Spending Plan Has No Tax Increase
The minutes from the November meeting were approved and the treasurer's report approved with these balances: General Fund, $45,496.56; Liquid Fuels, $61.050.45; EZ Access CD, $50,444.65; 36-month fixed CD, $50,444.65; Impact Fee/Capital Reserve, $77,947.81; Fire Escrow Insurance, $9,900.40; Towanda Creek Watershed, $5.00.
The fourth quarter fire contract payment of $13,156.65 is due on December 15.
The Supervisors approved a tentative 2015 budget of $397,050.50 with the real estate millage unchanged at 6.5 mills. There is a 2.5% discount for early payment and a 10% penalty for late payments.
Some work on Beech Flats Road was done by Hawbaker's for Chief Oil & Gas.
Mr. Ferguson said that some work is needed on the berm by the Milton Brown property.
No bids were received on the 14 ft. dump box that the Township had advertised for sale.
A letter was received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency stating that the revisions to the Township's amended floodplain ordinance have brought the ordinance into compliance.
Canton Borough, as the host municipality for the Canton Fire Department, informed the township that its share of the Fire Department workers' compensation charge is $5,010.44, which is $513.25 less than the current year payment, after a refund of $915.28 from the Borough.
Ms. Blaney said she would provide a sample ordinance for the PSATS unemployment compensation group trust. A new ordinance is to be adopted by January 31, 2015 to ensure compliance with the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act and the UC Trust Agreement. This will be advertised for adoption at the December 29, year-end meeting. The Bradford County Tax Collection Committee approved a 2015 budget and asks each municipality to appoint delegates to the committee. The township will do this at its reorganization meeting on January 5.
The township received a semiannual deposit of State Police fines, $1,288.57.
The township has to complete a 2014 Survey of Financial Condition form, which will be used to determine the township's certification status for the receipt of State liquid fuels funds for 2015.
Taylor and Brague Roads have been improved under the Dirt & Gravel Roads program. The township is required to maintain those roads for a period of ten years in accordance with Conservation District requirements. A recent inspection of the roads scored Taylor Road at 2.67 and Brague at 3.15; but the township believes that road maintenance was performed on Taylor Road after the inspection, so that work was not reflected in the original score.
Because of some complaints about the condition of an uninhabited residence on Carlton Street, the township will ask Solicitor Harold Caldwell to send a letter to the owner.
The township will renew its membership in the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Earned Income Taxes paid to the township have increased over the past three years as follows: 2012, $134,636; 2013, $151,736; 2014 (to date), $164,847.
Assessment permits were issued for Chad & Kirsten Bagey, Tayor Road, for a shed; Lonnie Carpenter, Beech Flats Road, pole garage; Robert Meixsell, shed; Patricia Wright, Ward Hill Road, adjust clean & green for well pad site.
Construction permits were isued for Jack Huffman, Rt. 414, addition; Jacob Westerbaan, Spencer Road, rebuild second floor destroyed by fire; Regency Gas Services, Taylor Road, building to house five natural gas compressors (project cost $9.5 million); Mike Canale, new construction home.
Certificates of occupancy were approved for Fred & Beverly Seeley, Seeley Road; and Joshua & Kathy Bryington.
The supervisors had no adverse comment on a subdivision request for Andrew & Bonnie Vanemon, Grover Road;
Subdivisions for Samuel & Jusy Schwartz and for Gene Summers and Gail Heysham were approved at previous meetings and the final subdivisions were approved by the county.
Under gas-related items, Chesapeake received a permit renewal for the Moore Farm Bra 3H; Penn. General Energy Co. filed a well permit application notice for the Ogdensburg Gun Club Pas A Well in Union Township; Stahl Sheaffer Engineering issued a report for Appalachia Midstream for Rhodes & Beech Flats Road. An Erosion & Sediment Control General Permit from Larsen Design and authorization for a NPDES permit for Beaver Dam Energy LLC were issued.
SWEPI gave notice of intent for Consumptive Use at Castle 113 Pad in Canton Township; McTish, Kunkel & Associates applied for a major modification of a water encroachment joint permit.