November 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, Reporter Courtney Soder, Joanne 
Markham, Brian, Andrew and Brandon Confer, Denise and Todd Benedict.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments from those present.

MINUTES
Truitt moved to approve the minutes of 10/31/07 as presented.  Henderson seconded.  
Carried.

REPORTS
Roadmaster – Dave reported that the crew is finishing up winter preparations.  The 
signs at Gudgeonville and Old State were put up for the third time.  Previous signs were 
stolen.  Lay off begins Tuesday of next week.

Agility, Francis Pipe, Hornaman Grant, Repairs to Oshkosh and Grader – nothing.

Fire Ponds – elevation work will be done tomorrow.

Dirt and Gravel Roads Program – final payment on our 2007 projects was received.  
Dave reported that he submitted two projects for 2008.  The project for New Road west 
would take two years of funding if approved.

Thoughts on State Transportation Fund Bill – Dave stated that even though liquid 
fuel is up $10,000, if local municipalities had received funds at the original bill’s 20% we 
would be getting $174,000 instead of $113,000 (includes County liquid fuel).  The extra 
money would help to solve our cross-pipe failure problems.  Local government needs to 
influence our State legislators anytime this issue comes up.  The original 20% for local 
government is now down to 13%.  Discussion.

FINANCIAL AND TAXES
Bills – Truitt moved to approve the bill list for payment totaling $7,711.72 general fund; 
$1,259.96 equipment fund; $2,517.63 permanent improvement fund.  Henderson 
seconded.  Carried.

Payroll – Henderson moved to approve payroll #23-07 as presented.  Truitt seconded.  
Carried.

PLANNING, ZONING, RECREATION, SAFETY, SANITATION/RECYCLING, HEALTH 
AND THE COMMON GOOD
Planning Commission Minutes, Joint Comprehensive Plan, History Grant, Soil 
Conservation Letter, Shooting Range, Edinboro Lake Watershed, Davis Home 
Child Care, Cable TV Franchise, Road Naming Guide, County 
Assessment/Address Corrections, Junk Vehicles/Shirley Daniels, Safety 
Improvements at Crane and Rt. 98 – nothing.

Zoning Ordinance Rewrite – an updated LUPTAP grant application is expected soon.

Ordinance Compliance – the drive-by was done.  Henderson moved to send a letter to 
all of those listed as non-compliant.  Truitt seconded.  Carried.

SOLICITOR
Vittorio, Nuisance Ordinance Rewrite, UCC Inspectors, Merritt Truck Crane 
Violation, Supreme Court Decision on Airports, Agreement/Washington Township 
– nothing.

OLD BUSINESS
Internet Broadband – internet is now available to about ½ the Township.

Elk Creek Boundary Road Agreement – after meeting with Elk Creek’s Board, it was 
agreed by all to go back to the March 2006 agreement.

Ordinance #1-2007/Local Services Tax – hearing is scheduled for 11/28/07.

NEW BUSINESS
Centralized Dispatching – Sachar read a letter received from West County Emergency 
Comm. Center that presented various points against centralized dispatching.  WCECC 
feels that the present system of de-centralized dispatching is much more cost effective.

Henderson – this is a consciousness raising document.  What the County is proposing is 
a very expensive proposition for each resident of the County.  This document will bring 
further information to open the lines of discussion.  This does not dispute the need for 
the new County Emergency Management building.  Dispatching would use only 10% of 
the new building.  The law states that townships can not be forced to accept centralized 
dispatching.  I feel the County is pushing the issue because it could be an opportunity for 
them to create a huge bureaucracy.  If they do centralize, the action is irrevocable.  The 
cost to reestablish the dispatch centers that we have now would be too enormous.

Cafeteria Plan Update – recent law changes move the “use it or lose it” deadline for 
using funds from December 31st to March 15th the following year.  Henderson moved to 
adopt the cafeteria plan date change of March 15th in accordance with the recent change 
in the law.  Truitt seconded.  Carried.

Erie County Watershed Advisory Committee Appointment – Dennis Howard has 
expressed his willingness to accept appointment to this committee.  Henderson moved 
to appoint Dennis Howard to serve as Franklin Township’s representative on the 
Watershed Advisory Committee.  Truitt seconded.  Carried.  County will be notified and a 
thank you will be sent to Mr. Howard.

CORRESPONDENCE
None.

ADJOURN
Sachar called the meeting adjourned at 1935 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary