – nothing at this time
Police Department Report – Aaron Ogden
Incidents Assigned
Criminal Arrests
Traffic Citations
Follow Up Investigations
Non Reportable Accidents
Motorist Assists
Fire & EMS Advisories
50
03
12
34
07
09
09
Misc. Complaints
Non Traffic Citations
Parking Tickets
Phone Assignments
Reportable Accidents
Traffic Stops
Other Law Agency Assists
29
01
08
15
02
07
05
Commercial Alarms
Security Checks
Court Appearances
Subpoena Service
Training Sessions
02
27
03
02
00hrs
Residential Alarms
School Detail
Warrant Services
Vehicle Maintenance
01
00
00
02
Report totaled 221 activities, 2196 mileage was noted. Full copy of the report will be filed with
the official minutes.
Aaron Ogden asked George Shollenberger if he noticed anymore dumping on the
mountain. George Shollenberger stated he has not noticed any.
Aaron Ogden stated there have been burnouts done on Green Ally and Legion Drive
(parallel to the highway). They would like to know when it is happening so they can come out
and stop it right away. Randall Haag stated burn outs are also happening on Schubert Road.
Carl Kauffman stated he noticed the van that was talked about last meeting is gone.
FCC Radio – Aaron Ogden stated they are not using the radios that required the FCC
frequency. Randall Haag made a motion to cancel radio with FCC, seconded by Mike Graby.
All agreed. Motion carried.
Tulpehocken School District School Resource Officer – Robert Schultz stated they are
talking with the Chiefs of Tulpehocken and Bernville Police Departments on who and how this
will turn out. There will be intergovernmental agreements, at which time the Township will be
involved in creating.
The following entities have requested fire police for their events: Bern Township Police
for Sept. 11-12 2015, Tulpehocken Township Police for Sept. 12, 2015, Strausstown Lions Club
for Sept 13, 2015 and Fredericksburg Fire Company for Sept. 18-20, 2015. Randall Haag made
a motion to approve fire police to attend any and all the events for assisting entity requesting aid,
seconded by Carl Kauffman. All agreed. Motion carried.
Aaron Ogden read the resignation letter from Officer Rhiannon Trate effective September
13, 2015. She will be attending the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. Mike Graby made a
motion to accept resignation seconded by Carl Kauffman. All agreed. Motion carried.
Emergency Management Coordinator - Randy Behney Randy Behney stated the meeting with the First Responder was held August 12, 2015.
One of the topics that came up is responding to Camp Swatara. Randy Behney will check with
the Camp to see if they have put emergency measures in place yet.
Road Master Report – Randall Haag
Salem and Dove Road – Randall Haag is waiting for them to call to set up project.
Bethel Ally project – Randall Haag stated the quotes are over the limit for only needing
to get quotes, we would need to advertise. Randall Haag stated Penn DOT representatives said
the cost for small projects are very high now because the paving companies have more than
enough work. Randall Haag believes we should rebid project early 2016 for better costs.
Shed/Building – Randall Haag stated we are on the list.
Truck - Randall Haag stated we received new truck.
Part Time Road Crew – We are still looking, the applicant we had received an offer for
Full Time employment with Bethel Township, Lebanon.
Crack Sealer – Randall Haag stated the rented crack sealer will be picked up on August
31, 2015. We will have it for two weeks then Upper Bern will have it.
Old Route 22 road swap – Randall Haag stated the swap may happen by year end or early
2016. There needs to be a resolution or something done. Randall Haag asked Solicitor if has
done one, he has not but answered can’t be too difficult.
Solicitor – Eugene Orlando Jr
Horning’s Market –Eugene Orlando stated he has been in contact with Diem and Son’s
about letter of credit and his ability to contact the bank directly to move this forward but still
protecting the Township.
Light Property on Schubert Road – Nothing new at this time
LERTA lot 3 – Eugene Orlando stated he was in contact with Director of Assessment
Brenda Shaw concerning assessment for lot 3, Dermody property. He was told pretty much the
same that Jayne Seifrit reported when talking to the Assessor. He is not satisfied this is the final
word. He will check the law.
Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance – Home Premise auto repair suggestions. The
Board was discussing number of acres, number of bays etc. Randy Behney asked if this will be
discussed with the Planning Commission. He feels a lot of time and effort went into creating a
pretty good zoning ordinance. He said somethings just don’t fit in some areas. This topic will
go on agenda for Planning Commission’s August 18, 2015 meeting.
Engineering – James Fisher
Prologis – nothing new
501 and Airport Rd – nothing at this time
Dermody – Jim Fisher stated they have cracks in the concrete work that was done when it
was cold.
Jim Fisher stated this is his last meeting as he has accepted another position. He will
continue with us until August 28, 2015, and will assist the new Engineer with pending files.
Transportation Impact Study – Randall Haag made a motion authorizing Jayne to contact
Jodie Evans, McMahon Engineering, to see if we should update Transportation Impact Study,
seconded by Mike Graby. All agreed. Motion carried.
Municipal Authority – Carl Kauffman III
Carl Kauffman stated he missed the meeting.
Randall Haag stated he received a call stating the Authority will be sending the school a
letter showing support for the LERTA.
Library Board – Mike Graby
Mike Graby stated he attended the meeting. They were talking about getting a dusk to
dawn light and having someone install it. Mike Graby purchased and installed the light for the
library.
Recreation Board – Mike Graby
Mike Graby said the Recreation Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday August 20th.
Environmental Advisory Council – Carl Kauffman
Carl Kauffman stated they are talking about putting together another educational
workshop for a different time and expand the ages a bit.
Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council – Randall Haag
Randall Haag stated the meeting is to be held October 13, 2015.
Center of Excellence for Local Government, Albright College – Randall Haag
Randall Haag stated the meeting is scheduled for September 24th
Unfinished Business
Vacant Positions: Municipal Authority –
Back up crossing guard –
Court Date – Robin Royer’s email stated there is a court date for the Ackerman driveway
issue. They will be represented by an Attorney, will the Township authorized the Township
Solicitor to be present? Randall Haag made a motion authorizing the Solicitor attendthe hearing
with Robin Royer, seconded by Mike Graby. All agreed. Motion carried.
Insurance – Medical insurance programs were compared. We could stay with the one we
have, further discussion during budget process.
New Business
Land Use Letter, Central Logistics Park – Randall Haag authorized Jayne to sign land use
letter, seconded by Carl Kauffman. All agreed. Motion carried.
Agriculture Security Area Application – Jayne stated the Township received an
application for inclusion in the program. Jayne would like to advertise for the Agricultural
Advisory Council meeting and the hearing that is needed. Randall Haag made a motion
authorizing Jayne to advertise for meeting and Board of Supervisors hearing, seconded by Mike
Graby. All agreed. Motion carried.
Engineering Firm – Jayne stated by word of mouth several firms have expressed an
interest in becoming our Engineering Firm. The Board will look at proposals received.
Municipal Breakfast with County Commissioners – September 18, 2015 at the
Strausstown Fire Company, let Jayne know by September 8th if attending.
County Convention – October 15th is the date let Jayne know by September 22 if
attending.
Traffic Light 501 and I-78 – the junction box on the southeast corner needs to be
replaced. Randall Haag made a motion to have the junction box repaired by C M High,
seconded by Mike Graby. All agreed. Motion carried. The pole for the side street, Northwest
pole, has a good bit of concrete broken off; Randall Haag will look at it.
Report of tree falling on truck – Eugene Orlando stated the owner of the truck needs to
submit claim to her insurance company and the Township needs to contact their insurance
carrier. Randall Haag made a motion authorizing Jayne to notify Township insurance carrier of
incident and to inform the truck owner to submit to her insurance, seconded by Carl Kauffman.
All agreed. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills
Payment of bills from the General Fund from check 30881-30908 and street light 157
Carl Kauffman made a motion to approve payment of the bills, seconded by Mike Graby. All
agreed. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Executive session was called at 8:45 pm for Personnel
Reconvened at 9:16 pm
Carl Kauffman made a motion to authorize payment to Rhiannon Trate for nine (9) sick days and
five (5) vacation days, seconded by Mike Graby. All agreed. Motion carried.
The Board authorized Aaron Ogden to hire two part time officers. Aaron Ogden stated he is
opposed due to expenses in training, uniforms and work load doubling on existing full time
officers. He was told it is two part time officers for now.
Adjourn
A motion was made by Carl Kauffman, seconded by Randall Haag to adjourn the Supervisors
meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Jayne K Seifrit, Township Secretary