March 13, 2007

The meeting of the Supervisors of Franklin Township, held in the Township 
office, was called to order by Chairman John Sachar at 1900 hours with the 
Pledge of Allegiance.  Present were Sachar, Gary Truitt, David Henderson, 
Hunter Truitt, Reporter Audrey Scruton, Doug Anderson and Karl Ebert.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Doug Anderson – why the tax increase?

Karl Ebert – the millage doubled.  What was the calculation you used?

Sachar – we determined that we needed $300,000 to catch up which was too 
much of an increase.  We will do the catching up over time.  It’s an ongoing 
program.  We doubled the real estate portion of the budget.

Ebert – have you changed the way you grade roads?  If you are spending money 
to gravel, what is the purpose of how you grade?  It would be better not to grade 
so often.  Discussion on how to grade a road.

Sachar – we grade from the ditch to the center of the road.  We don’t grade 
material off into the ditch.

Henderson – how many times do you want us to grade in front of your house?

Ebert – four or five times.

Henderson – that is how often we grade now.  We use the grader and road 
planes each time we grade.

Discussion was held on gravel erosion, wing plows and plow balance systems.

MINUTES
Truitt moved to approve the minutes of 2/28/07 as presented.  Henderson 
seconded.  Carried.

REPORTS
Roadmaster – Dave reported that the crew is still on lay-off but doing odds and 
ends as needed.  The 10-ton weight limit signs were put up today.

Henderson, in answer to a question from Sachar, said that Elk Creek Township 
because they do summer maintenance on Ivoray would be in charge of putting 
up 10-ton weight limit signs on that road.

Agility, Anti-Graffiti Paint, Francis Road Grant Application, Fire Ponds 
Grant Application – nothing.

Roads to Gravel – Dave reported that he talked with Jim Cooper/PennDOT.  We 
may not need to bid as Frank Tucci Trucking was the lowest quote and he is on 
the State bid list.

Tanker Repairs – it will be picked up tomorrow.  Some minor work will need to 
be done on it before it is back in service.

Dirt and Gravel Roads Program Grants – Dave reported that he talked to a 
second contractor about driving surface aggregate.  Both suppliers will bid.  We 
will try to combine our small amount with Greenfield Township who is getting a 
large amount to try to get a price break.  We need to surface 60 ft. on Silverthorn 
and 500 ft. on Mohawk.

FINANCIAL AND TAXES
Bills – Henderson moved to approve the bill list for payment totaling $4,879.86 
general fund and $983.63 equipment fund.  Truitt seconded.  Carried.  Dave 
mentioned that the grant of $5,000 is almost a sure thing.

Payroll – Henderson moved to approve payroll #5-07 as presented.  Truitt 
seconded.  Carried.

Procurement Cards – waiting.

Warrant Tax Collector – Henderson moved to warrant the tax collector for 
$207,013.54 (real estate).  Truitt seconded.  Carried.

PLANNING, ZONING, RECREATION, SAFETY, SANITATION/RECYCING, 
HEALTH AND THE COMMON GOOD
Planning Commission Minutes, Joint Comprehensive Plan, Industrial 
Park/KOZ, Stormwater Management, Storage Trailer, History Grant, Soil 
Conservation Letter on Subdivision/Wetlands, Ordinance Compliance, 
Edinboro Lake Watershed Association, Flu Pandemic, Hydrant on Old 
State, Girard Pit – nothing.

Recycling – Dave asked if the Township should offer free pick up and transport 
of junk for our senior citizens for the Recycle Day event.  We have done it in the 
past and it is as much as $2,000 to $3,000 to do it, but it is also a nice thing to 
do.  Discussion.

Shooting Range – a letter was received from Joe Weindorf and forwarded to the 
residents.  A complaint was received about the shooting on Monday evening, 
March 12th.  There was no notice given to the Township or the residents.  A letter 
will be sent to John Villa at Mercyhurst Center for Public Safety asking for 
advanced notice of all shooting days.

Elizabeth Davis Child-Care Facility – no response to our second letter.  
Another letter will be sent.

Complaint about Property on Shadduck – an anonymous complaint was 
received.  It is township policy to ignore such complaints.  The letter of complaint 
will be forwarded to the property owner.

SOLICITOR
Vittorio – nothing.

Nuisance Ordinance Rewrite – the Board will further review the draft.  When 
the review is completed, the draft will be forwarded to our Attorney.

Brown/Carver Property – Attorney Schroeck is working on the agreement.  
When finalized, it will be forwarded to the family’s attorney.

UCC Inspectors – discussion on the letter received from MDIA on this issue.  
They feel the ruling only applies to the two townships involved.

OLD BUSINESS
Internet Broadband – Dave reported that he met with Rep. Hornaman.  There 
isn’t much we can do on this issue unless Verizon wants to do something.

Verizon FIOS – discussion on our position if Verizon would want to put fiber optic 
lines in our right-of-way.

Elk Creek Boundary Road Agreement – nothing.

NEW BUSINESS
Nothing.

CORRESPONDENCE
Reviewed.

ADJOURN
Sachar called the meeting adjourned at 1945 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary