April 13, 1993

The hearing for the variance request of Michael Siverling, 6041
Old State Road, held in the Township office, was called to order
by Chairman Herbert Netzler at 1955 hours.  Present were Netzler,
Benjamin Sitek and David Henderson. 

Chairman Netzler asked for comments.  No comments.

Hearing adjourned at 1958 hours.

The meeting of the Supervisors of Franklin Township, held in the
Township office, was called to order by Chairman Herbert Netzler
at 2003 hours with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present were
Netzler, Benjamin Sitek, David Henderson, George Antolik, Pat
Leisenring and visitors.

EMERGENCY MEETING, APRIL 2, 1993
Netzler announced that an emergency meeting was held on April 2
to declare the Township roads a disaster so the Township can
apply for reimbursement of expenses.

MINUTES
Henderson moved to approve the minutes of March 25 and April 2 as
presented.  Sitek seconded.  Carried.

VISITORS
Clarence Mischler - asked about several properties the are
located across township lines.  Who gets the tax money from such
properties like the former Oas and Nellis parcels?

Henderson - whichever piece of property holds the buildings or
has the larger portion determines which township gets the tax
money.  Dave and Clarence will check with the Assessment office.

Denver Ireland - will the roads be improved?

Henderson - most of our gravel money for this year was spent in
the last two weeks.  We will do some ditching.

Ben Sitek, Jr. - will we get some money back on the blizzard
expenses?

Henderson - any money we get back will only replace money spent. 
There won't be any extra.  Even if we get money back, it will
come after road season is over.

Ireland - how can you pave Fry?  I'd like to see other roads
improved instead of paving one road even if the residents and
Washington Twp. are coming up with 75% of the money.

Henderson - Fry was scheduled back in February before the
blizzard or the bad spring conditions.

Sitek - only 16 cents on a dollar comes to this Township.  A
budget of $240,000 with 32 miles of road doesn't go very far. 
Only $170,000 of that budget is for roads.

Netzler - 1.6% comes to the Township.  Money going to Erie for
the civic center, new library etc. is frustrating.

Sitek - people in the Township should go the the County and their
legislators.  Entitlement communities get money handed to them
just because they have 4,000 or more people.  Look at the
distressed communities list.  It's headed by Summit Twp. with all
their growth.  As a group we need to address our legislators.  A
citizens committee might help.

Netzler - this road mess may be a blessing in disguise.  Everyone
knows lists aren't fair, the rules need to be changed.  We're
next to the last on the grant list.  The residents of this
Township make too much money.  The County average is $26,581, the
Township average is $32,174.

Henderson - we get $57,000 real estate tax a year.  To completely
rebuild one mile of road with gravel costs $20,000, that's seven
mills of tax.  Every additional mile would be a 6 or 7 mill
increase.  We spent $15,000 on stone for the sink holes.

Sitek - if this had been an ordinary winter, we would be okay. 
This year was extraordinary.

Leisenring Complaint - Mrs. Leisenring - feels the plowing on
Eureka north of W. Stancliff was worse this year.  She stated
that the brine creates slush, road wasn't plowed, cinders or
anti-skid were almost nonexistent, adding that she went around to
avoid the hill several times.  "You're paid by the state, is it
used strictly for state roads?"

Netzler - no, it's used in the winter budget.  The state doesn't
expect us to use it all on their roads.  You don't have to use
100% of the money for state roads.

Leisenring - I tried to reach Dave DeLoosa.  I talked to Scott
Young about the problem.  He wants a copy of the letter I sent to
you.  PennDOT will start a review program to see if roads are
being properly cared for.  My biggest fear is whether I can get
home.  It's your responsibility to check these roads.

Sitek - when did we use brine on that road?

Henderson - never, we wouldn't dare.

Mr. Leisenring - when did you cinder?

Henderson - ask Ray our driver how often he cindered.

Ray Swift - often, every night.

Hugh Crandall - that road is well plowed compared to the State.

Henderson - that's a secondary road.  The amount of cinders will
not be like that used on a main road.  Cinders cost $100 a load. 
To cinder each road completely would require a major amount of
money.  Discussion on use of salt crystals as anti-skid.

Netzler - salt crystals do not work on cold temperatures below 20
degrees.  It will freeze over.  Salt brine is good to minus 40
degrees.  You can't use salt brine on Eureka hill, it would ruin
the road in the spring.  The Board can address whether to keep
the trucks out to sweep the roads off after brine is used on the
blacktops.

Sitek to Leisenring - you added in your letter that the roads
were better when Herb was roadmaster, where did you get that?
   
Leisenring - I heard it from another Township.

Sitek - Herb hasn't been roadmaster for three years.  How long
have you lived on Eureka?

Leisenring - only a couple of years.

Sitek - you were misinformed on the use of brine.  When the sun
is out the snow turns to slush.  What roads get done first?  Only
your road?

Leisenring - when you have a dangerous condition, you should be
there to tend to the road.  The cinders are on the side of the
road not in the center.

Henderson - cinders on ice are blown off with the next car. 
They're on ice with nothing to stick to.

Ed Mumau - when we first moved onto Eureka north eight years ago,
the roads weren't even plowed until 10 a.m.  Roads are cared for
better now.  My only complaint is my mailbox was hit twice.
Discussion on mailbox placement.

Henderson - hopefully the holes on Silverthorn are stabilizing. 
We'll coat them with gravel.  For the time being, we'll stay off
because heavy trucks will do further damage.  Even though the
road was closed 2 or 3 fuel delivery trucks and garbage trucks
were on it, some just to get to another road.  There were 10 4 x
4s playing in the mud on it.  How many people on our roads made
an effort to reduce their trips up and down them.

REPORTS
Superintendent - Dave reported that mud and sink holes were
repaired, $15,000 was spent.  A heavy rain would be a help.

Federal Disaster Assistance - Dave reported that the paperwork is
ready but waiting for a bill from Jim Strand.  The forms will be
sent Federal Express.

County Emergency Aid - Herb said to apply and stomp up and down. 
He added that the county liquid fuel fund in not just for
bridges.  He suggested calling Ann Maries, filling out the form,
taking it to the ECATO meeting and standing firm.

Letter to PennDOT - letter will be sent to Don Dolecki.

FINANCIAL AND TAXES
Bills - Sitek moved to approve the bill list as presented less PA
One Call totaling $7,039.64 general fund and $16,238.36 state
fund.  Henderson seconded.  Carried.

Payroll - Henderson moved to approve payroll #7-93.  Sitek
seconded.  Carried.

Computer Update - nothing.
Industrial Parks - next meeting.

PLANNING, ZONING AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Western Trails Subdivision, George Antolik - Hugh Crandall
reported that the only problem the Planning Commission had was
that there were no utility easements on the three future roads.

Antolik - presented a covenant agreement between the developer
and purchaser.  He added that the utilities will run down the
road right-of-way.

Henderson - bond is needed in the agreement before the final plan
is signed.  The purpose of the bond is for you to agree to
develop the road according to the subdivision ordinance.  If we
sign off on the final plan, there's no more recourse with the
developer.  Approve the final plan contingent on the developers
agreement.

Antolik - the bond assures that the Township will accept the road
when completed.

Henderson - no, we don't have to take that road.  Before we sign
the final plan, you have to bring the road up to the standard
listed in the subdivision ordinance.  If you fly the coup, the
bond brings the road up to standards.  We determine the rules
according to the subdivision ordinance.  We may never accept the
road.  You get your bond money back when the road is brought up
to standards.  Residents are responsible for the road.  Why would
we take over 1000' of road for one house, that's a long driveway.
 The anticipation is to take it over though.

Antolik - I'll put up the bond, bring the road up to standards,
get the bond back and then you take it over.

Henderson - no, if there are 5 or 6 houses we will probably take
it over.  One house, no.  That is the chance you take when you
decide to create a subdivision.  Approve the plan contingent on
the agreement.  Have the Solicitor check it over.  The road
surface is a problem.  What do we do?

Antolik - can you change the ordinance?  Dave answered yes but it
would take 2 or 3 months.

Netzler - send the agreement to the Solicitor and handle this at
the next Thursday morning meeting.

Siverling Variance Request - Henderson moved to accept the
variance request.  Sitek seconded.  Carried.

Article on DER Sewer Regulations - the article said that DER will
inspect septics once a year.  If it does not meet or cannot be
made to meet specs., the home owner will have to vacate his
property.  Herb said that this is law now.  The Health Dept. told
him that when they send us a letter, we'll have to comply.

Sitek - this is what Russia just got rid of, this is communism.

Henderson - DER makes their own rules, the legislators didn't
vote for this.  There's a meeting coming up in May, we'll attend.

M.D.I.A. - Dave asked why we need an ordinance to adopt a fee
schedule, we always just set the fees.

OLD BUSINESS
Old Town Hall Clean Up - deadline is April 19, 1993.

Sesquicentennial - Dave reported that Bob Berry will do the
writing during the summer months.  He, Bob and Edith will have a
planning meeting and will report back to the Board.

Safety Meetings - nothing.
Roof Leaks - nothing.
Goodban School Clean Up - deadline is May 1, 1993
Cable TV - waiting for Federal regulations to be written.
Russell Standard Contract - contract signed.

Auction - Dave reported that it was a good auction.  The 1-ton
brought $1,100, the Ford F150 brought $1,750.

Mitchell House Fire - will discuss more on April 22.

Occupant of Greiner Property - Ben reported that the complaint
was that he had a business.  He told Ben that his business is in
Erie. 

Ralph Breiding - he's burning 3 or more loads every day.

Ben said he will take a copy of the Nuisance Ordinance with him
and visit the occupant.  He will report back next meeting.

ADJOURN
Netzler called the meeting adjourned at 2147 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary