Supervisors Meeting
October 9, 2023
1 CALL TO ORDER – In the absence of the chairman, Jeff Labesky, Supervisor Fitch resided over the meeting and called it to order at 6pm at the Sheffield Food Pantry with the pledge of allegiance.
1.1 – Attendance: Supervisors Jay Fitch and Nathan Lindberg; Administrator/Treasurer Kristi Kulka-Leichtenberger; Guests: Bob Johnson, Mara Johnson, Nicholas Hagg, Ruth Belcher, Nikki Bailey, Rick Petruney, Randy Petruney, Bill Nelson, Wanda Nelson, Renee Samuelson, Jim McMillen, Kim Holden, Pam Pedersen, Brad Geer of Taylor Diversion and John Buck
2. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
2.1 – September 11, 2023, ACTION Motion/Second Lindberg/Fitch all in favor
3. BILLS FOR APPROVAL AND SEPTEMBER TREASURER’S REPORT
3.1 – Bills for Approval through October 9, 2023, General Fund $107,983.36; Light Fund $3,313.78; Fire Fund $4,468.41; Sinking Fund $643.51 for a total of $116,409.06. ACTION Motion/Second Lindberg/Fitch all in favor
3.2 – September Treasurer’s Report ACTION Motion/Second Lindberg/Fitch all in favor
4. COMMUNICATIONS
4.1 USDA Water and Sewer Funding through the Rural Utilities Service Program was given to the Municipal Authority for a possible funding source for them.
4.2 Stormwater Management Application approved for Jim Fiero for a metal garage at 1897 Austin Hill Road.
4.3 Pennhills Resources is drilling in Howe Township.
4.4 Emergycare reports 14 calls for September for a year to date of 80 calls to Sheffield Township.
5. OLD BUSINESS
5.1 Franceso Gangemi, owner of 92 3rd Mill Street contacted the office and informed us that he is planning on removing the old trailer from this property, has mowed the property and will be either tearing down this house and rebuilding on this lot or fixing this house up in the future. He gave me his contact information for further communication. The other two blighted properties have been forwarded to the review committee, 17 Hall Street and Second Street property.
5.2 Permanent Easement for the owners of Straight off the Block, Chad and Heather Raught is the suggestion from solicitor. ACTION Motion/Second Lindberg/Fitch all were in favor of an easement.
5.3 A thank was sent to Suzanne McNeal for the beautiful job that she does keeping Epstein Park beautifully manicured.
5.4 Northwest Soil Services sent a certified letter to the owner of 11 Tan Street, who is currently living in a trailer without water and sewage services. He has 10 days from receipt of the letter to contact the sewer authority to make payment arrangements. The owner has contacted the office and informed us that he is in the process of getting his pipes re-connected. When he purchased the trailer, everything had been cut off the trailer and disconnected which is a very expensive process, but he is working on this.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Johnny Appleseed Festival is this weekend, October 13-15th, the basketball courts at Memorial Park will be closed to kids because the festival will be utilizing the courts all weekend for their kid zone.
6.2 18 new Christmas lights, snowflakes, have been ordered for Sheffield Township at no expense to the township. Numerous businesses and organizations have paid for these new lights and the old lights are being sold to an individual who has asked about them. I don’t have a price from him yet as what he is willing to pay for them.
6.3 Tuesday, October 31st is Halloween, we need to set trick or treat hours, ACTION Motion/Second Lindberg/Fitch setting trick or treat hours from 6-8 on October 31st in Sheffield Township all were in favor.
6.4 Courtesy letters sent to owners of 233 Pickering Street for garbage and grass violations: 57 ½ 2nd Mill Street for garbage and 261 Cottage Avenue for nuisance ordinance for storage and maintenance of garbage.
6.5 The following individuals are appealing their property assessment for the 2023-2024 tax year: Ryan Christy, West Sheffield Water Association, Jan R. Phinney. The hearings were held on October 3rd.
6.6 IA Construction has not completed the work that was agreed upon. The shoulder back up was not done by September 30, 2023, as the contract requested. They should be charged $975 each day after that date that the work is not complete. They are trying to negotiate the paving of the boat launch parking lot that was done last paving season but
PAGE 2 OCTOBER 9, 2023
was not done correctly. The parking lot was not paid for by out-of-state funds, but general funds because it is not a state road, therefore this should not be something we negotiated with them. We need to decide as to how to proceed. I have asked our PennDOT Municipal Rep, Jon Wilson, for his assistance.
6.7 October 30th at 6pm at the township office a budget workshop will be held to begin the process of the preparation of the 2024 budget.
6.8 Tuesday, October 10th at 10am an individual from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be present to tour Sheffield’s sidewalk project for possible funding.
6.9 Leaf bags are available at the township office and roadcrew will be picking up them as they see them.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Bob and Mara Johnson of Van Ettan Avenue expressed their concerns for a Van Ettan resident feeding the feral cats and then these cats destroy their homes. Bill and Wanda Nelson, Nicki Baily, Ruth Belcher, and Nicholas Hagg were also present with concerns for their properties. Supervisor Fitch stated this sounds more like a civil matter between the property owners, since the township has no ordinance in place nor a way in which to enforce it. It was decided that we would at least pass an ordinance regarding the feeding of feral cats and go from there.
Renee Samuelson had concerns for the large pothole on Route 6 by Dollar General. She was informed that this was a PennDOT issue since it’s their highway, but a call will be made to them to inform them of the issue.
Brad Geer of Taylor Diversion has reached out to Supervisor Labesky several times regarding a crew working around Sheffield Township to benefit the community. He was seeking permission to work.
on the walking trail at Tionesta Park, cleaning up the path and installing picnic tables and benches along the path as well. He stated that they are available to help with any projects in the township.
Kim Holden questioned the Dirt Gravel Low Volume Roads grant through conservation district. Other townships she heard got huge amounts of money. Supervisor Fitch stated that Ian Lester is taking care of this and wasn’t present to answer questions.
Rick Petruney questioned how many grants we have received in the last ten years. He also asked about all the ordinances in the books that somebody needs to enforce. Supervisor Fitch stated we send out courtesy letters and the solicitor then enforces the ordinances for us. Mr. Petruney also questioned all the work and time spent down on the playground when the roads are falling apart. He stated we have more employees than before. There are limbs hanging across the roads and cracks in the roads, maybe they need to prioritize their work better. He also stated that he attended a Music in the Park event and walked down the ramp and almost tripped over the buildup edging at the playground. Kim Holden informed him that this has been filled in with topsoil now. Supervisor Fitch stated its noted.
Jim McMillen questioned the supervisors whether a Parks and Recreation committee exists, does somebody tell them where to plant trees, Supervisor Fitch stated yes, they decide this among themselves. He also asked if.
roadmaster makes the decision on all the work being done down there now, Jay stated that the minutes of the meeting stated that they were going to be doing the cement work, but they got caught not having it done before the Johnny Appleseed Festival, so they are getting it caught up now. Supervisor Fitch was asked if he was happy about what was getting done, and he stated that no he’s not happy with it, but it was in the minutes of their meeting and it was approved. Supervisor Fitch stated he wasn’t happy with it, but it’s torn up now and it’s getting taken care of now. Kim Holden stated if you weren’t happy having it done, then why is it getting done. Supervisor Fitch stated that it was voted on and apparently, he voted yes, but now wishes he hadn’t voted for it, but things are going to change, and he will be paying closer attention to these issues. Ms. Holden stated but all the work will be done now, maybe you should not have allowed it to begin in the first place. Her opinion is that a lot of parks and recreations work, and a lot of time and money should come from fundraising rather than taxpayers’ dollars. She feels there is a problem because taxpayers come through town and see them working down at the playground and the roads are falling apart and the playground shouldn’t be a priority in this town. Prioritize their work better. Supervisor Fitch stated the Lions Club raises money down there running the concession stand and this money is utilized for park updates. The Memorial Park account has over $13,000 in that account and we will be utilizing some of that money. The only thing we use taxpayers’ money on is the labor of the employees. Ms. Holden stated that even is wrong, and Supervisor Fitch stated he doesn’t disagree with that, and Ms. Holden stated sure after everything is done down there, now you disagree with it. Jim McMillen stated that this was like that for 50 years and now we are.
PAGE 3 OCTOBER 9, 2023
spending time and money down there pouring cement, whose ideas was this. Supervisor Fitch stated that Supervisor Labesky oversees the parks and recreation committee. 3 Supervisors must agree and it’s 2 against 1 if you don’t agree, Ms. Holden stated. Supervisors’ things need to change and again Ms. Holden stated everything is done now though and taxpayers money used.
Randy Petruney asked about the ditch across from his house again on 3rd Mill Street, he doesn’t see anything done yet there, and it needs to be cleaned out.
John Buck of Four Mile Road wanted to know if the camp located at 539 Four Mile Road received a building permit. This property operates as an Air BnB and charges big bucks for rent. Much discussion about what needs permits and what doesn’t and what needs a recreational cabin affidavit, which Kim Holden was able to answer all his questions. Mr. Buck also addressed the issue of the huge drop-offs that were left behind after IA Construction blacktopped. Supervisor Fitch stated that they are coming back to do the shoulder back up.
8. OTHER MATTERS AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS – items not in the agenda but came up during the meeting: Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department is having their annual appreciation dinner on Saturday, October 21st at 6pm and the supervisors were invited to attend.
Alex Grubb, Secretary of the Sheffield Lions Club gave the township the Memorial Park balances from the fundraiser for 2023 Fireman’s Festival, balance in that account is $13,755.66. Supervisor Fitch also read the letter from the Lions Club thanking the community for all the help during the festival in working the concession stand and mentioned all the renovations and upgrades to Memorial Park that have been completed utilizing this account.
9. ADJOURNMENT ACTION Motion/Second Lindberg/Fitch all were in favor at 6:35pm until next meeting on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 6pm at Sheffield Food Pantry.
________________________________________________
Administrator/Treasurer
__________________________________________
J. Jay Fitch, Supervisor
__________________________________________
Nathan Lindberg, Supervisor
