December 13, 2001 Maidencreek Supervisor's Meeting:
Township Employees to Join Teamster's Union:
At the previous meeting we voted two recognize the union contingent upon 3rd party recognition of the signature cards. I preferred using a secret ballot by a 3rd party to determine the union question, but was opposed 2 to 1.
The union has been recognized, and a draft of a contract was presented. We voted to accept the contract provided the union agrees not to compel employees to join the union, the Penna. Labor Relations replaces the NRLB (likely typo in the draft), and a management rights clause is added.
Police:
I neglected to mention this in the report on last month’s meeting. With the large increase in the police charges to Maidencreek Township, and the news reported in the paper that Leesport had given notice of pulling out of the regional police force, the supervisors voted to give the police a letter of intent that Maidencreek would pull out of the regional police force. A one year notice is needed to pull out, and with the large year 2001 increase, it seems giving the township the option of pulling out is the best way to keep our options open for year 2002.
Martin Retirement Village:
This establishment continues to leak sewage on its neighbors. Citations have been issued, and I moved that we pump the septic system and charge the owner. This motion passed unanimously and will be the first use of our pumping ordinance. The property owner will have a lien placed on his property, if he fails to pay the pumping bill. The owner has been told to provide the Township with receipts to prove adequate pumping, but he has never done so. The ultimate goal is to hook this system to the public sewer, but the property owner’s progress with the plan resembles Zeno’s paradox. (Achilles never reaches his goal since he can only move half way there at a time.)
Burning Ordinance:
The burning ordinance was discussed. There was some debate about burning in R2 zoning. We decided to table the ordinance. It has since been brought to our attention that the ordinance needs to be passed by 12/31 to make the township eligible for state grant money for leaf recycling equipment. We will schedule a special meeting before the end of the year.
Budget:
The 2002 budget along with the 0.25 mil tax increase was passed. Remember, this is a tax increase that will yield about $85,000 in the face of a $110,000 Police increase. See last month’s meeting for budget details.
Storm Water:
Mark Kutzmuller and Attorney Orwig presented an updated draft of the storm water ordinance. This integrated the previous ideas into the flood plane ordinance.
More complete history of this issue is available at The Storm Water Zone.
paid for by Roy Timpe