PALMER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING
A
general business meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors was held
on
2. APPROVAL
OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS –
INFORMATION
The report will be provided at the meeting.
DISCUSSION
On
motion by Panella, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board approved
the disbursement of funds for
3. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES –
DISCUSSION
On
motion by Mitchell, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board voted to
approve the minutes of
4.
INFORMATION
DISCUSSION
Colver
said as liaison to the fire department he would like to discuss replacement of
our next vehicle. Colver said because of
special lead times and new engine requirements that will be put into effect in
the near future, he asked
Grube said the
truck being replaced is a 1984 Ford.
Grube said this is keeping us in line with our 20 year replacement schedule. Grube said the EPA is changing regulations on
diesel engines. Grube said we don’t know
when the cut off date is going to be for the new regulations. Grube said originally the cutoff was June or
July of this year. Grube said if we wait
for the new requirements to go into effect a new engine would cost an
additional $8,000 to $10,000. Grube said
the new engines will use a new synthetic fuel so in addition to that cost we
would also need to get a new fuel tank.
Grube said the new engines are being redesigned and tested for
2007. Grube said the new engines will
operate double the temperature (1300 degrees) of the current engines. Grube said we feel it would be beneficial to order
our new truck prior to the cutoff for the new engine requirements. Grube said they looked at a truck last week in
Colver said the other issue with this new vehicle is we won’t have enough room for the transportation vehicle in the station. Grube said we could put it in Station #2 but we then lose the reason we purchased those vehicles. Grube said for either station to lose their transportation vehicle would be a hardship. Lammi said the problem is the amount of equipment that needs to be included on the new vehicles gives us a space problem. Lammi said he feels we have a little time to decide on the space problem. Grube said in addition to the space problem there are things that also need to be upgraded and maintained in the building. Panella asked since our other trucks are on a 20 year replacement schedule, could they come to us and make us go to the new fuel requirement with our older trucks. Grube said the older trucks are supposed to run on the new fuel.
Colver
asked the Township Manager for the current status on existing fire truck loans. Anckaitis said one loan will be paid up on
On
motion by Colver, seconded by Lammi, and agreed by all, the Board authorized
the Fire Chief to finalize the specs on the fire truck, put it out to bid, and
return to the Board for final approval.
5.
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove electrical change order #3.
DISCUSSION
Colver asked the Supervisor of
Public Services to explain some of the change orders outlined.
On motion by Colver, seconded by Smith,
and agreed by all, the Board approved electrical change order #3 for the
6. BIKE PATH CONTRACT
AWARD – BUSHKILL CREEK ALIGNMENT
INFORMATION
The
Board needs to approve/disapprove awarding the contract to low bidder, Grace
Industries.
DISCUSSION
Colver said a couple of months ago this was discussed. Bruno said Grace Industries is the low bidder. Bruno said Ron Check, one of the principal’s of the company, was charged, and pled guilty, to criminal charges related to kickbacks. Bruno said no charges have been filed against Grace Industries. Bruno said there were some concerns regarding debarment. Bruno said as of today he is not aware of any debarment for Grace Industries. Bruno said there is a letter from Penndot stating they would like to have Grace Industries debarred. Bruno said Grace Industries has elected to challenge Penndot’s debarment request. Bruno said Grace Industries is entitled to a two process hearing that could take up to eight months. Bruno said this makes them eligible to be awarded the contract. Bruno said at this point you have the right, if you choose, to award the bid to them. Bruno said the township would not be doing anything wrong because the company has not been charged with anything. Bruno said bidding is something that the citizens of this municipality have the right to question. Bruno said the Company was not charged, an individual who worked for them was charged. Lammi asked if the person charged was a principal in the company. Bruno said he was and he pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate kickback and one count of conspiracy to avoid income tax on kickback schemes. Bruno read a letter to the Board regarding the charges. Mitchell asked what would happen if we start the work and in the middle of the contract they would be debarred. Bruno said he doesn’t believe anything would happen. Bruno said there have been no findings against Grace Industries. Lammi asked how much more was the next bid. Colver said $40,000 more.
On motion by Smith, seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the Board approved awarding the contract to low bidder Grace Industries Inc. for a cost of $237,556.50.
7. PUBLIC
COMMENT
Bill Remaly said he was disappointed that the
Board awarded to Grace Industries.
Remaly said Mr. Check is the President and
8. REPORTS
Solicitor
· Bruno said Commerce Bank posted security with a cashiers check for the full amount regarding their land development improvements agreement. Bruno said he will need the Boards approval to have the Chairman sign the agreement. On motion by Lammi, seconded by Mitchell, and agreed by all, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute the land development improvements agreement for Commerce Bank.
Township Manager
·
Anckaitis had one personnel item for Executive
Session.
Public Services
·
·
Supervisors
·
Colver had one real estate item for executive
session.
On motion by Mitchell,
seconded by Panella, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Robert G. Anckaitis
Township Manager