Sparks said to fly

Opening the April meeting to standing room only, North Shenango Township Supervisor Jeff Daniels called for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Other supervisors in attendance were Eloise Settlemyre and Bill Emerick. Secretary Denise Gray took the minutes.

The first order of business was the opening of the bids for lawn maintenance for the summer.

There were five bids and the motion carried to hire a seasonal lawn care provider.

This is a matter of public record, and the bid winner can be reviewed at the township building, by appointment.

Jeff Daniels then read from a letter commending the Road Crew for all the good work they have done over the winter and spring. There was plenty of snow and mud and Road Master Don Goodenow and crew have worked hard to pull it all together.

Under Audience Participation, EMA Co-ordinator Lon Sowers spoke up, saying that some citizens have been asking about Nancy Avenue and whether any repairs or paving might be in the offing.

Also, on Nancy Avenue, someone is requesting that "Watch Children" signs be posted.

Road Master Don Goodenow said he will look into both matters.

For the Code Report, Bob Hutton was present at the meeting. He said he is reviewing the Storm Water Management notes for the upcoming meeting.

There were three Code complaints, with two of them receiving notices of violations. The Ash Drive issue continues with clean up and the owner of a premise on Espy Road has requested a demolition permit and controlled burn.

The owner must come and see the Supervisors, as there has been a request to keep the garage part for an accessory use.

There must be an advertisement placed and the property posted.

The Oak Drive property has been inspected; the windows have been shot out and it needs a reconstruction plan. The pond on the property is causing trouble and therefore the water level must be lowered back to its original height.

The Ellis Allotment issue was brought up; there can be no lot sales until the sewer and road are put in.

Someone has complained about some garbage sitting around over in the Fries Road area and a lot is being cleared next to Yorkie’s Ice Cream in Espyville, as there is a business plan in the works.

Under the Road Report, Road Master Don Goodenow was present at the meeting. He and the crew have removed the plows from the trucks and put away the snow fence. Some of the roads have been planed and they continue with maintenance as the frost and cold were bad this year. They also held four safety meetings.

Moving on to the Fire Department, it was apparent that the entire NSVFD 17 House was present at the meeting, including wives, husbands and friends.

John Thomas gave a copy of the Sunshine Law to the Board.

George Nowack then asked to speak stating that he had been asked to speak on behalf on the Fire Department.

He began with the fact that he is a long time resident and he remembers when there was no Fire Department at all in the township.

He also said that the present issues pre-date the current Board.

Nowack went on to mention the Sunshine Laws, according to Code, this relating to the availability of the meeting minutes of 17 House [the name for North Shenango Fire Department].

"...No subsidiary body is required to have copies to take off-site, but is required to have copies, even Supervisors, for the public to see."

He went on to suggest that an Ambulance Service added on to the Fire Department might be an endeavor worth pursuing.

The NSVFD is looking for ways to generate revenue to cover the costs of maintaining a department.

Nowack went on to read a list of the 2010 year calls 17 House has attended, to date, concerning Ambulance related issues.

This department is dependent on the Conneaut Lake Ambulance Service, but noted that some areas of the township are far away and that transport time to area hospitals such as Meadville or Greenville can be a big issue.

He repeated that an Ambulance Service should be considered for NST, and that the ball park figure for start up costs is in the area of $60,000.00.

The financial issues of keeping the Fire Department solvent keep occurring. Since Bingo numbers are way down due to the anti-smoking ban, organizers have adjusted the Bingo Format, even talking to an outside agency for advice.

Now that Tuttle Campground is closed, there will be no tourists coming out to play Bingo at the Fire Hall, either.

Nowack then brought up the other fund raising efforts of the Fire Department, giving figure quotes for each event.

He also quoted the figure of 1,700 "transient residents," or residents who are summer people but don’t reside here year round. These people pay nothing, nor do they donate.

Only 200 of the 1,700 transient residents responded to a call for donations. Most of these residents have buildings or houses on their properties and 17 House has publicly stated that they would still fight any fire or assist in any emergency on any one of these properties, even though the citizens aren’t there at the time or even if they haven’t donated.

The loan and utility bills continue at the Fire Department.

The Gun Raffle continues and the annual Chicken BBQ is planned for summer’s end.

Members need ideas for fund raisers, and there are also grant proposals in the works, even though there is limited grant money available.

George Nowack then mentioned he will be going to Harrisburg to speak to the governor about the Arts, and how important it is to keep funding available for the Arts. This in relation to there being a lot of cuts in funding for all organizations.

He then went on to discuss a worse case scenario if the Fire Department can’t remain solvent, including bank repossession and losing the buildings. The Fire Department would have to move back to the Linn Road facility and equipment would have to be liquidated, culminating in a closure of the NSVFD.

Nowack continued by stressing that there are a lot more people here in the area now than 20 or 30 years ago.

He quoted from the Pa. Municipal Code for elected officials, Article #6, Section #607:

"...a Board must govern... a township. They are required to secure the health and safety of citizens of that township..."

He concluded by saying that the citizens really depend on the Fire Department for help with any type of emergency.

Nowack was very well spoken and articulate, keeping within the focus of an outlined speech. He said he was acting as a 3rd party, not taking one side or another, simply making the statements that the Fire Department had requested of him.

At this time, Supervisor Eloise Settlemyre spoke up, saying she had been hearing rumors that she doesn’t support the Fire Department.

She stated that she comes from a fireman’s family, has worked the NSVFD Saturday’s Bingo, has baked goods and always volunteered, unpaid.

She said she has helped older players see their Bingo cards if they needed help and wanted to allow the use of the Community Center Building.

Supervisor Bill Emerick also spoke: He commended George Nowack on an excellent speech, reminding the public that he is an ex-Cleveland Police Officer. He would like to see a campaign in front of the citizens for help, and doesn’t want to see a tax increase. He wants input from the citizens and wants to know what they think.

The word needs to get out to the citizens of NST that the Fire Department needs help and the public needs to have input on a Fire Tax Proposal.

Secretary Denise Gray then spoke: She claims that the Fire Department locked the doors on her while she was away for some health surgery, and that she was fired .

Secretary Gray alleges that the Fire Department ms-manages their money, wanting to know where the thousands of dollars have gone in 6 years, again alleging that the Department ms-manages their money.

Chairman Jeff Daniels tried to take the floor at this time, swinging his gavel in the air, but George Nowack requested to retain the floor, and to please put personal issues aside.

But Jeff Daniels continued, saying that everyone should read from the Code and that the Fire Department must show proof of financial records and reports.

The meeting became heated at this time, with the Supervisors listing favors of lot usage, storage, garage and building use. Daniels went on to mention the $6,000.00 that the NST Board of Supervisors had given the Fire Department recently.

He repeated that the Fire Department must submit financial reports to them, the Board, if the money is from the Supervisors.

This started a big discussion about a Fire Tax and what the millage could be, if one were to be implemented.

John Thomas spoke, saying that the Bingo machines have been upgraded at the Community Center. He wanted to know why none of the Supervisors ever come to the Fire Department meetings.

There was no response to this, but the statement was made that the figures and quotes from the Fire Department keep changing .

This sparked a lively and long discussion.

John Thomas stated that they do have some final figures available on running the department, including any "rocks," like broken equipment and unforeseen emergencies.

Jeff Daniels again mentioned the use of the building, along with other "freebies" provided by the township. He wants to know if the books are open.

Thomas replied that the books are always open, to come on up to the Fire Department and check. He also said that an outside auditor comes in to review the books.

Mike White stood at this time, making a statement that referred to Secretary Gray’s remark, "Where did all that money go, you say? Well, I think that comment is offensive to me."

Former Supervisor Joel Brown spoke, asking what the annual amount is to run the Fire Department, that there had been an issue with some figures, either $54,000 or $44,000 and that there is a blame game going on. He said that people need an answer and everybody needs to move forward and work together to find some money to help the Fire Department.

Someone made the statement that former Supervisors Herbster and Brown had raised taxes to cover poor management.

Someone speculated that money could be squeezed from Township Management, therefore an approximate 1/2 mill could be found, with no new taxes added.

Jeff Daniels again stated that the public needed to be tested in an opinion poll on a Fire Tax.

None of the Board has suggested how this Opinion Poll would be conducted or when.

Joel Brown again stated that the township itself needs to tighten its belt.

At this time, Captain Graczyk stood and said that he would like NST Township to pay the current mortgage payment of $1,700.00, that the Fire Department was that strapped for money. He said the bill is due at the Andover Bank.

At this point, the three Supervisors, along with Secretary Gray, huddled together at the front of room, speaking in hushed tones.

There was no call by the Chairman for an Executive Session. This private conference was held in front of the public attending the meeting.

After time, the Chairman then announced a motion to pay the mortgage bills for the Fire Department, for the rest of the 2010 year: a total of $13,600.00 to Andover Bank, with intent to revisit this issue in January to discuss ideas.

The motion carried unanimously to pay the bill until January, with intent to revisit.

The Board stated that they want proof of payment to Andover Bank.

Citizen Richard Barabas stood at this time, remarking that he had been mad at the NST Board at first, but then he commended them for stepping forward and helping the Fire Department.

He went on to say that old Ben Lennon and Archie Barabas and a few others had started the Fire Department, donated the land and garage, etc.

It was with the understanding that the Supervisors and Fire Department were to share all of the buildings.

He mentioned the rumors of how the Fire Department was spending their money, going on to say that the Founding Members are either deceased or retired now.

He also spoke of mutual aid with Andover FD and others, and that bigger things were to be coming to the area, sidewalks in downtown Espyville being one and an Ambulance Service being another.

Barabas concluded by saying he hoped everyone would work together from here on out.

The entire NSVFD then stayed on to attend the rest of the meeting

From here, the agenda moved to the Parks and Rec Department: Bill Lee is requesting a Sewer Exemption at the NST Community Center. He, too, is looking for ways to save money.

Secretary Gray informed him to go to the NSSJMA to speak with them for his request.

Joel Brown, back on the Fire Department issue, stated aloud that South Shenango Township does not have a Fire Department of their own, but that NSVFD helps out with emergencies there, including manning the emergency boat for Pymatuning Lake.

He believes, in his opinion, that SST needs to help out with expenses.

This sparked a discussion about any possible state money that might be available for the VFD.

For the Crime Watch Report, Tony and Linda Durnye were present at the meeting. Tony Durnye will be absent from the May Shenango Crime Watch meeting, which will be held Thursday, May 20, at 7:00pm in SST at the Collins Road building.

He went on to say that the Community Center in Espyville is of vital importance to people, especially area seniors. He said it is very expensive to run the building, with heat and electric.

He concluded by saying that he hopes everyone pulls together and works things out.

Moving on, Lon Sowers was present to give the EMA Report: Sowers continues attending classes on Emergency Management, there was a tornado drill, a major rescue on the lake in which he commended all who volunteered to help out, and he was very happy with the final result of that rescue. He commended the Fire Department and John Thomas for their efforts.

He also put in a request to the Supers for reimbursement on some ink cartridges.

Mike White of 17 VFD House stood again, publicly commending Lon Sowers for his efforts on the recent boat rescues out on the lake.

George Nowack of the Zoning Hearing Board briefly concurred with Bob Hutton on some issues, one being the Money property on Espy Road; the two discussed a "hardship" for the property and the proposed demolition to take place there.

There was nothing from the Sewer Authority.

The motion then carried unanimously to pay all the bills, followed by the motion carrying unanimously to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

From here, Correspondence received and sent was discussed, these items can be viewed as a matter of public record, by appointment at the NST building on Linn Road.

The motion carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting. NST Supervisors meet every second Monday of the month at 6:30pm, the public is invited to attend.