November 30, 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, 
Reporter Tim Hahn, Neil Bullock and Linda King from Northwestern RECA and 
Eric Kicher, DEP.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Henderson - we are interested in preserving long-term low density housing in 
Franklin Township by limiting potential problems with on-lot septic systems.  One 
way to preserve them is to maintain them and to look at innovative plans.  One 
plan is where new septic systems are serviced by REA with DEP reimbursing 
costs at 50%.  This is in effect a reimbursement to the homeowner.

Linda King - we would maintain the septic system after it is in the ground.  There 
may be available reimbursement at 85%.

Eric Kicher - I will look into that, it is at least 50%.

King - you would contract the administrative responsibility to REA.  Neal Bullock 
is a SEO and we will have another soon.  You don't want to set up the program 
as mandatory.

Henderson - new systems or repaired systems would be required to be under a 
managed system.  We get 6 to 10 new houses a year and maybe 1 or 2 repairs a 
year.  We could have a voluntary sign-up as well.  We would concentrate on new 
systems.  In 10 or 15 years everyone's systems will fail and then they would 
come under the program.

King - we are trying to get the monthly fee down to $13-$15 with 50% 
reimbursement.  We would bill the Township once a year.

Kicher - the quicker your figures are sent in, the quicker the reimbursement 
comes back.  If the figures are in by the end of the year, you should get your 
reimbursement by March the following year.

King - we do a walk over once a year inspection.  On small-flow systems, we do 
an inspection twice a year.

Henderson asked if parts and labor are included?  King said no, only simple 
repairs.  Replacement parts are not included.  The new REA system has a two-
year warranty.

Henderson - our small-flow treatment facilities require a $1,000 escrow bond.  If 
we require a larger bond on a new system, the interest may cover the costs.

Kicher - the reimbursement would cover administrative costs.

King - REA would cover the costs for a year before you'd be reimbursed.  If you 
back out the reimbursement and add interest, the difference is the cost to the 
customer.  About 80% of your residents are co-op customers.  Current cost to the 
customer is $12.95/m for a conventional system; $19.95/m for a sand-mound and 
$24.95/m for a small-flow treatment facility.

Ireland asked what the charge is for the REA system?  King said $24.95/month.

Henderson - do we need an updated 537 plan?  Kicher answered that you'd 
need an ordinance to update it.  Attorney's fee to update is at the 50% 
reimbursement rate.

King asked if we would be interested in a voluntary plan?  Henderson said yes, it 
would be cost effective for any newer system to be involved.

Ireland - what is the charge for a service call?

King - $85 for a two-hour visit.  Pumping fees can be $150 per 1,000-gallon tank.  
We have a three-year contract that the homeowner would sign.   

Neil Bullock - if you're not on the program and you want us to check your 
system, you pay for the whole thing.  If you are on the program, it's $13 a month.

Kicher - as far as I know now, pumping fees are not reimbursed.

Sachar - put it all down on paper and get back to us.  Will return for the January 
25th meeting at 8 a.m.

Attorney Felicia Schroeck arrived at 0820 hours.

MINUTES
Henderson moved to approve the minutes of 10/26; 11/8; 11/13 and 11/14 as 
presented.  Sachar seconded.  Carried.

REPORTS
Superintendent - Dave reported on the big snowstorm that we had last week.  
Crew is in the process of repairing the Oshkosh's hydraulics.  We will replace the 
hydraulic pump and gearbox on it.  The parts are on order.  A 35-gallon pump 
was ordered.  This is the crew's waiting week for unemployment.  Lay-off began 
the week of Nov. 26th.  Larry Pieper is available for work again beginning 
Monday.  Larry, Ray and Gerry are not on unemployment and are available.  The 
one-ton's transmission was sent out for inspection.

Mager Tree Report - nothing.

Agility - John asked how many times PennDOT plowed Old State and Crane 
during last week's storm.  Henderson answered about five times.

Ireland - did we get any complaints?  I think we should plow.  Deicing is another 
story.  I saw enough cars in the ditch last week.

Henderson - yes, we received complaints.  Once it's plowed, it becomes a 
skating rink.  You can't plow without deicing.

Felicia Schroeck - we can make our own determination of a co-product.  Deicing 
is outside the DEP general permit.  We can determine on our own that our brine 
is a co-product and can make it official with them that it is acceptable.

Henderson - that is the way we should go, to protect ourselves.

Schroeck - if the testing is done today, I can call DEP and make an appointment 
to have a determination on whether our brine is acceptable.

Sachar - get it all done as soon as possible so we can get back on schedule.

Schroeck - without their determination, they can come back on us.

Sachar - what happens if we make a determination and they come back on us?

Schroeck - I don't know if there would be a fine.  I don't think they're thinking of it 
as a big deal right now.

Sachar - if our figures are on the low side, I'd be confident in using our product.

Henderson - we may not have done any better than PennDOT last weekend.  I 
was the only one moving and I was in the grader and still went in the ditch.  The 
problem is we're not testing for all that DEP tested for on the test sheet from 
them.  We're testing for what was on the general permit.

Schroeck - if they are only concerned with what's in the permit, we'll be okay.  I'll 
call and check.  I don't think we'll need extra tests done.

Generator. Gravel Road Program, Girard Twp./Gudgeonville Rd. - nothing.

FINANCIAL AND TAXES
Bills - discussion on various bills.  Henderson moved to approve the bill list for 
payment totaling $10,535.78 general fund; $7,772.95 EIT fund; $1,600.00 
equipment fund and $96.70 municipal building fund.  Ireland seconded.  Carried.

Payroll - Sachar moved to approve payroll #24-00, Ireland seconded.  Carried.

PLANNING, ZONING, RECREATION, SAFETY AND HEALTH
Municipalities Planning Code - Dave reported that Act 67 and 68 made 
changes to the Municipalities Planning Code.  The State is pushing with these 
Acts toward the regionalizing of planning and zoning.  We've done that in a 
sense with the KOZ.  We should more formally investigate regional planning and 
zoning and may be able to create a more reasonable growth plan with our 
neighbors.

Ireland asked if that will eliminate our planning commission?  Henderson said it 
could create a combined planning commission that could eliminate ours.

Sachar - don't we have a regional plan through the County?

Henderson - not completely, their comprehensive plan does not specifically 
reflect our resident's wishes.  Our comprehensive plan must reflect our resident's 
wishes.  We're talking regional, our school district.  Under the new law, local and 
county plans must be generally consistent.  We have general consistency with 
the KOZ area.  I don't know who has to make their plan consistent, if our 
residents want something, the county should meet ours.

Sachar - I think they are above us. Ours must meet theirs.

Ireland - the county is writing a plan that is good for them.  What's good for 
Millcreek isn't good for Franklin Township.

Henderson - it wouldn't hurt to have regional discussions.  We could send a 
letter to our neighbors or we could just talk it up.  McKean, Washington and 
Franklin Townships are the highest growth areas in the County.

Planning Commission Minutes Review, Industrial Park/KOZ, Buren Update, 
Recreation Complex at Dave's Pond, Abandoned Gas Wells, Storage 
Trailers - nothing.

Gresh Mylar - parcel F shows 250 ft. of frontage along Route 98 with 9.785 
acres.  Ireland moved to approve the Gresh Mylar as presented.  Henderson 
seconded.  Carried.  Mylar was signed.

Private Drive/Publicly Dedicated Road - discussion on who is legally allowed 
to use such a designated roadway.  

Schroeck - if the Township takes over the road, anyone can use it.  If it is 
privately maintained, I'd say only residents and their guests can use it.  A road 
right-of-way doesn't allow you to have a party in that strip.  I will research it but 
general ingress and egress is not allowed.

Sachar - what's confusing is the word public.

SOLICITOR
Western Trail/G. Antolik - Schroeck reported that the words to take over a road 
are not fancy.  It can be done with a resolution and filed with the Recorder of 
Deeds.  It doesn't need an ordinance.

Henderson - send Mr. Antolik a letter asking if he wants the Township to take 
over Western Trail.  Also state that we will if he fixes the items noted in our 
engineer's inspection report.   I think there is about $1,500 in the escrow amount 
that we'd actually have to pay over to Antolik after the engineer's fees and the 
cul-de-sac escrow amount is taken into consideration.

Sachar - the engineer says the depressions in the road are from heavy 
equipment being operated on it.  If he keeps using heavy equipment on it after 
we take it over, can we restrict him from doing that?

Henderson - we can regulate it but not restrict it.  We can make him bond it and 
use it only during certain times of the year.

Ireland - should this inspection fee be added to his bill?

Henderson - yes.  We could have an escrow for it.  Will $1,500 be enough to 
cover the items listed by the engineer?

Sachar moved to send George Antolik a letter asking if he wants Franklin 
Township to take over Western Trail.  Ireland seconded.  Carried.

Impact Fee Ordinance - nothing.

Approve Brine Co-Product Determination - Sachar moved to approve brine 
co-product determination.  Henderson seconded.  Carried.

Schroeck - do you want to withdraw the appeal?  Henderson answered yes.

Discussion on brine as a co-product.  Henderson said that the determination may 
make a difference in our summer dust control program.

OLD BUSINESS
Lights of for Safety - nothing.

NEW BUSINESS
Approve Payoff of TAN - Henderson so moved.  Ireland seconded.  Carried.

Oshkosh Registration - Schroeck said that she could set up a hearing with the 
Dept. of Transportation.  If they still say that it is not special mobile equipment 
then we can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas.

Sachar - our Oshkosh is still a snowplow in the summer.

Henderson moved to apply to the Department of Transportation Hearing Board.  
Sachar seconded.  Carried.

CORRESPONDENCE
Reviewed.

ADJOURN
Sachar called the meeting adjourned at 0933 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary