The Jackson Township Supervisors held their regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Jackson Township Municipal Building. Members present were Supervisors David Bracken, Bob Stephens and Bruce Baker along with Secretary-Treasurer / Manager Dave Hirko and Solicitor Bill Barbin. The meeting was called to order by David Bracken, Chairman, with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Board Roll Call was taken with all three Supervisors present.

Public Comments Concerning Agenda Items:
Eugene Kist asked about adopting the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Solicitor Bill Barbin said the State passed a law adopting the Local Government Taxpayer Bill of Rights. He said it requires that when taxpayers ask certain questions about taxes that they be given a notification of the rights that they have to plead at a hearing or a receive a statement of taxes. He added that there is a similar State law adopting the Taxpayer Bill of Rights as well. He said the Township was required to have them in place and that they already had them in place with the Earned Income Tax Collector, Berkheimer Associates. He then said technically it should cover Paulette Baker collecting the Per Capita Tax as well. Kist asked if there were copies available at the Township Office. Manager Dave Hirko said that there were copies available.

Minutes:
Motion Stephens, second Baker to approve the minutes of the December 30, 2003 and January 5, 2004 meetings. Vote-3 yes.

Expenditures:
Motion Baker, second Bracken to approve the bills for the period of December 31, 2003 through January 29, 2004. Vote-Baker & Bracken-yes, Stephens-abstained due to a possible conflict of interest.

Township Police Report:
The November-December, 2003 Police Report submitted by Police Chief Bob Fatula was presented. The figures were as follows: 911 Calls dispatched to Police were 456. Reportable Incidents were 48 broken down as follows: Theft-9, DUI (Driving While Under the Influence)-8, Criminal Mischief-7, Harassment-7, Assault-5, Public Drunkenness-3, Vehicle Theft-2, Burglary-1, Child Abuse-1, Disorderly Conduct-1, Firearms Violation-1, Rape-1, Stalking-1 and Threats-1. Non-Traffic Citations Issued-5. Traffic Citations Issued-35. Accidents Handled-27. Criminal Charges Filed were 20 broken down as follows: - DUI (Driving While Under the Influence)-8, Assault-4, Public Drunkenness-3, Disorderly Conduct-1, Firearms Violation-1, Harassment-1, Theft-1 and Vehicle Theft-1.

Correspondence:
A letter was received the Jackson-East Sewer Authority explaining how PennDOT would be widening Route 22 in the Fords Corner Area of Jackson Township in the near future. The Sewer Authority has been working with PennDOT in regards to installing a steel casing during construction of the new highway for possible future installation of the sanitary sewer system. The bid received to install the casing during construction phase of Route 22 was $41,720.00. The letter goes on to say that the Authority is on a very tight budget and is looking to agencies or other avenues to raise the necessary funds for this project. If the Authority does not complete this project during the Route 22 construction phase, the cost would be approximately $180,000.00 after the road is completed. The letter concluded saying that they would appreciate any financial assistance that the Jackson Township Supervisors could provide for the cost saving project. It also mentioned that PennDOT will allow the Authority to pay for the entire project when it is completed in January, 2007 and a new account would be established for this project only.

Old Business:
(None)

New Business:
Motion Stephens, second Baker to rescind motion to appoint Roadmasters as Driveway & Street Encroachment Officers. Vote-3 yes.

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

Motion Stephens, second Baker to authorize the Tax Collector and Zoning Officer to attend the 2004 Spring & Fall Cambria County Township Association Conventions. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to appoint Tim Davis for a three-year term to fill a vacant position on the Jackson Township Recreation Commission. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to appoint Keith Eichensehr for a four-year term to fill a vacant position on the Jackson Township Recreation Commission. Vote-3 yes.

Chairman Bracken read a letter from the Jackson Township Recreation Commission recommending that the Board accept the low bid from Laurel Highlands Fence for fencing and backstop at Leidy Park. Motion Stephens, second Baker to approve the low bid from Laurel Highlands Fence for fencing and backstop at Leidy Park. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to pay Connie Fetzer, Administrative Assistant $1.20 additional per hour in lieu of providing Health Insurance. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Stephens to authorize the Solicitor and Planning Commission to review regulations and ordinances for Jackson Township concerning sewage matters. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to authorize the Solicitor to update Earned Income Tax & Real Estate Transfer Tax Ordinances to comply with Act 166 of 2003. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to approve Resolution 01-04 adopting Taxpayers Bill of Rights. Vote-3 yes.

Motion Baker, second Bracken on transferring $ 25,837.99 from the Capital Reserve Fund to the General Fund - $15,000.00 Annual Contribution to Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company, $4,600.00 for 2004 Police Pension Fund Contribution, $3,830.66 to Luther P. Miller for fuel and heating oil, $1,190.90 for Snow Plowing & Removal Overtime, $517.43 to Paulette Baker for stamped self-addressed envelopes, $389.00 to Randy Wike Heating for maintenance and repairs and $310.00 to Plunkett & Cooney for Lawsuit Legal Expenses. Vote-Baker & Bracken-yes, Stephens-abstained due to a possible conflict of interest.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to approve the time sheets from December 7, 2003 through December 20, 2003, December 21, 2003 through January 3, 2004 and January 4, 2004 through January 17, 2004. Vote-3 yes.

Other New Business:
Chairman Bracken said there was an agreement with Meridian Benefits Administration for providing a pension plan for the new full-time Police Officer and the Administrative Assistant. He said the Plan Document was under the name of Krauss & Pasternack which is registered with the Internal Revenue Service. He added that Krauss & Pasternack was purchased by Meridian Benefits Administration and that Meridian’s name would be on the Document when it was up for re-approval with the IRS in 2005.

Motion Stephens, second Baker to approve agreement with Meridian Benefits Administration authorizing establishment of Pension Plan and funding for uniformed police officer and office personnel pending the Solicitor’s review. Vote-3 yes.

Public Comments:
Steve Yurasek asked if we were making any head-way on the non-conforming properties and also is there any time in the future when we’re going to put in a stake and say here’s Residential, here’s Commercial. He asked if we were going to do anything showing where one zone ends and one begins so that a surveyor can take that stake and then survey from that point.

Eugene Kist said we lost over 500 people in Iraq fighting for Democracy and when you people look in the mirror in the mornings, just remember that and also that we need Democracy in Jackson Township. He added that we’re still part of the United States and I hope you gentlemen believe in that.

Steve Yurasek asked who you would have to see if the sewer system could handle a car wash. He said he didn’t seem to get an answer down at the Sewer Authority and wondered if he should go to the Planning Commission or who should he see to see if the system was adequate for a car wash. Solicitor Barbin answered purely the Sewer Authority. He said the volume would probably be adequate but their engineers would have to review it for the number of mobile tankers needed. Yurasek said these new systems have water recovery systems. Barbin said they would want to see it before they give the ok and to get the building permit and zoning approval you got to have a letter from them saying you have sewage and to get that letter you’re going to have to show them the grit removal procedure to get it approved by their Engineer.

Announcements:
Chairman Bracken announced that the next Supervisors Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2004 at 7:00 pm at the Jackson Township Municipal Building.

Adjournment:
Motion Baker, second Stephens to to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 pm. Vote-3 yes.