HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES
MAY 23, 2016
7:00 PM
The regular monthly meeting of the Hempfield Township Board of Supervisors, held at the Hempfield
Township Municipal Building, was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman R. Douglas Weimer.
Supervisors Present: Mr. R. Douglas Weimer
Mr. Tom Logan
Mr. George Reese
Mr. John Silvis
Staff Present:
Mr. Andrew Walz
Mr. Bruce Beitel
Ms. Melanie Phillips
Mr. Jason Winters
Mr. Scott Avolio
Mr. Doug Cisco
Ms. Callie Krueger
Mr. Dan Schmitt
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
2. HEARINGS – NONE
3. CITIZENS COMMENTS (As Per Resolution #2012-24)
Lou Pochet – 915 Essex Dr. Mr. Pochet addressed the Board of Supervisors about his concerns regarding
the fracking in the township. He is concerned about the water and air pollution and said that fracking has
a negative and dangerous impact.
John Atherton – 916 Essex Dr. Mr. Atherton addressed the Board of Supervisors about his concerns
regarding the fracking in the township. He suggested alternatives such as solar and wind energy, and
other renewable energies to avoid the risks of fracking.
Cynthia Walter – 916 Essex Dr. Ms. Walter addressed the Board of Supervisors about her concerns
regarding the fracking in the township. She said that the township could sell the energy they create if
they chose to be organized enough to use other sources of energy.
Vicki Georges – 56 Deerfield Dr. Ms. Georges questioned the Board of Supervisors regarding any
negotiations to sell The Hempfield Township Municipal Authority. She noted that as an employee, they
have been without a contract for sixteen months.
Al Ciarimboli- 121 Possum Hollow Rd. Mr. Ciarimboli noted that he has Marcella Gas wells under his
property and said that they were there to test the water from the pond. He would like for the township to
require them to get permits to test the water through the Township and also he wants them to come back
out to his property to test the water again. He mentioned signs on the road that he requested be installed
because there are several accidents along his property.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – An Executive Session was held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 for
personnel matters.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –
a. April 25, 2016: Supervisor’s Monthly Meeting – Mr. Reese made a motion, seconded by Mr. Logan
to approve April’s monthly meeting minutes. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
6. STAFF REPORTS -- (Written reports distributed prior to meeting)
-Andrew Walz – Nothing to add.
-Bruce Beitel – Nothing to add.
-Jason Winters – Nothing to add, however, noted that Stephanie Duncan would be removed from item
“J” under Items for Action to be Taken.
-Doug Cisco – Nothing to add, however, mentioned that the Public Works Department would look into
the tractor signs which Mr. Ciarimboli asked about.
-Melanie Phillips – Nothing to add.
-Dan Schmitt – Nothing to add, however, noted that the Township has no say or implication of the laws
on the wells on Mr. Ciarimboli’s property, and mentioned that it was through the D.E.P.
-Scott Avolio – Nothing to add.
-Mr. John Silvis noted here that the Board of Supervisors was informed that the wells are regulated
through federal law. Mr. Walz commented that a letter is being drafted to send to the congressman.
7. TREASURER’S REPORT
8. PAYMENT OF BILLS –
a. General Fund--$582,674.85
b. Light District Account--$7,715.05
c. Merchant Account--$120.00
Mr. Logan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reese to approve the payment of bills. Vote: 4-0. Motion
carried.
9. SCHEDULING OF HEARINGS - NONE
10. DECISIONS FOR HEARINGS - NONE
11. SUBDIVISION PLANS –
a. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-61; Which Grants an Extension of Time to
Comply with Resolution No. 2015-120 for the Subdivision Plan of Pittsburgh Custom Homes,
L.P., Known as Meadowlane Farm Estates Phase 4 (Plan No. 20150358) – Mr. Logan made a
motion, seconded by Mr. Silvis to approve Resolution No. 2016-61. Vote 4-0. Motion Carried.
b. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-62; Which Grants Final Conditional Approval
to the Lesnick Subdivision of Lot 2 (Plan No. 20160121) – Mr. Logan made a motion, seconded
by Mr. Reese to Approve Resolution No. 2016-62. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
c. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-63; Which Grants Final Approval to the
Subdivision Plan of Wilfred Henry and Patricia Henry, Known as the Henry Plan (Plan No.
20160076) – Mr. Logan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reese to approve Resolution No. 2016-63.
Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
d. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-64; Which Grants Final Conditional Approval
to the Roy Reese Plan (Plan No. 20160150)- Mr. Logan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Weimer
to approve Resolution No. 2016-64. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
12. SITE PLANS – None
13. ITEMS FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN
a. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-65; Which Approves Participation in a Project
with the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority, Known as the Fort Allen/Union Cemetery
Storm/Sanitary Lining Project; Said Resolution Authorizes the Township of Hempfield to
Participate in Said Project – Mr. Reese made a motion, seconded by Mr. Logan to approve
Resolution No. 2016-65. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
b. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-66; Which Approves the Transfer of Tax Map
No. 50-19-01-0-008 to the Westmoreland County Land Bank – Mr. Logan made a motion,
seconded by Mr. Reese to approve Resolution No. 2016-66. Vote 4-0. Motion carried.
c. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-67; Which Approves the Activities for the
Hempfield Township Fire Police Association for the Year 2016 – Mr. Logan made a motion to
approve Resolution No. 2016-67 on the condition that Hempfield Area School District supplies a
Certificate of Insurance for the Ft. Allen Halloween activities, seconded by Mr. Silvis. Vote: 4-0.
Motion carried.
d. Consideration to Approve Resolution No. 2016-68; Which Authorizes the Sale of Unsold
Property in Repository (Lot 14 – Harvey Street, Tax Map #50-16-09-0-055, Bid Amount:
$1,099.00) – Mr. Logan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reese to approve Resolution No. 2016-68.
Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
e. Motion Which Ratifies the Participation of the Following Hempfield Township Volunteer
Firefighters with the Greensburg Bloodhound Team Pursuant to the Existing Mutual Aid
Agreement Between the Township and the City of Greensburg (Doug Fordyce, Greg Saunders
and Greg Saunders, II) – Mr. Logan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reese to ratify the
participation of Doug Fordyce, Greg Saunders, and Greg Saunders II with the Greensburg
Bloodhound Team pursuant to the existing Mutual Aid Agreement between the Township and the
City of Greensburg. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
f. Consideration to Award Payroll Service Contract to Loyalhanna Management Services – Mr.
Logan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Weimer to award Payroll Service Contract to Loyalhanna
Management Services. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
g. Consideration to Set the Salary of Patrick Karnash as Code Specialist I to $53,000 Effective
June 1, 2016 – Mr. Reese made a motion, seconded by Mr. Logan to set the salary of Patrick
Karnash as Code Specialist I to $53,000 effective June 1, 2016. It was noted that Mr. Karnash had
received all necessary certifications.
h. Consideration to Purchase Volunteer Fire Department Breathing Apparatus from Kaza Fire
Equipment in the Amount of $76,668.00 (Co-Star #012-023) – Mr. Reese made a motion,
seconded by Mr. Logan to approve the purchase of the breathing apparatus from Kaza Fire
Equipment in the amount of $76,668.00. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
i. Consideration to Approve the Hiring of Zachary Myers and Evan Murphy as Park
Maintenance Assistants at the Rate of $9.00 Per Hour – Mr. Reese made a motion, seconded by
Mr. Logan to approve the hiring of Zachary Myers and Evan Murphy as Park Maintenance
Assistance at the rate of $9.00 per hour. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
j. Consideration to Approve the Hiring of Summer Day Camp Counselors at the following
Hourly Rates:
Seasonal Staff - Summer Staff
Last
Name
First
Name
Position
Pay Rate per
hour
Duncan
Stephanie
Summer Day Camp Counselor
$8.00
Emanuele
Maria
Summer Day Camp Counselor
$8.00
Graft
Brittany
Summer Day Camp Counselor
$8.00
Paullet
Heather
Summer Day Camp Head Counselor
$8.50
Shabe
Bethany
Summer Day Camp Counselor
$8.00
Smith
Bethany
Summer Day Camp Counselor
$8.00
Stas
Olivia
Summer Day Camp Counselor
$8.00
Thomson
Cara
Summer Day Camp Counselor
$8.00
Mr. Logan made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reese to hire Maria Emanuele, Brittany Graft, Heather
Paullet, Bethany Shabe, Bethany Smith, Olivia Stas, and Cara Thomson at the above mentioned
hourly rates. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
k. Consideration to Approve the Following Emergency Service Applications to be Effective Upon
the Township Receiving a Physical Report from the Township Physician Stating that the
Individual is Capable of Performing Activities Related to the Appointed Position and
Successful Criminal History and Act 153 Clearance Requirements
1. Thomas Carnahan
Sr. Firefighter
Carbon Fire Department
2. Dakota Watson
Jr. Firefighter
Adamsburg Fire Department
3. Carl Watson
Sr. Firefighter
Adamsburg Fire Department
Mr. Reese made a motion, seconded by Mr. Logan, to approve Dakota Watson and Carl Watson as
Volunteer Fire Fighters effective upon the township receiving a physical report from the township
physician stating that the individual is capable of performing activities related to the position and
successful Criminal History and Act 153 Clearance Requirements. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
Mr. Silvis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Logan to approve Thomas Carnahan as a Volunteer Fire
Fighter effective upon the township receiving a physical report from the township physician stating
that the individual is capable of performing activities related to the position and successful Criminal
History and Act 153 Clearance Requirements. Vote: 3-0. Mr. Reese abstained from the vote.
14. OLD BUSINESS - None
15. NEW BUSINESS – It is to be added to the agenda that the vacancy on the Planning Commission
will be filled. Mr. Silvis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Reese to appoint Heather Cordial to fill the vacant
position on the Hempfield Township Planning Commission for the remainder of the term- December 31,
2016. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
16. PROCLAMATIONS - None
17. SUPERVISORS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Silvis wished everyone a Happy and Safe Memorial Day.
Mr. Weimer commented that he appreciates all of the comments and concerns about the incident in
Salem Township and sends his thoughts and prayers to Salem Township.
5. 18. ADJOURNMENT - The regular monthly meeting of the Hempfield Township Board of
Supervisors, held at the Hempfield Township Municipal Building, was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. by
Chairman R. Douglas Weimer.
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CHAIRMAN
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SECRETARY