July 27, 2000

The meeting of the Supervisors of Franklin Township, held in the Township 
office, was called to order by Chairman John Sachar at 0803 hours with the 
Pledge of Allegiance.  Present were Sachar, Denver Ireland, David Henderson 
and June Shelhamer.

HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST FOR A HOME OCCUPATION, 
DAN AND KATHY NETZLER, 11401 SILVERTHORN ROAD-0803 HOURS

No comments from the public.

Ireland - if we ever paved the road, frost laws would be in effect in the spring.

Sachar - our understanding is that Dan would limit access to the road during 
those months.

No decision on the request was made until the Board can talk to Dan and Kathy 
Netzler.  Sachar recessed the hearing at 0810 hours.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
June Shelhamer - I would like to get my comments on the proposed night-light at 
the corner of Eureka and Old State on record.  I think that the light would be a 
waste of money.  With the light, you can't see car lights coming over the hill at 
night.  Others in the area feel the same way.  I have no problem with 
underground wires on my property but I think it would make that corner worse 
instead of better.

Sachar - do you have any ideas on ways to improve that corner?  Shelhamer 
answered no.

Henderson - the problem is sight distance.  The best solution is to cut the bank 
down and remove some of the trees on Hinkle's property.  He won't allow it to be 
done unless the State condemns the property and widens the right-of-way. 

Shelhamer - Fry and Old State is a worse corner.

Henderson - the objective was to have motorists on Old State be more aware of 
and more respectful of that intersection.  A light at an intersection demands more 
respect of motorists.

Shelhamer - could you make Eureka one way turning east and west.

Henderson - it would be easier to condemn Hinkle's property.

MINUTES
Henderson moved to approve the minutes of 7/11/00 as presented.  Ireland 
seconded.  Carried.

REPORTS
Superintendent - Dave reported that the crew has been working on the Francis 
and Silverthorn pipe replacements.  Francis is done.  He suggested that the other 
Board members go look at the replacement of guide rail on the south berm of 
Francis.  He doesn't think it is needed on the south side but is needed on the 
north berm.  Dave suggests a north berm guide rail only.  The pipe replacement 
is two 42" pipes side by side.  Silverthorn will be finished today.  It has two 36" 
pipes side by side.

Mager Tree Report - nothing.

Agility - the State authorized another mowing round on their roads.  Will use the 
money to finish seal coating the rest of Fry Road. 

Falls Road Bridge #2 - the guide rail was moved back to approximately where it 
was.  This will fall under the bridge contract and 80% will be paid by the State.  
This addition to the contract was done very quickly.  Russell Standard put binder 
in on the radius for support at no cost.  Mark Corey will suggest edge lines and a 
centerline.

Bridge Dedication Ceremony - Senator Earll's office called and said that she 
would like to attend a ceremony.  Discussion on having a dedication.

Ireland - have it in the evening after work.

Will set a date in September when the plaque is received.

Speed Limit/Jake Brake Prohibition - Dave said that he is working on the jake 
brake problem.  John Waitkus of PennDOT will be coming to look the area over 
which is one of their requirements.  A speed limit ordinance will coincide with the 
jake brake issue.

Generator - nothing.

Airport Millings - work begins August 14th and will be done at night.  Hopefully 
PennDOT will be done with their seal coating and the upper lot will be available 
for storage of the millings.  Estimates are 1950 tons with half going to Russell 
Standard for the cost of hauling.  They estimate two nights using ten trucks.  If 
our lot is not available, we'll ask ESTA if it can be stored on their property.

Ireland - how much more will we get?

Henderson - I'll have to look it up and report back.

Gravel Roads Program - nothing.

FINANCIAL AND TAXES
Bills - discussion on various bills.  Pennzoil-Quaker State is going out of the fuel 
business.  The Co-op contract will be reassigned.  Dave stated that he hired 
Russell Standard's trackhoe for 1« days on the Francis pipe job.  Ireland moved 
to pay the bills as listed totaling $9,943.08 general fund.  Sachar seconded.  
Carried.

Payroll - Sachar moved to approve payroll #15-00 as presented.  Henderson 
seconded.  Carried.

PLANNING, ZONING, HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Planning Commission Minutes - nothing.

Update Comprehensive Plan/Vision Committee - Dave said that we need to 
think about how to get the comprehensive plan written.  He suggested asking 
Joyce Berry to get some Edinboro students to work on it.  They can have a copy 
of the Grainey plans done for several east county townships.

Ireland - for the next newsletter, send the residents a copy of the zoning map so 
they know what the zoning is now.

Industrial Park/KOZ - a document was received from Washington Township on 
their plans for upgrades.  They are applying to update their Act 537 plan that will 
include capacity for Franklin Township that will open up our KOZ.  The Girard 
Industrial Development group is waiting for the sewer problem to be cleared up.

Sanders Mylar - County Planning had already signed the Mylar before it was 
approved by the Planning Commission.  Henderson moved to preapprove the 
Sanders Mylar pending the Planning Commission's approval and signatures.  
Ireland seconded.  Carried.

Discussion on Storage Trailers - Dave reported that a discussion was held at 
the County Cooperative Purchasing meeting on storage trailers.  The County 
assessors ignore them.  There are no taxes paid on them.  Possible solutions are 
to get the County assessors to tax them like any other building or to charge a 
permit fee for every six-month period that they are on the property.  Currently the 
Township allows two 6-month temporary permit periods for them.  The objective 
is to not have them there in the first place.  They are not allowed in any zoning 
district within the Township.  The problem is with people who pull them in, the 
wheels fall off and they are there forever.  If that happens and the County doesn't 
assess them, we can create our own assessment, $50 for every six months that 
they are on the property.  One hundred dollars a year would be more than we'd 
get from a County assessment.

Attorney George Schroeck arrived at 0851 hours.

Ireland - charge a $50 permit fee as soon as they want to bring one in.

Henderson - can we start sending bills as soon as an ordinance is passed?

Ireland - can we charge without an ordinance?

Sachar - no, you need an ordinance.

Henderson - the question is, can we permit them on a continuing basis?  Are 
those that predate the ordinance grandfathered?  Can we charge just like County 
Assessment would bill them?

Sachar - can we bill them even though they were there before the ordinance?

Schroeck - my gut feeling is that once an ordinance is passed, you can charge.  
Make the fee commensurate with the fee to inspect a trailer.  What about extra 
trailers for the truckers?

Henderson - we have about six in the Township.

Ireland - what about ground-level storage trailers?

Will call PSATS for a sample ordinance.

SOLICITOR
Western Trail/G. Antolik - we have not heard anything from the independent 
engineer.  Will make a request for information through Attorney Moorhead.

Impact Fee Ordinance - nothing.

Buren Subdivision - discussion on the history of the property.  Schroeck stated 
that it's very confusing because land was transferred out of the original parcel.

Henderson - the objective was to save them the surveying fee but if it's not 
possible, it's not possible.
 
Schroeck - send them a letter saying that the best and cleanest method is to 
have a survey done.  I would like to help them but it's a real mess.

Henderson - it will be a big job, probably a $5,000 bill.  If nothing happens, they 
have three houses on one parcel.  She originally had three parcels.

Sachar moved to authorize Attorney Schroeck to send a letter to the Burens 
saying that without a survey, it is impossible to do a deed.

Caldwell/Silverthorn Road - discussion on the weight limit on the paved section 
of Silverthorn.  In answer to Ireland, Henderson said that the 10-ton weight limit 
is in effect during spring frost time.  The other question is the zoning issue.  Past 
practice is Finley Horn.  He is an example of a good past practice.  Billy Roberts 
is an example of a bad past practice.  The question is what to do about it.

Schroeck - pass an ordinance that the owner/operator of a single truck/trailer is 
exempt.  Carve an exemption for a single truck owner/operator so he can bring 
his vehicle home.

Henderson - Danny Netzler is doing it the right way with his proposed building.  It 
will be big enough to park the truck inside.  The concern is running heavy loads 
over the roads.  Finley, Danny and Caldwell all have to drive over state roads 
before they get to ours.

Schroeck - have an exemption for owner/operators.

Sachar - if you are an owner/operator you have to have a conditional use permit 
for a home occupation and must comply with any restrictions put on the 
conditional use.

Schroeck - it's possible for an operator to have three trailers, a flat bed, box 
trailer and a refrigerated unit.

Sachar - you're saying we can carve an exception for one class of resident?

Schroeck - you're saying a zoning and a roads exception?  Sachar answered 
yes.

Henderson - I wouldn't want an exception during March, April and May.

OLD BUSINESS
Lights on for Safety - REA did the survey but gave no prices.
Census - nothing.
Recycle Day/Junk Cars - ready to start the junk car pick up.
FTVFD - will try to schedule them for next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS
Abandoned Gas Wells - all the area gas wells have been abandoned by the 
owner of the leases.  The wells are on and not being maintained which creates a 
safety hazard.  Discussion on how to remedy the situation. 

Erie County Flag Foundation Request - Henderson moved to send the 
Foundation a check for $250 in payment for a Franklin Township block to be 
placed at the flag site in Fairview Township.  Ireland seconded.  Carried.

Henderson - it will be a source of pride and very impressive to see a flag of that 
size flying.  This is a one-time expense.  I think every other municipality should 
be involved also.

Building Codes - Denver asked what the requirements are now for building 
permits.

Henderson - we have no requirements yet on building inspections.  REA and 
GPU require electrical inspections.  The regulations are in the process of being 
drafted.  Best estimate is a year from now or January of 2002.

CORRESPONDENCE
Reviewed.

ADJOURN
Sachar called to meeting adjourned at 1005 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary