October 27, 2005 The meeting of the Supervisors of Franklin Township, held in the Township office, was called to order by Chairman John Sachar at 0803 hours. Present were Sachar and David Henderson. Supervisor Jarrett Miller was absent. VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT No visitors present. MINUTES Sachar moved to accept the minutes of 10/11/05 as presented. Henderson seconded. Carried. REPORTS Roadmaster – Dave reported that the crew is getting equipment ready for winter. If the weather cooperates, one more grading round will be done. Signs will also be done before winter. Agility, CDL Driving Hours, Grader Agreement with Washington Township, Dirt and Gravel Roads Grant Application, Francis Road Grant Application – nothing. Falls Road Bridge #1 – the west abutment wall has been poured. It was flooded three times. The holes for the southeast wing wall filled with water also. An OSHA inspector levied a fine of $319. The site had passed three inspections by our engineer and PennDOT but OSHA wanted benches dug on Mischler’s side. There is only four feet of earth on top of 10/11 feet of shale. Discussion. They are a little behind schedule due to the flooding. Improper Road Bore at 9450 Mohawk Road – on 10/6/05 we received application for a road bore at 9450 Mohawk Road from Verizon. Before we had a chance to notify them of problems, they did the work on 10/10/05 without a permit. Henderson told the crew to stop work until the problem was fixed but they continued on with the job. Our Engineer says the only fix is to put in a 50 ft. rock-lined ditch to prevent erosion and to move the facilities out of the ditch and get it out of the Township roadwork area. Sachar moved to notify Verizon of our Engineer’s recommendations. Henderson seconded. Carried. Anti-Skid Building – Dave reported that he and Rick went to see a building at North East Township that is just like the type we would like to build. We would need to have someone build the blocks. North East said their building cost $67,000 (they built their own blocks). Dave estimates ours at $90,000. Discussion was held on how to build a similar building for the lowest cost. FINANCIAL AND TAXES Bills – Sachar moved to approve the bill list for payment totaling $4,430.15 general fund and $821.53 EIT fund. Henderson seconded. Carried. Payroll – Henderson moved to approve payroll #21-05 as presented. Sachar seconded. Carried. Clean and Green Reassessments, Procurement Cards – nothing. PLANNING, ZONING, RECREATION, SAFETY, SANITATION/RECYCLING, HEALTH AND THE COMMON GOOD Planning Commission Minutes, Industrial Park/KOZ, Storage Trailers, Ordinance Compliance, Recycling, Shooting Range, Edinboro Lake Watershed – nothing. Regional Planning Commission/Implementation – Henderson stated that we need to completely rewrite our zoning ordinance. Henderson – we could combine with the other municipalities for a zoning officer, one officer could handle all three. Even if Edinboro Borough weren’t interested, if we combined our zoning with Washington Township, we would save money. Modifying theirs and extending it into ours could be done without costing a lot of money. Take their zoning ordinance and compare it with how our zoning is run and see what fits and what don’t. Discussion. Henderson – I think it’s worth talking to Washington Township and Edinboro Borough. You could write an ordinance that would encompass them all. If we did a joint zoning ordinance we would qualify for half the cost from the State and maybe some from the County. Philosophy and acceptance by the planning commissions would be hard. Sachar – let’s explore the possibility to have a blended zoning ordinance. Henderson – we could send a letter to Washington Township and Edinboro Borough asking to explore some form of regional zoning, partly funded by the State. We will have to wait until the joint comprehensive plan is adopted. History Grant – book was sent to the printer with the lowest quote. Quotes ranged from $20 a book to $5.75 a book. Wetlands Replacement for Airport – a letter was received from Michael Baker Jr. Inc. asking if the Township had any area that could be converted to a wetland replacement area. Sachar – I’m not aware of any site within the Township. SOLICITOR Vittorio Judgments – hearing is 11/3/05 at 1:30 p.m. OLD BUSINESS Internet Broadband – Dave reported that if we want DSL the residents need to go to the Verizon website and sign up. We need at least 50 people to sign up. Discussion. Henderson – we could send a card to everyone and ask them to sign up. NEW BUSINESS VFW Post Dedication – Henderson went and reported that the event was well attended and all had a good time. CORRESPONDENCE Letter from Erie Zoo Requesting Funds – the Zoo is asking for financial support. We also received a letter from Tim Sennett, Esquire of the Knox Law Firm stating that in his opinion the Second Class Township Code would permit financial support. The Zoo is requesting $1 a head donation. Henderson – I really think the County should be supporting them instead of each municipality. Discussion on taxes: real estate and earned income. Gary Truitt arrived at 0913 hours. ADJOURN Sachar called the meeting adjourned at 0914 hours. Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary