• Version
  • Download 49
  • File Size 161.20 KB
  • File Count 1
  • Create Date June 5, 2016
  • Last Updated June 5, 2016

04/27/16 Warren County Commissioners Meeting Minutes

Warren County Commissioners Public Meeting

April 27, 2016 12:00 p.m.

Jackson Courtroom

Commissioner Cindy Morrison called the meeting of the Warren County Commissioners to order with Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin and Commissioner Jeff Eggleston present.

Staff Present: Pam Matve, Chief Clerk, Angela Faga, Lori Bimber, Todd Lake, Karen Beardsley, Carl McKee, and Aaron Kalkbrenner

Citizens Present: Brian Ferry (WTO), Nathan Burkett, Blaine Burkett, Steven Whiteley, Martha Whiteley, Lee Denlinger, Lynn Denlinger, David Gustafson, Wendy Suppa, Frank Suppa, Jeremy Toman, Cindy Thurston, Arden Knapp, Brad Ehrhart, and Alma Ehrhart

Public Hearing:

Rezoning of Parcel; YV-937-4619 in Pleasant Twp. from R1 Residential to BT Business Transitional: Commissioner Cindy Morrison opened the public meeting by reading the legal notification that was in the paper both April 13 and again April 20, 2016. She then confirmed with Aaron Kalkbrenner that along with the advertising of this public hearing were the neighbors all notified of the possible change; to which Aaron stated yes. Commissioner Cindy Morrison then turned the public hearing over to Aaron for explanation.

Aaron Kalkbrenner, Zoning Officer, stated that Frank Suppa owned 2750 Rt 62, Irvine PA, Sugar Grove Hardwoods. He is wishing to change the adjoining property so that he may use this to expand his lumber company by using it to store the lumber and possibly open up a retail business.

Commissioner Cindy Morrison asked; what is the recommendation of the Planning Commission? Aaron stated they are in favor of this change. It

Commissioner Cindy Morrison then opened the floor for comments by asking Mr. Suppa why this request to which he stated that he is wanting to expand his business. Commissioner Jeff Eggleston asked what will this property be used for, Mr. Suppa stated that it will be used for storage of lumber, the saw mill will stay right where it is.

Alex Zawaki spoke in full support of Frank Suppa and what he is trying to do. Anyone who expands a business and may give one or two more people jobs, I am for that. I am a self-employed contractor and have been purchasing my lumber at Sugar Grove Hardwoods since 1975. They have always had trouble with water run off as long as I can remember.

Lee Denlinger spoke against this request; he stated that there is one lot between him and the lumber yard. The parcel next to it floods, and we are concerned about more flooding. Number two, the saw dust pile is at the lowest it has been in a long time, but it smokes, and frequently catches fire to where the fire dept. has to be called out. Mr. Denlinger went on to state that he has mild asthma and my wife has COPD. The last time the chip pile caught fire, my wife had an attach that did not clear up for months.

Dave Gustafson state that this hearing is about storing of lumber. The Hardwoods have been there for years; now you want to complain about lumber storage. Mr. Denlinger the Hardwoods were there when you bought your property.

Alex Zawaki stated that he could offer Mr. Suppa a way to dispose of the old saw dust. It is plowing time, and I can use this to plow into my fields.

Alma Erhart stated that the saw dust that is in the air is terrible, and I am tired of it. Also the water run off; you should come see it when it rains, come take photos. Aaron Kalkbrenner said that he had photos and showed them to the Commissioners. Aaron also went on to state that we are not here today to address the water run off; this would be taken care of by the municipality and this is considered flood plain.

Commissioner Cindy Morrison stated that our task today is to either approve or disapprove the rezoning of this parcel. Any further actions would then include several agencies before further use of the property.

Alma Erhart asked if further review has been done to which Mr. Suppa stated no, I am not going to spend a lot of money for a review if the rezoning is not done.

Frank Suppa stated that since the zoning hearing meeting, I have had DCNR called on me, and I have a document at home that states I am doing nothing wrong.

Knox Law Firm Attorney stated that the water issues will be handled at a later date through separate layers. Today is strictly for rezoning. Along the Rt 62 corridor 17 parcels are zoned BT Business Transitional. Other factors come into play regarding COPD, it is not the saw dust that is the main contributor. Bark is mulch, not saw dust.

Arden Knapp, Township Supervisor, stated that he just returned from a conference, and the water problem is our major concern. If Mr. Suppa fill in the field, it may help; and we also feel that Penn Dot is largely responsible for this flooding and hopefully we can get some help from them to correct it.

Commissioner Jeff Eggleston stated that he is on the TAC committee and Penn Dot is planning on doing some work on Rt. 62 this year. He asked that all involved document issues and they can be discussed at a later time.

Frank Suppa stated that there are two large hills that the water has to get over to get to the river. I have tried to put a ditch in but the neighbors do want me digging up their yards. They have been very hard to work with over the years.

Wendy Suppa stated that the creation of bark will not be a concern, this property will be used to store lumber, over the years, and no one has come to us with any concerns until we want to expand our business.

Martha Whitely stated that she has health concerns as her husband has COPD, and the smoke and dust is a big concern. I also do want to sit on my porch, and see lumber piles; this will mean more rodents and this is not a good thing.

Alma Erhart also stated that the sewer system will be effected by the run off, so what will happen to our wells. And the traffic will continue to increase.

Alex Zawaki: There will by many phases of a business expanding including Penn Dot, State and Federal agencies; again they will be the ones to address all the issues we have heard today, not this board. They will be using the new lot for storage, not creating more problems.

Martha Whitely stated that this will make our property values go down if we want to sell.

Brad Erhart addressed the fact that this father has passed away a few years ago, his last years he was hooked to an oxygen tank and he turned to address Mr. Suppa and stated that his father will never come back. First it will be lumber storage, then a retail store, then they will add a kiln. The run off is killing the trees, this is coming from the saw dust pile. This will cause more mosquitoes. We have many concerns.

Know Law Firm stated that they have a right to continue to rum their business as it is, which the water issues must be in compliance or they would not be doing business.

Commissioner Cindy Morrison stated that further in the meeting there is an approval or disapproval resolution that would allow this move if approved.

After nothing further, the public hearing was closed at 12:44 and the regular meeting was started.

Old Business:

New Business:

Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to approve the minutes from April 13, 2016. Motion carried unanimously.

Fiscal Report: Angela Faga reported cash on hand of $1,151,452.00 and in the restricted account a balance of $742,105.00. We are expecting to pay accounts payable in the amount of $498,097 which is the secure rural schools funds to be disbursed to the municipalities.

Motion was made by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to approve the fiscal report as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Fiscal Director Judith Albaugh did bring down the amended fiscal report which amended the cash on hand of $1,649,549.00.

Proclamation-National Foster Care Month: Motion was made by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston, seconded by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin to approve the proclamation proclaiming May 2016 as National Foster Care Month in Warren County. Motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Jeff Eggleston added that he knows many foster parents and we just applaud them for opening up their homes and hearts to those children that need homes.

Ordinance #243 Rezoning of Parcel YV-934-4619 from R1 Residential to BT Business Transitional: Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin stated that today we heard about six different concerns to which most of these need addressed we agree, but not by this group. The Zoning Commission has also heard these same concerns and they are recommending that this be approved.

Commissioner Cindy Morrison stated that she echoes what Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin stated, our position today is to approve or disapprove the rezoning request.

Commissioner Jeff Eggleston also stated that he is also in agreement with his colleagues. He went on to state that he took a drive out to the property and evaluated it. He can see all sides and all concerns. But to stop the ability of a business to expand when there are several other properties already zoned Business Transitional in a residential area. I support expanded business in our county. With regards to the number two concern of the residence, I do understand but you municipality, DEP etc. are the agencies you need to lobby to. For instance the storm water plan was put into place just for this situation. We have put a lot of thought into this request.

Motion was made by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to approve Ordinance #243 allowing the rezoning of Parcel YV-934-4619 to go from “R1” Residential 1 to “BY” Business Transitional. Motion carried unanimously.

Agreement for RIP grant for Adult Probation: Carl McKee gave a brief review of what this two year grant covers. He stated that it will cover the benefits and wages of three adult probation officers along with other services that Adult probations provides such as monitored house arrest.

Motion was made by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to approve the RIP grant with the PA Crime and Delinquency for two years at a total of $486,026.00. Motion carried unanimously.

Agreement with Cuyahoga Vending: Motion was made by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to approve the agreement with Cuyahoga Vending to place a snack vending machine in the courthouse, and the flower fund will receive 10% of the sales. Motion carried unanimously.

Proclamation – Mental Health Awareness Month: Motion was made Commissioner Jeff Eggleston, seconded by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin to adopt the proclamation proclaiming May 2016 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Warren County. Motion carried unanimously.

Proclamation – Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month: Motion was made by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to adopt the proclamation proclaiming May 2016 as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month in Warren County. Motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Cindy Morrison went on to state that in recognition of Neurofibromatosis Awareness we will continue to keep Lady Liberty lit in blue for the month of May.

Agreement with National Curriculum & Training Institute: Motion was made Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to approve this agreement for Adult Probation. Motion carried unanimously.

Award of Tree Removal: Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin stated that the insurance company has identified this tree as a hazard as most of it is dead therefore we must remove it. Commissioner Jeff Eggleston went on to state that this is the tree out by the cannon that is a historic relic so we do not want it coming down on top.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston, seconded by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin to approve the award of the tree removal, grinding out of stump, and removal of wood to Bentley Tree Service at a cost of $1,150.00. Motion carried unanimously.

Human Services:

Children & Youth:

Citizens Comments/Concerns:

Todd Lake took a moment to thank Commissioner Jeff Eggleston for his kind words for foster parents in our county. Todd went onto state that he and his wife were foster parents before adopting their youngest son.

Commissioner Comments/Concerns:

Adjournment: Motion was made by Commissioner Benjamin Kafferlin, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Eggleston to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned 1:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Approved:

Pamela J. Matve Jeff Eggleston, Secretary

Chief Clerk Warren County Commissioner