August 14, 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 and 
Reporter Courtney Soder.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
No visitors were present.

MINUTES
Truitt moved to approve the minutes of 7/25/07 as presented.  Henderson 
seconded.  Carried.

REPORTS
Roadmaster – Dave reported that the crew is back to work.

Agility – Larry is mowing State roads including the section of Rt. 98 that was 
being surveyed as that work has been completed.

Francis Road Pipe Grant, Fire Ponds Grant, Rep. Hornaman Grant, Bond for 
Driveway Permits – nothing new to report.

Dirt and Gravel Roads Projects – Dave reported that Greenfield Township 
included our driving surface aggregate in their bid.  They received two bids, one 
from ACA Gravel and one from Hawbaker.  There are minor problems with both 
bids so Soil Conservation District is looking at them and will get back to us by our 
August 29th meeting with their decision on whether either bid meets their 
requirements.

Oshkosh, Grader Repairs – Dave asked if John would look at the hydraulic 
problem on the Oshkosh and the oil leak on the grader.

Gravel – Dave reported that the gravel project on SI5 was completed today.  
Graveling on MO4 will begin tomorrow and should take two days.  Pictures of the 
gravel job on Silverthorn were viewed.  Dave reported that they averaged 116 
tons an hour with 5/6 trucks running.  Four inches of gravel were put down using 
a jersey spreader and Washington Township’s roller.  Discussion on gravel costs.

Washington Township Roller – we are using Washington Township’s roller for 
our gravel operations.  Dave reported that if we had to rent a roller for a month 
the cost would be $3,500 to $4,000.  We would spend that amount each year for 
our graveling operations.  Their roller is for sale and is in excellent condition.  It 
runs very well but will need brake cylinders.  The biggest advantage to this unit is 
its rubber tires and ease of transport.  Its biggest disadvantage is that there is no 
vibration for compaction.  For pavement you use a steel-wheeled roller; for gravel 
you use a rubber tired roller.

After discussion, John suggested inquiring about the purchase price of the roller.  
Dave mentioned that the berms on Silverthorn will be filled.

FINANCIAL AND TAXES
Bills – Truitt moved to approve the bill list for payment totaling $11,177.18 
general fund; $384.82 state fund; $983.63 equipment fund and $$2,517.63 
permanent improvement fund.  Henderson seconded.  Carried.

Payroll – Sachar moved to approve payroll #16-07 as presented.  Truitt 
seconded.  Carried.

PLANNING, ZONING, RECREATION, SAFETY, SANITATION/RECYCLING, 
HEALTH AND THE COMMON GOOD
Planning Commission Minutes – reviewed.

Stormwater Ordinance – the County is working on making a new County-wide 
ordinance.

Comprehensive Plan – Truitt moved to ask Graney and Associates to seek a 
state grant for updating our ordinances and to make Growing Greener a 
conditional use as it is now.  Henderson seconded.  Carried.

Industrial Park/KOZ, Storage Trailers, History Grant, Edinboro Lake 
Watershed, Dry Hydrant on Old State, Davis Child-Care Facility, Cable TV 
Franchise, MNO Letter/Gehr, Nelson/Ronto Subdivision – nothing.

SCD Wetlands Letter – waiting for a copy of a letter ECATO received on this 
issue.

Recycle Day – more volunteers are needed.
Shooting Range – the latest schedule was mailed to our residents.
Public Safety Road Naming and Addressing Guide – awaiting a copy of the 
second draft.

SOLICITOR
Vittorio, Brown/Carver Property, Chivari Trailers, UCC Ruling, Merritt 
Overweight Violation, Court Decision on Airports – nothing.

Nuisance Ordinance Rewrite – John stated that he didn’t see much 
improvement in the new draft over our existing ordinance.

Sachar – I have a problem with this, how can we enforce this?  I can’t buy into 
“inconvenience, annoyance, beauty, aesthetic values” etc.

Henderson – our present ordinance can’t be enforced because it is judgmental.  
You can’t apply a loose standard to a specific problem.

Discussion on bringing refuse, junk, tires, pallets, etc. into the Township.

Sachar – what is an annoyance to some isn’t to others.  The way this reads with 
snow, mud, vegetation etc. prohibited on roadways, how can I keep snow from 
blowing off my property across the road?  We can’t mow the berms anymore 
because it may get onto the road.  You’d have to hire a “nuisance policeman” 
and make this a Gestapo township.   I’m not willing to interfere that much into 
someone else’s life.

Henderson – rewrite the sections that you object to.  Both of these ordinances 
aren’t specific enough.

Truitt – we need an ordinance and we need to enforce it.  Have you driven 
through some townships that don’t have a nuisance ordinance?  With some 
anything goes and they look like third-world countries.

Discussion on junk trailers and eminent domain.

John will work on rewriting some sections of the draft.

OLD BUSINESS
Internet Broadband, Verizon FIOS – nothing.
Elk Creek Boundary Road Agreement – letter sent in response to their letter.

NEW BUSINESS
USDA Home Loan/Home Improvement Program – discussion on the program.  
Dave said that more people should take advantage this.

CORRESPONDENCE
Greenways and Trailways Meeting – meeting is 8/29/07 at 6:30 p.m. at the 
Intermodal Center.

Thank You to Millcreek Township – their crew and bucket truck helped us fix 
the traffic light at Franklin Center.  Letter will be sent.

ADJOURN
Sachar called the meeting adjourned at 2000 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary