The Jackson Township Supervisors held their reorganization meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Jackson Township Municipal Building. Members present were Supervisors David Bracken, Bruce Baker and Bob Stephens along with Secretary-Treasurer / Manager Dave Hirko.

Acting Chairman:
Acting Chairman Bracken called the meeting to order beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Public Comments Concerning Agenda Items:
(None)

Executive Sessions Held:
Chairman Bracken announced, an Executive Session was held on Thursday, December 28, 2006 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am concerning personnel matters.

Reorganization:
Motion Stephens, second Bracken to appoint Bruce Baker to the position of Permanent Chairman. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to appoint Dave Bracken to the position of Vice-Chairman. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to re-appoint Dave Hirko to the position of Secretary-Treasurer. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to re-appoint Dave Bracken & Bruce Baker to the position of Roadmasters. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to affirm the Supervisors as employees of the Township. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Bracken to re-appoint William G. Barbin to the position of Township Solicitor. Supervisor Stephens commented, I’ve brought it up before and I don’t feel it’s in the Township’s best interest to have a Solicitor that lives in the Township serve as Solicitor within the Township in which he resides due to the possibility of a possible conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. A vote was then taken. Vote-Baker & Bracken-yes, Stephens-no.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to re-appoint P. Joseph Lehman as Township Engineers. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to re-appoint Barry Rouzer to the position of Vacancy Board Chairman. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to re-appoint Harry Baker to the position of Zoning Officer. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to retain Berkheimer Associates for EIT & Local Municipal Service Taxes. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to retain First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Ameriserv & PLGIT as Township depositories. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to approve renewal of Treasurer’s Bond in the amount of $2,000,000. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to set regular monthly meeting dates for the last Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm and second monthly meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 8:00 am for 2007. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to adopt Tax Structure as follows: 3 ½ mills Real Estate, ½ Mill Fire Hydrant, 1/4 Mill Rescue Service, ½% Earned Income Tax, ½% Real Estate Transfer Tax, $5.00 Per Capita Tax & $5.00 Local Services Tax. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to authorize Supervisors and Manager to attend County & State Conventions. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to appoint Dave Bracken as Voting Delegate to the State Convention. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Bracken to appoint Bob Stephens to the position of Alternate Voting Delegate to the State Convention. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to authorize Township Auditors, Tax Collector, Tax Assessor & Zoning Officer to attend County Conventions. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to approve Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company’s List of Activities for 2007. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to appoint Dave Hirko as Driveway & Street Encroachment Officer. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to re-appoint Ellen Pentrack-Ocilka to a three year term on the Jackson Township Zoning Hearing Board. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Bracken to re-appoint Bruce Baker to a four year term as a member on the Jackson Township Planning Commission. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to appoint Eric Reitler to a five year term as a member on the Jackson Township Recreation Commission. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to re-appoint Tim Davis to a five year term as a member on the Jackson Township Recreation Commission. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to re-appoint John Wallet to a five year term as a member on the Jackson Township Water Authority. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Bracken, second Stephens to appoint Bruce Baker as Sewage Enforcement Agency member. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Bracken, second Baker to appoint Dave Hirko as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Agency member. Supervisor Stephens commented, if Bruce can’t make it, you’d be the most logical person to get a hold of. A vote was then taken. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Bracken to appoint Bruce Baker as Building Codes Enforcement Agency member. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to appoint Dave Hirko as Alternate Building Codes Enforcement Agency member. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Bracken to set wage increase for Secretary/Treasurer/Manager, Dave Hirko at $1.00 per hour with benefits to follow that of the Laborers Intr. Union Agreement. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to set wage increase for Administrative Assistant, Connie Fetzer at .35 per hour with benefits to follow that of the Laborers Intr. Union Agreement. Supervisor Stephens commented, let me clarify that. . .that will be the first year and based on the same thing it will be .30 and .30 the second and third year. Supervisor Baker said, correct. .that’s what the Contract calls for. Stephens said, just so we make it a matter of record so there’s no misunderstanding. A vote was then taken. Vote-3 yes.

Public Comments:
Ed Nischalke commented, I would like to comment on Mr. Barbin’s appointment. I understand he’s the Sewage Enforcement Solicitor for Cambria County now. It’s a pretty tough job. If that’s our Sewage Enforcement Agency, he’s jury against himself on anything that goes on here in the Township. As far as sewage enforcement goes, he’d almost have to recluse himself from any actions. That’s an important Agency for Cambria County. With all of these Sewage Enforcement Agencies he belongs to, he’s in charge of himself. It seems like a pretty tough business. Supervisor Stephens said, this is one of the reasons I commented on that. . .what’s happened. . . he is also Solicitor for the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority and Solicitor for the Township and he did not excuse himself from participating and giving advice to both parties in a related matter concerning sewage on Dishong Mountain. Nischalke said, I understand he’s just about got total control of sewage operations in Cambria County. . .that’s just a public comment but a point of interest. Stephens said, I appreciate you bringing that up.

Adjournment:
Motion Baker, second Stephens to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 pm. Vote-3 yes.