January 27, 2005

The meeting of the Supervisors of Franklin Township, held in the Township 
office, was called to order by Chairman John Sachar at 0811 hours with the 
Pledge of Allegiance.  Present were Sachar, David Henderson and Gary Truitt.  
Jarrett Miller was out of town.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments.

MINUTES
Henderson moved to approve the minutes of 1/3/05 as presented.  Sachar 
seconded.  Carried.

REPORTS
Roadmaster – Dave reported that roads have been plowed and cindered.  The 
generator has been repaired; hoses were replaced; block heaters and a new 
water pump will be installed on it.

Agility – contract will be renewed in February for mowing and ditching.

Falls Road Bridge #1 – Mark Corey and Dave will attend the next ECATO 
meeting to resubmit our application for emergency liquid fuels funds for the 
bridge.  Corey wants to go to bid with the opening in March.

CDL Driving Hours, Equipment Repairs, Stop Sign Maintenance – nothing.

FINANCIAL AND TAXES
Bills – Sachar moved to approve the bill list for payment totaling $6,335.68 
general fund and $465.78 state fund.  Henderson seconded.  Carried.

Payroll – Sachar moved to approve payroll #1-05 and #2-05 as presented.  
Henderson seconded.  Carried.

PLANNING, ZONING, RECREATION, SAFETY, SANITATION/RECYCLING, 
HEALTH AND THE COMMON GOOD
Planning Commission Minutes – minutes were reviewed and the 
Commission’s recommendations on the storage trailer issue were discussed.

Regional Planning, Industrial Park/KOZ, SFTF, Recycling, Shooting Range, 
Edinboro Lake Watershed – nothing.

Attorney George Schroeck arrived at 0817 hours.

Storage Trailers – discussion on what the Planning Commission recommended.

Henderson – we will have to rewrite parts of our ordinance.  The question is if 
someone brings in a ground-level storage unit and it’s bigger than a 10’x10’, can 
we force them to get a building permit so it will go on their assessment.  ECATO 
asked the County and the County said you are on your own.  They will not 
assess them.  In other areas of the State, trailers used for storage are strictly 
enforced, you can’t use them in place of a storage building and you can’t use 
parking space for seasonal merchandise.  They are forced to get building permits 
for ground-level storage units.

Schroeck – what about trailers manufactured with wheels.

Henderson – we currently permit them on a temporary permit for two 6-month 
periods only.

Sachar – the permit can’t be levied in lieu of taxes.

Henderson – the Planning Commission gave their recommendations: 1.  Allow 
ground-level storage units only.  2.  Do not allow any motorized vehicle or unit 
that was originally manufactured with wheels and/or axles or any parts thereof to 
be used for storage.  3.  If connected with an active building permit, allow one 6-
month period with one 6-month extension with no fee.  4.  Allow one 6-month 
period with one 6-month extension with a fee for any use other than that 
connected with an active building permit.

A ground-level storage unit should be treated as a building with a building permit 
required.  You can use a tractor-trailer on wheels for a 6-month period with one 
6-month extension.  Rental units generally take care of themselves.  They are 
expensive to rent and tend to leave as soon as possible.

Further discussion.

History Grant – the last transcript was received.

Zoning Ordinance Compliance – several phone calls were received from 
residents that received violation letters to explain what they are doing.  Another 
drive-by will be done in the spring.

SOLICITOR
MDIA Contract – Attorney Schroeck reported that he has placed several calls to 
Bob Kauer/MDIA with no return calls.  He will continue to try to contact him and 
attempt to get a dialog going.

Schroeck – they should not be allowed to profit from their negligence if that 
should arise.  We should not be forced to pay for expert testimony.

Vittorio Lien – the certified letter came back as “unable to deliver as addressed”.

Truitt – Keener says he has no idea where they live.  Keener pays the taxes on 
the trailer and Vittorio is responsible for the taxes on the land.

Henderson – we need the NIDMA’s authorization to proceed.

Discussion on how to find Mr. Vittorio and on the lien.  Schroeck was authorized 
to try to find Mr. Vittorio.

OLD BUSINESS
Internet Survey, PA One Call – nothing.

Winter Newsletter – the draft will be reviewed.  The American Community 
Survey/U.S. Census Bureau information will be included in the newsletter.

Ordinance #1-05/Emergency Management Agency – the ordinance was 
drafted in 2003 but not finalized.  We will take up the issue and advertise the 
ordinance when Jarrett is back in town.

NEW BUSINESS
County Liquid Fuels Project for 2005 – Henderson moved to adopt the 
construction and engineering for Falls Road Bridge #1 as the project for 2005.  
Sachar seconded.  Carried.

Federal Surplus Membership Renewal Form – Henderson moved to authorize 
the signing of the renewal form.  Sachar seconded.  Carried.

Commonwealth Capital Budget Call for Projects – Dave reported that he was 
told that it is a 50% match.  Board agreed not to submit any projects.

CORRESPONDENCE
Reviewed.

ADJOURN
Sachar called the meeting adjourned at 0910 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary