Supervisor George Greig called the Conneaut Township Board of Supervisors to order for the July meeting. Supervisor Timothy Greig was also in attendance. Supervisor Jake Lisbon was absent.

Secretary Telce Varee took the minutes.

Some of the 6 citizens questioned whether Jake Lisbon was still on the Board and still collecting payroll. Someone else mentioned having seen the man out in a hayfield and also at Wal-Mart in Meadville.

The public had a chance to peruse the minutes from the previous meeting, along with the receipts and expenditures, and Supervisor George Greig asked if anyone had any comments.

There being none the motion carried unanimously to accept the minutes, the motion also carried unanimously to pay all the bills.

Supervisor George Greig then announced that the date for the September meeting has been changed from the second Tuesday to the first Tuesday; therefore the CT Board meeting is scheduled for September 7, 2010.

The State Auditor has completed the audit and all findings check out.

Citizens of CT must now pay ahead on all permits for driveways and culverts.

There has been no progress on the cement contracting for the new equipment building and all fuel quotes and stone quotes are being reviewed.

Under Correspondence: A fax has been sent to Appalachian Geophysical Services about their seismic survey testings out on Maple and Steamburg Roads.

There has been no response from the company, but CT Road Crews have removed all survey markers, as mowing and ditching continues throughout the summer.

The Supers then remarked how the State is not mowing anything and weeds are very tall. There is no longer an Agility Program for help.

Moving on, Supervisor George Greig then brought up the issue of the legislation that is currently in the Pa. House and Senate regarding the elimination of townships and community-based local governments.

HB 2431 and Senate Bill 1357 will create a "Boundary Commission" that would create a constitutional amendment to establish the County as the local level of government, forcing the merger of townships and boroughs.

HB 2341 would make community-based local government "Unconstitutional" and give the "Boundary Commission" the authority to deem townships "unable to provide for the safety, welfare and health of its citizens."

The County government would have oversight of all municipal operations such as land use, zoning issues, sanitation, roads, safety and health and also law enforcement, thus making all decisions for the people.

All determinations of inadequacy for health, safety and welfare would be sent to the Pa. General Assembly for a vote and boundary changes would take effect immediately.

However, two locations in the state would not be touched by this new legislation and would be beyond the reach of the "Boundary Commission;" they are Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The monthly newsletter for township supervisors, "PSATS," is urging all townships to take notice and is putting them on the alert to pass resolutions oppose any attempt at mergers and forced consolidation or elimination of local governments.

State Representatives and Senators should be provided with copies of these resolutions to be submitted as evidence in any upcoming legislative hearings.

HB 2431 and SB 1357 would radically change the way Pennsylvanians and you are governed by forcing these mergers and establishing the County as the basic level of government.

Citizens are urged to attend their local township Supervisors meetings while they still can to stay informed on this very important issue.

Please act now and let your State Representatives and Senators know that you oppose this legislation. These bills seek to change the State Constitution of Pennsylvania. PSATS is the Pa. State Association of Township Supervisors. Their website is

www.psats.org.

The names of the sponsors for these bills were not mentioned.

CT will be advertising the intent to pass a resolution opposing any forced mergers and will be in contact with townships Solicitor Alan Shaddinger.

Citizens should note that their local officials who have been elected by them also live and work in their local communities. Forced mergers would eliminate any local interest in issues and needs that citizens face in their respective townships. All decisions would be out of the hands of township officials and the County would decide everything, including taxes.

Other legislation that lawmakers have already passed is the "Nonprofit Sales of Homemade Food; Act 31, 2010."

This has amended the Public Eating and Drinking Law, Act 369 of 1945, to eliminate (exempt) any food or drink prepared in a private home and then donated to a 501c3 organization such as a volunteer fire department, any church, veteran, civic sportsman, ag fair or ag association or any youth recreation agency.

The General Assembly has already passed this and the above description is a summary.

This means you cannot donate food to any of these organizations and that such food will be taxed.

This Act takes effect on August 2, 2010.

A letter has been sent from CT and the CT Solicitor to Wally Bolharsky in regard to sexually oriented businesses and the Ordinance recently passed in CT. Mr. Bolharsky has one year to comply to the new Ordinance. This includes building code and handicap access.

Auctions continue out at the West Center Road site and several citizens complained that the dumpster is over flowing and needs emptied at the Rt. 6 "Wally’s Paradise." location

For the Road Report, mowing, ditching and oiling of roads continues throughout the summer. The Crew will be applying tar and chips on some roads, also.

A female citizen spoke up to say thank you for mowing and treating her road.

Someone complained about a sign on Beaver Road and Rt. 6; the Sam Miller Firewood Advertisement is allegedly blocking the view at the intersection and motorists are having a difficult time seeing, thus there is a safety issue.

The Supers said they will look into it.

Having no further business, the Supers passed the motion unanimously to adjourn for the afternoon.

The Conneaut Township Supervisors meet every second Tuesday of the month at 5:00pm. The public is invited to attend.