The first order of business was opening bids for the proposed cinder building. One bid was received, from Jennings Construction for $81,000.
The building was proposed because the present cinder building has proven inadequate for the township's needs, as it is too small to house the cinder pile. Because of this the pile freezes, making extra work to thaw the cinders so they are suitable for spreading in the winter. For the last several months, as the building has been under consideration, several township residents have questioned the need for the building, noting that the township already has a cinder building, and that the money to be spent on the building would better be used to improve the roads.
After the bid was opened at tonight's meeting, Mr. Sheaffer asked for a motion to accept the bid. Mr. Tompkins asked to see the specifications for the building and said that although the other supervisors could vote as they wished he was not going to vote for the building until he had seen the specifications. A member of the audience also said that he would like to see the specifications. When asked, Mr. Ayres said he had not seen the specs either.
It was suggested that the issue be tabled or a special meeting be called after time to review the specs and the bid. "I'd like to know what we are spending $81,000 on," Mr. Tompkins said.
Mr. Sheaffer said that the specs had been available in the township office. In answer to a question from the audience, Mr. Sheaffer said the plans call for a dirt floor building with cement sides topped with a wooden frame. He also said that if completed, the two cinder buildings would hold enough cinders for the winter. The new building would be 5,040 square feet (60x84). These are the same dimensions as the cinder buildings in Troy and Union townships.
After some additional comments from the audience, Ms. Blaney suggested that period of time be set for review of the specifications by interested parties, and a special meeting be scheduled to consider approval of the bid. It was agreed to have the plans available for review, and then for the supervisors to meet on July 17 at 2 pm to consider the bid.
The minutes of the June meeting were approved.
Receipts included: Realty Transfer tax, $2,008.82; State Police Fines, $483.88; Earned Income Tax, $988.86; District Court Fines, $40.48; Tioga County Tax Collections, net $2,760.46 (gross $2,832.46 less collections fee of $72 (32 bills at $2.25); Clean up Day, $16; Dust Control Oil (Stauffer), $66;
Bills included: American Rock Salt, $3,323.25; Andrulonis Enterprises for 1B stone, $14,794.53; LeRoy Quarry, Church, Lower Mountain Road, $3,861; LeRoy Quarry, 2RC, #1 stone, for Old Possessions, $6,390.84; Jennings Construction, $1,200 for cinder building plans; Cox, Stokes & Lantz, lawyer fees, $414.75; laptop computer, $300 from Gary's Computer Sales & Service; Barhite Excavating, $750; Five Star Equipment, service on grader, $596,18; Vestal Asphalt, Lower Mountain Road project, $60,168.12. The township reimbursed $2,888.13 to the liquid fuels account from the Lower Mountain Road project.
The treasurer's report was approved with one correction from May. Balances as of June 30: General Fund Checking, $69,272.45; State Fund, $148,274.75; Act 13 Checking, $65,910.50; Act 13 money market, $619,321.26; General Fund Money Market, $79,422.80; Capital Fund CD, $121,243.87.
The township's 2015 Act 13 Impact Fee allotment of $419,565.57 was received and deposited after the treasurer's report was prepared.
On July 16, weather permitting, the township plans to apply dust control on Mountain Ridge, River Road, Old Possessions, Rundell Creek and Church roads, beginning at 8:00 pm. Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Ayres marked the thirty properties that have requested additional dust oil.
Under the road report, Mountain Ridge, River Road, Rundell Creek Road, Church Road, R & E Machmer, Patterson and Welch Mountain Roads have been graded.
Clean-up day was a success.
The tar & chip project on Lower Mountain Road from the Bradford line to the township building has been completed.
Fallen trees were removed from Church, Chase Hill and River roads.
New signs have been erected, included Brown/Rundell Creek; River Road/Rundell Creek.
The ditch on Church Road was opened and once it dries out more work will be done. Mrs. Shedden said that the sluice on Church Road needs some work outside the guide rails.
Ditch work was done on Church and Furman Roads.
Roadside mowing has begun.
Salt was applied on River Road and Mile Hill after grading. A sluice will be installed on Furman Road.
Mr. Tompkins asked about future projects. Mr. Sheaffer said grading is planned for Lower Mountain Road, Gleason, Chase Hill and Brown Roads. Mile Hill needs additional material.
The Supervisors accepted the emergency management plan with corrections. The township voted to adopt the floodplain ordinance with Code Inspections as administrator.
The township is slated to receive $1,234.50 from Tioga County. This will be used for signs.
The township will submit applications for the Dirt & Gravel Road program.
The board voted to pay half the cost for Ms. Blaney to attend Excel training in Elmira on July 21. Canton Township will pay the other half of the expense.
The need for a roller was discussed, including a "lease to purchase" agreement. No decision was made at tonight's meeting.
The Act 13 advisory committee (Harry and Nancy Fisher, Carol Morgan, Gene Segur, Maxine Shedden, Ron Gleckner, Claire Honeywell, and Ray Powly) met earlier in the day and Mr. Fisher gave a report on the meeting.
The committee extended its thanks to the Supervisors for tar & chip work on Lower Mountain Road and complimented the hire of Bob Morgan.
Mrs. Shedden asked about Church and Furman Roads. Mr. Sheaffer said nothing will be done until the ditches dry out. A representative from General Services will be asked to review the road and make recommendations. Mrs. Shedden said that some of the ditches are too deep, some are plugged and some don't exist at all. She said that there are eleven full-time residents on the road, and they are united in the opinion that the township should not tear up the road this year unless the work can be completed before winter. Mr. Sheaffer said plans are to grind the surface, roll it, and oil & chip it, then tar & chip it a year later. The residents, Mrs. Shedden said, would like Church and Furman fixed, but agree that Lower Mountain Road to Gleason Road should be given top priority . "If the ditches on Church and Furman are fixed and some places patched and pot holes filled, we could wait longer," so Lower Mountain Road could be done.
Ray Powly discussed Old Possessions Road. Mr. Sheaffer said that the township is awaiting an engineer's report. Mr. Tompkins said it is a good idea to "have someone who knows what he is doing before we do anything." Mr. Powly said some grading is needed and sluices are needed. He also said, "at least a third of the potholes" repaired earlier "are back." When Mr. Sheaffer said "Old Possessions must wait its turn," Mr. Powly said, "The ditches need work to save the road." Brush also needs to be cut. Ms. Honeywell said "the ditches need to be done; every time it rains, it gets worse."
Talisman donated $7,500 to be used for stone on Mile Hill Road. This work has not yet been done. Mr. Sheaffer said that patch work, mowing, and grading all will be done shortly.
Mr. Fisher said he knows that the Committee has only "the power to suggest and the public to let its views be known."
Mrs. Shedden reported that George Coxe of the Tioga County Board of Elections passed away. Also, a registered voter is needed to be on the township election board because one of the current officials is on the ballot and cannot be a judge for her own election.