Minutes of the Pequea Township Board of
Supervisors meeting held December 17, 2008 at
7:00 p.m. at the Pequea Township Building, 1028
Millwood Road, Willow Street, Pa. 17584
Present at the meeting were: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Robert Race, Jr., Chairman
Bruce G. Groff, Vice-Chairman
Virginia K. Brady, Supervisor
Secretary-Treasurer, Patsy L. Davis
Zoning/Code Officer, Wes Bruckno
Others present: Attached Sign-In Sheet
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- On December 15, 2008 a personnel meeting was held by the Board of Supervisors.
- The Board of Supervisors Reorganization meeting will be held Monday, January 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Following reorganization, the meetings will be held the third Wednesday each month at 7:00 p.m.
- The Board of Auditors meeting will be held Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
- The Park & Recreation Board meeting will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Thereafter, the second Wednesday each month at 7:00 p.m.
- The Planning Commission meeting will be held Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Thereafter, the first Thursday each month at 7:30 p.m.
- The Environmental Advisory Council meetings will be held February 10, April 14, June 9, August 11, October 13, and December 8, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
- All of the above meeting dates and times will be posted.
- We have a new Right to Know Officer. It will be Gloria Chmial. She offered to do that. Thank you. Gloria Chmiel, Robert Race and Bruce Groff will be attending a course on this December 18 on the new Right to Know Law which takes effect January 1, 2009.
PUBLIC COMMENT: A reasonable opportunity for public comment will be provided before the Board of Supervisors takes official action on an item. Public comment on items included on the agenda will be taken at the appropriate time. Public comment on items not included on the agenda will be taken at the end of the business meeting. One hour will be allowed at the end of the business for public comment. If you do not get to speak please leave your name with the secretary to be placed on the next meeting agenda. Please come to the podium and limit your comments to five minutes so that others can speak if they wish. Please give your name for the minutes. We will hear public comments on items not previously addressed. We will not hear items of business where decisions have been made by the Supervisors on comments and complaints. It has become redundant to continuously bring them back to the Board. That time can be given to others who wish to speak. The first and foremost priority of this meeting is to publicly conduct Pequea Township business. In that effort, I sincerely ask everyone in attendance to stay focused on what is of best interest for our township and during that process be respectful towards other people’s comments, concerns and/or feelings. Expression of personal feelings of disrespect or disruption of this meeting is not an option, conducting business is.
SOUTHERN REGIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Copies are on the table.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: November 19, 2008 copies are on the table. Comment was made by Ken Adams regarding the November 13, 2009 minutes and his comment about the days of the week listed on the new Right to Know Resolution and information forms as Monday through Thursday. Regardless of what times the officer is available a citizen should have the right to pick up the forms on any day the office is open. When he was here last Friday he was told he could not pick up the form because the hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 am to 5 pm. Robert Race said that will be corrected. Any time the office is open you may pick up the form. Secondly, Mr. Adams also stated that he felt another correction should be made. On Nov. 13 there was a discussion on employee raises for 2009. One supervisor proposed 3%might be sufficient, another said 5.4% for 2009 and the third supervisor agreed to let the budget at 5.4%. The minutes reflect that a raise of between 3% and 5% would be given when in reality it was decided to leave 5.4% in the budget. Thirdly, he was not allowed to speak during those meetings. Section 10, Article 1 of the Sunshine Law which says that any time you are deliberating a matter, you must offer a reasonable time for the citizens to speak. It’s not a formal complaint. I’m just asking it to be corrected. Robert Race stated they were advertised as workshops and they have only been done like that and deliberations were being done the whole time. Mr. Adams stated he just wants the Sunshine Law to be followed in the future. Robert Race stated that will be done. Also, on Oct. 29 Mr. Adams said that Robert Race told him something would be available for him to follow at the next workshop Nov. 13. That did not happen and no information was handed out that the supervisors used to make their deliberations. He was not allowed to speak. Mr. Adams will not file any charges as the thirty day time limit has passed but the Sunshine Law needs to be followed in future. Robert Race moved to adopt the November 19, 2008 minutes as printed with corrections of Nov. 13 as requested by Ken Adams. Virginia Brady seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
SECRETARY TREASURER REPORT: A copy of the bill list and financial reports
is on the table. Ken Adams asked on the General Fund ledger what is the money paid to AFLAC for? Robert Race stated that is a cancer insurance that the employees pay for themselves. Robert Race moved to approve checks #6034 through #6059 of the General Fund, checks #1895 through #1898 of the Recreation Fund, checks #325-327 of the State Highway Aid Fund, and check #611 of the Street Light Fund. Virginia Brady seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
OLD BUSINESS:
- 537 Plan Update – Robert Race reported he, Ken Adams, and John Hickey met with a DEP representative and the township attorney on the 537 Plan update. We can move forward or we can do nothing and wait for DEP to mandate the requirement for inspection and pumping on lot systems, which may happen in three to five years. Mr. Race thanked Ken Adams for his knowledgeable help at the meeting. We can do a five year plan which splits the township into five parts requiring an inspection and pumping every five years. John Hickey informed everyone the Mr. Adams spent many hours working on this on-lot management system and he has public sewer. He thanked Mr. Adams. Harry Lehman asked if there will be public hearings on this. Mr. Race said there will be, yes. Virginia Brady stated she also worked a whole year on this.
- Code Administrators, Inc. requested to be considered as a third party code inspector for Pequea Township. Wes Bruckno has checked and they do meet the requirements. Robert Race moved to accept Code Administrators, Inc. as a third party code inspector for Pequea Township. Virginia Brady seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Silver Mine Road Bridge Project – ARRO has obtained three cost proposals from the following firms:
American Testing Labs, Inc. for $6,905.00
Earth Engineering, Inc. for $15,365.00
ECS-MID-ATLANTIC for $17,240.00
Bruce Groff commented that this service is needed to design the foundation of the bridge replacement.
Virginia Brady commented that when she saw the difference in the bids she questioned ARRO. Darrell Becker stated that American Testing Labs, Inc. has done other work in Salisbury Twp. and did a good job.
Robert Race moved to approve for American Testing Labs, Inc. to provide the Geotechnical Services needed to design the foundation of the Silver Mine road bridge proposed for replacement. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- Robert Race moved to appoint Harry Lehman to attend and represent Pequea Township at the LIMC Park & Recreation meeting. Bruce Groff seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed. Harry Lehman explained that this is a one time attendance until the Park & Recreation Board appoints someone.
- EAC – John Hickey stated that they are still working on the burning ordinance. They need to decide who will enforce it and will sit with the zoning officer and the police.
- Harnish Tract Capacity Request – Robert Race moved to approve the public sewer capacity request for 180 EDU’s for Oak Hill Partners, proposing to develop an approximate 35.6 acre tract located at the southwest corner of the intersection between West Willow Road and Willow Street Pike South. Virginia Brady seconded the motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
- Ken Adams thanked Virginia Brady for explaining EDU’s to him in relation to the 537Plan.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Roadcrew - Work report on file.
Zoning/Code Officer – Work report on file. Wes Bruckno reported that the zoning ordinance amendments are still being worked on by the township solicitor.
Legal Liaison – Robert Race reported that Mr. Crosswell is sending something on the 537 Plan update.
ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS:
Minutes of the advisory board’s are available on the table.
Pequea Township Planning Commission – Meeting cancelled December 4, 2008.
Pequea Township EAC – Meeting held December 9, 2008.
Pequea Township Park & Recreation Board – Meeting held December 10, 2008. Harry Lehman commented that he will file an annual report in January. He reported that his fellow park board members had a 98% attendance rate for 2008. They were the number one board the second year in a row. Their attendance for 2007 was 96%. Harry reported being 20% under budget for 2008 and raised over $20,000.00 in donations for the park, including all funds necessary for the community day events. Volunteers donated thousands of hours of time, equipment, material donations were abundant. Many fun things are planned for community day 2009 and will be raising money for that starting tonight. Money has been raised for the handicapped fishing pier. Tim Weaver and Gary Virgil, township residents, are building a bridge over Silver Mine Run. They are supplying all the materials.
Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee – Virginia Brady stated some of the townships are still concerned about tattoo parlors, and the Harrisburg Pike corridor that is being worked on.
Lancaster County Planning Commission – Virginia Brady stated the County Planning Commission has a new address at 150 N. Queen Street.
PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT A 2009 BUDGET
The proposed 2009 budget has been properly advertised for public comment from November 24, 2008 through December 17, 2008, copies being available by telephone, fax, or e-mail. The proposed budget has been placed on the township website in addition to being available at the township building. A copy is on the table.
Entered into the record was an explanation of the proposed budget figures for the different accounts including the General Fund with PNC Bank and several Funds with Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust. This was read by Virginia Brady and Robert Race.
GENERAL FUND (PNC) CHECKING AND SAVINGS
There will be no real estate tax increase for 2009. Due to the economy the Supervisors have made every effort to keep the expenses in line with the anticipated revenue. The real estate tax has been based on the taxable valuation of $295,626,300.00 as appearing on the assessment rolls for the year 2009 resulting in the amount of $458,220.00 at 1.55 mills. Prior year and delinquent real estate tax is received each year.
Real estate transfer tax is based on an average over the last five years.
Earned income tax amount is based on the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau 2008-2009 Distribution EIT Notice.
Interest has been estimated much lower due to the economy. All revenue is deposited into an interest bearing account and is only transferred when paying expenses.
The Lancaster County Election Board rents Pequea Township Building for both the primary and general elections.
State revenue is received from several sources.
The recycling grant is based on the amount of recycling that is reported to Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority by your hauler and also by any items that you may take there yourself. This grant is received annually. This grant is done by the County.
Sewage enforcement costs are reimbursed at 50% from the Department of Environmental Protection annually. This report is generated and sent by the secretary-treasurer each year.
The public utility reality tax is received annually. The report is generated and sent by the secretary-treasurer each year.
Alcoholic beverage revenue is received based on the licenses in Pequea Township.
Pension state aid is received annually to support the costs for the non-uniform employee pension fund. This plan is a defined contribution plan. Employees may contribute from their pay. The supervisors set a percentage of contribution which is reimbursed in part by the state aid. An annual report of wages is generated and sent by the secretary-treasurer.
Planning and zoning fees have been estimated based on the last five years averaged. The Act 537 Plan is being updated. This revenue is estimated at 50% reimbursement of sewage costs for the plan update.
Pequea Township road workers do provide winter maintenance for two PADOT roads and are reimbursed for this service based on mileage. Millwood Road and Baumgardner Road.
Misc. revenue shows recycling from the road crew for scrap metals and steel taken to a recycling center. Workers comp refund is an annual revenue from previous year audits.
Fuel reimbursement from the volunteer fire companies and the police department is shown. Pequea Township obtains fuel from either the county or state contract which bids annually for the lowest costs. This is made available to both volunteer fire companies and the police.
The estimated year end balance forward 12/31/2008 is approximately the same as last year.
Expenditures
General government includes costs for supervisors pay, an annual Certified Public Accountant audit, bonding for the supervisors and secretary-treasurer, dues, conferences and training seminars.
Administration includes costs for the salary of the secretary treasurer, the receptionist, pension contributions for those employees, advertising, printing of the Pequea Pulse, office supplies, postage, office machine costs, and telephone costs for all departments.
Legal services include costs for all legal matters generated by the supervisors.
Computer services, hardware, software, repairs, etc. for all departments.
Engineering services include costs for all bridge inspections, bridge constructions, reviews of proposed subdivisions, stormwater management applications, and stormwater projects for our roads.
Township building costs include cleaning, supplies, maintenance and repairs, renovations, electricity, propane and alarm services.
Regional police services include an annual cost, paid quarterly, supporting our 24 hour police coverage. Please contact Chief John Fiorill at 872-0352 if you wish to inspect their budget or have any questions.
Fire services include an annual donation to West Willow and New Danville volunteer fire companies. This amount is divided equally. This amount in no way provides the annual costs to support the volunteer services. Please donate when receiving their fund drive each year and support their activities throughout the year. Each fire company does provide an annual financial report to Pequea Township.
Planning and zoning includes costs for the annual salary of the zoning officer, zoning hearing board pay, advertising, printing, zoning legal services, new ordinances, and the Act 537 plan update.
Emergency management cost includes update for the local plan and any supplies that the emergency management officer for Pequea Township may need.
Housing for stray dogs and cats for 2009 includes a contract with the Humane League of Lancaster County. This year the cost for the contract does include the new spay-neuter program for cats. ORCA will still pick up injured animals.
Sewage enforcement includes costs for the salary and supplies of the sewage enforcement officer.
Waste management costs include trash pickup at the township building and trash gathered from the park.
Roads and highways include salaries of the road master and roadcrew, full and part-time, pension contributions, supplies, tools, all vehicle and equipment maintenance, fuel and snow removal costs. Estimates for materials are 20% higher than 2008. Depending on the economy costs for fuel and materials may be lower than anticipated. This will just allow for more road work to be scheduled with these savings.
Traffic signals include the monthly costs for service and maintenance of each of the five traffic signals located in Pequea Township, road signs and guard rails.
Storm drains and bridges include a cost to complete the Run Valley road culvert replacement.
Road maintenance includes costs of patching roads, line painting and tree removal.
Donations include Lancaster County Library, Conestoga Historical Society, and the Lancaster County Drug Enforcement Program.
Debt payments are shown for an annual amount for the Silver Mine Park and the 2006 Peterbilt truck.
Employee benefits include a self insured program and dental insurance. There will be no increase for renewal rates 2009.
Workers comp and liability insurance premiums have been estimated based on the current loss history.
Employer taxes are based on estimated payroll costs.
Group health, life and disability premiums have been estimated with a 10% increase for 2009. In 2008 we received a 3% decrease in these costs. The group policy does not renew until March 2009. At that time if no decrease is realized costs will be obtained through our broker for comparable premiums before renewing with the present company. Every two to three years a search for comparable costs is done. Update – The secretary has contacted the current broker and a second company for cost quotes.
Transfers are going to be made to the recreation fund which supports the Silver Mine park cost budget for 2009 and the street light fund which includes costs for overhead lightings at the intersections.
An estimated year end balance 12/31/2009 is approximately the same as 2008.
PLGIT (PENNSYLVANIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT TRUST)
All PLGIT accounts earn interest and also provide free checking. Most are capital holding funds and used for setting aside funds for anticipated projects or large purchases. Some are operating accounts. An explanation for each account is shown. If any questions please contact us.
Questions and comments were taken from the floor.
Tina Virgil: I understand that people are here because of a mailing that went out. The next time this happens, perhaps we should have the meeting some place else so all the people can sit down.
Jay Reynolds: I have some questions with the summary. I think it’s on the first page. A pension state aid is received annually to support the non-uniform pension fund. This fund is a defined contribution fund. My point here is it does not say anything about what the percentage is, what percentage the state contributes and what the township contributes; what the total percentage is or what that cost is per employee per year. My point is it’s very vague.
On the back page at group health, life and disability you talk about a premium and it don’t mean a whole lot when you don’t know what the amount is. It’s my understanding that it cost in excess of $16,000 for four out of the five employees for their health coverage for themselves and their families. One additional employee cost over $21,000. Is that an accurate statement?
Robert Race: Yes, I believe that is in the budget. It’s not spelled out on what your reading but it is in the budget. Is it in the budget or do you have it all consolidated?
Pat Davis: The new budget for 2009 includes a 10% increase, but actually we did get a 9% decrease from 2007 to 2008. 10% was included for 2009 because we don’t renew until March. We’re hoping for another decrease. I’ve already contacted two companies for comparable costs to renew in March of 2009.
Jay Reynolds: But my point is another 10% is $1,700 and we’re paying $18,000 to $19,000 for one employee and that employee who currently costs $21,000 is going to go up to $23,000. I wanted to point out what that was. Back on the pension I wanted to point out that what the township contributes is 11% and the state contributes 9%.
Bruce Groff: I think historically on your comment I believe the township picks up 9% and the state is 11%. I think what has to be heard is that Patty is looking into several. One is our current provider and other people who might be able to give us a better deal. The options for what will be taken are wide open.
Jay Reynolds: How often do you look at other insurance options? Do you do that every two years? Every three years?
Bruce Groff: I think it’s every three years.
Pat Davis: Brian will do that every three years or every year automatically to look for costs.
Jay Reynolds: I’m getting the impression here that they are getting 20% pension and the average employee making $40,000 a year; that would be another $8,000 on top of the employee’s insurance premium which is $18,000 to $22,000, you’re starting to look at one for $30,000 and one for $26,000 and that’s just for two of the benefits. That doesn’t mention all of the other benefits that we didn’t mention on the flyer we sent out. Like layoffs; the employee can be laid off for up to one year and still receive all their benefits. That would be the hospitalization, etc. If an employee is laid off does that mean that they still get paid holidays? Because that is one of the benefits they have. Do they still get paid for vacation while they are off? Does it mean they get their personal days? Does it mean they get funeral leave? A few things I didn’t mention on the flyer. I’m just trying to point out some costs here that are involved. On page 21 they talk about sick leave. If an employee has over 10 years of full time employment they are entitled to an additional 5 sick days per year of service. That means after 10 years an employee could get another 50 days if they had an eligible excuse.
Robert Race: Explain that again.
Jay Reynolds: It’s in your policy. I didn’t write this. It’s on page 21 and starts off sick leave. And then you go to funeral leave. You get 3 days paid leave of absence from work to handle personal affairs and attend funerals of deceased members. And then you have compassionate leave. And then jury duty. If they have to go to jury duty they get the difference from what the jury pays and what their normal pay is. And they continue to get their benefits when they are on workers comp. Some of these should be covered by insurance. When a person is off more than a few weeks you should have insurance to pick up. Why should the taxpayers pick up that insurance? I’m talking about prudent management of tax payers money here. This is a non-uniform employee personnel policy here. You can all get it under the Right to Know Law. You can e-mail me and I can send you a copy of it. You can read through this and educate yourself and see what’s going on here.
Harry Lehman: Bob, can I step in here and clarify a few things for you.
Jay Reynolds: I wanted to say one more thing. Anyone who wants that just e-mail me at pequeajay@comcast.net. I just started that. Thank you.
Harry Lehman: My name is Harry Lehman. I’m one of the authors of the flyer you received in the mail. Others were involved and after much discussion it was agreed upon that the flyer would not be sent out without signatures. There were two signatures on the flyer because Jay and I paid for the mailing. The flyer was not written for political gain but merely to bring issues to the public. When you look at the flyer and there is any confusion the top paragraph is what the employee’s ask for prior to the first budget workshop. It was ask for; don’t let anybody tell you is wasn’t. I got it on tape. So we’re not going to get a —- move tonight. The rest of it is benefits they already have. During the two budget meetings we were not permitted to voice our views. I understand the budget workshops cannot be a free for all. That being said how else can we communicate? I’d like to point out that in no way do I want to offend any employee of the township personally. Township secretary, Gloria Chmiel and her husband, Phil, are very good personal friends of my wife and I. Phil and I serve on the Park & Recreation Board together. Phil and Gloria have both donated their time and money to the park. I want to make that clear. We’ve had many conversations prior to the mailing of the flyer, meaning Gloria, Phil and I. Gloria is a township employee. There was nothing underhanded here. I am a retired small business owner and have had to make many tough decisions through the years. But doing my budgets I not only looked at one year in the future but three, five, seven and ten. How would my decisions I make in business effect my business and my employees. You always got to be thinking out. I’m going to quickly point out a few observations to you folks. After reviewing the past two township budgets and doing a total cost analysis for the future, the outlook is very dim. In my opinion a minimum tax increase of 50% is inevitable unless we get real and get real fast. And not just on this issue. This is the first discussion of many to prevent an unnecessary burden on the taxpayers. The dog can’t catch his tail any longer. It’s as simple as that. I’m no way suggesting pay cuts. These families need the stability of a pay check so they can do their own budgets. In fact, I personally feel they should get a reasonable, fair cost of living increase. Here’s the problem folks. An unrealistic benefit package creates a financial burden on the township such as a $2000 —- free stipend after we are already paying 100% of their health care premiums. I have always supported health care benefits paid jointly for myself and my employees. This is not the case in Pequea Township. We’re going to get this state thing squared right away. It’s been passed around. The facts are going to speak. We’ve received approximately.45% of what gets put into their retirement, their 40K, everybody can understand that language. It’s not 11-9, its not 11. The state kicks roughly 9, some years we go in the red and we don’t get 9. The state kicks in 9 and the township, you kick in 11. So on $200,000 worth of payroll you folks kick in $22,000. Does that help you out? Let’s get the facts straight. I’m tired of dances. I do not feel it’s prudent for the taxpayers to pay 11%. If I could have given my employees 9% they would have been giving me the Christmas bonus, not me doing it for them.
Tina Virgil: Harry, you said this is non-uniform. Did you do the packet for the uniform too?
Harry Lehman: No. Now, 120 hours of sick pay – that’s 15 eight hour days’ folks. An additional 120 hours of holiday pay, that’s 15 eight hour holidays, 30 hours of personal days, that’s 4 eight hour days, 2 hours short, is extremely excessive considering the —- unemployment in Pequea Township. An employee can cash in unused sick pay creating a liability on the balance sheet for us right now. We have to recognize that possibility. 1 hour paid lunch each work day is an issue I can’t even stomach. It’s disgusting. The township vacation pay policy should be changed to use it or loose it. I worked with my employees. You used it. At the end of the year I wasn’t paying you for it. We are paying for it. You have 15 sick days, 15 holidays, and 3 personal days, —— you use them all up. And the end of the year you cash in your insurance. Or you cash out your vacation. That’s ridiculous. Use it or loose it. We should work together to make practical decisions to avoid putting our township in dire situation ladies and gentlemen. I’m not saying no one should get sick days. I’m not saying no one should get health care. I’m not saying any of those things. I’m saying apparently through the years they have added on to these benefits and this year there was an attempt to add two more layers; another paid holiday and an additional insurance company. And I was told by a township employee two weeks prior to their meeting that they understood the need to make concessions. I get this, boom. I go to a township meeting, a budget meeting, two of them. I go to everything, you all know that. I couldn’t speak and make suggestions, talk to people. I’ve been stonewalled. There was only one person who responded to a request by me and that was Bruce Groff when I asked him to —– insurance. He did respond to me on Monday that he was working on it. Under full disclosure here. What’s going on in this township here is going on too long. From letters that Jay and I received from individuals that wanted to come here tonight but were afraid to come and asked us to speak for them. Folks this isn’t personal, this is business. Thank you. Applause
Ken Adams: Mr. Lehman chose not to speak to the lunch hour costs. I want it to be known that in my 32 years I served as a union member, I served as a union negotiator. If I would have ever negotiated a package of this caliber folks I wouldn’t have to worry about the collapse all of us has faced in September because my union would have made sure I was set for life. That being said I want it to be known right here and now that I do not want to take one penny that people have earned. But that being said as well, my dad told me a long time ago; he didn’t give me lots of advice. He gave me one that I did remember for a long, long time. And he said to me, son, I don’t care what you do, but you just remember that you owe your employer a full day’s work for a full days pay which leads me now to the lunch hour. Whether the township has these people working 17 hours a day for two days and 6 hours another day for a 40 hour week or whether they work 4 ten hour days or 5 eight hour days, I don’t care what the combination is. I do not agree with having you paid for your lunch. Let’s talk about the present situation. They are now working 4 ten hour days, 7 am to 5 pm. I want people to have lunch break. ——- I want them to have a rest. I don’t want to pay for it. I don’t want to put the road crew out in harms way by having to work before 7 am or have to work until 5 pm. It isn’t safe. And if someone sends them out on the road at that time they say “we’re not going to do it. It’s not safe.” I hope that somebody can figure out a way to get around this because if I take 1 hour rate of pay for each of the five full time employees and if I take the minimum; there are some part time employees as well, there is a full time, part time employee. I think you people know what that means who works on a regular basis but not 40 hours, but works at least one lunch time per day. I’m going to use the minimum they pay a part time employee and if they take a second part time employee. There are four or five, I’m going to use the next to lowest salary. For one hour for one year I’m going to take 185 days times — employees, I’m going to use 185 folks and 40 hours for the one person who works full time-part time and I’m going to use 40 hours for another and I’m going to put their salaries together with the pension money and what we are paying FICA and what we are paying Medicare. Just those folks, just those figures, I wish I had my monopoly game with me. Martin Harnish do you have your five gallon bucket because I’d like to put $22,129.12 in it and burn it. $22,129.12 up in smoke while somebody eats lunch. Item 2 People talked about various benefits. Here are the benefits and costs. Full time employees folks. Medical insurance for 2008, I’m not inflating them. I’m going to use this one. We know next year’s are going to be higher. $87,390.96 – Pension based upon 40 hours per week. $37,053.30 – Dental Insurance $3,014.40 Co-Pay $10,000 – that’s $2000 per full time employee. I want to add in here right now, there are one or two employees who do not take all of this. There is one employee in particular who does not use this. There is $1500 available for clothing. If it was just for safety shoes I would never have mentioned this. Life insurance $2,748.84. Mr. Lehman talked about this extensively. Over the last three years the average amount of money the full time employees received for unused vacation pay was $3,317.00 approximately. If I used just that average figure folks for this year, those dollars go towards benefits for the employees that they don’t have to pay for. And better than that all of these are after tax dollars. $142,675.48 Every number that I have used folks has come off of an official record of Pequea Township. All of us are very much aware of cost of living; there are some of us who are collecting social security; and some that may be hoping they are. I just want to run down just for the record the colas for the cost of living for all of us, for you people on a fixed income. I can’t say that because my wife still has a variable income so it is not fixed for the last seven or eight years. Next year it will be 5.8%, I think you just got yours in the mail. This year it was the same. 2.3 – 3.0 – 3.3 – 4.1 – 2.7 – 2.1- 1.40 – 2.60 – 3.50 Those are the cost of living increases people on social security have gotten since the year 200 – 2001. I was a school teacher and there were many times people have said, oh one of those big retirements. Yes, I have a nice retirement folks, I do. But, when I took a job in 1965 I was being paid $4500 a year. I was told you must put 5.5% into your retirement. You don’t have a choice son. In the last years, the employers, the school districts have been contributing these rates to that luscious fund. 1.94% - 1.09% - 1.15% - 3.77% - 4.23% - 4.69 – 6.46 – 7.13 – and in the present year 2008-2009 they are contributing 4.76%. During this same time the employees, anybody who is hired after 1984 are all paying 7.5%. The salaries have gone up some $4500. I know that but that’s another fact. Mr. Lehman referenced the declining General Fund. Again, these are Pequea Township records. 12/31/2004 – ending General Fund balance $438,868.01 12/31/2005 - $474,044.86 12/31/2006 - $359,237.88 12/31/2007 - $296,061.33 That folks looks to me like a declining balance. Ladies and gentlemen I thank you for your time. I promise unless there is a major catastrophe I will not take your time speaking again tonight. I do appreciate your attendance and I do appreciate your attention. Thank you kindly.
Jay Reynolds: I’d like to sum up one thing here. There’s no way we are picking on the employees of Pequea Township. They can look at the taxpayers ton of gold and do all the wishing they want. But its management’s responsibility to hold that in check. In my own company I had one employee ask me for a sympathy ——. I can’t provide that. My point is that management sets the working environment, culture, everything including work attitude and work ethics, production, training and motivation. It’s always management’s responsibility. Always, always, always. That is not to say that employees do not have an obligation to the taxpayers to register a complaint when they are not being used to their full potential. And they should not have any fear of repercussions if they do complain if they are not being properly utilized. As Harry said we received a lot of phone calls and a lot of letters. And this is just a quick summary of what some of them are. Various people are timing the roadcrew. They know what time they leave the shed in the morning and return at days end. They know when they leave and return from lunch. They know how many people are working, what they are accomplishing and wondering why it takes two people to go to EM Herrs for parts. In conclusion, it’s not the employee’s folks. It’s always management. That’s who we have to look to and hold accountable. Not the employees. The employees can wish all they want. Thank you.
Robert Race: I thank all of you.
Kamala Reese: I don’t have a lot of details like these gentlemen did here. But there are a couple of things I want to point out as a layperson. Actually my husband is on the roadcrew. I’m not partial. I saw the 8.4% salary increase and I told him you are crazy. There is nobody who would ever ask for that. I look at this and if you go back in the policy booklet that Mr. Reynolds has here, that was written in 1995 and I’m trying to figure out why all of sudden now we’re bringing this up that it is ludicrous. The stuff they have now has been in the policy since 1995. Also, they say about the 100% paid premiums. It was not until this year that they finally got dental. The employees in this township never had dental coverage. How many of you people have dental coverage? (Loud voices from the audience) I’m not saying they shouldn’t have to pay towards the insurance. I’m saying they did not have dental coverage until this year. Their life insurance is $10,000. That’s their coverage. A lot of them pay one times the employee’s salary.
Person: Mam, I pay my own. (Loud voices from the audience)
Supervisor Robert Race: Let her finish.
Kamala Reese: The short term disability that is under the accidental health insurance is $150 a week. I have my own insurance and it is paid for by my employer. We’re also looking at the fact that Mr. Adams was up here stating about holidays. They have the government holidays because they are a government entity. Ask him how many holidays he had.
Ken Adams: I never got paid for a holiday in my life.
Kamala Reese: As of last night with this snow people complain about the roads not being plowed until three hours, four hours, a day later. My husband was not home from 7 am yesterday until 12 pm last night plowing peoples road, salting. There are things that we have to give up or they have to give up. They don’t have a life when it snows. They are at work all the time. (Loud voices from the audience) I’m not saying this is all sunshine and flowers and yes, because of the economy now we do have to look at this stuff. I’m coming from the other side of things. I’m sitting at home wondering what my husband is doing out there and he is not home for twelve hours. Where were you people last night? In your warm houses? (Loud voices from the audience)
Mike Magee: I work at a company that has one of those programs. The only thing I want to know is what was the increase? Was it 3.4% - 8.4%? Does anybody know what was put in the budget?
Supervisor Robert Race: I can tell you that. The set up budget we put a 5.4% in there which we don’t set salaries until January. We were watching what the index was going to be. In fact Harry came to me and said he could get that for us and did give it to me. We have not set anything yet for wages.
Mike Magee: That’s what I’m wondering. That’s why everybody is here. We all saw that 8.4% on that paper.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: That is an interesting point. In August of this year it was 5.4%, the inflation rate. We had to work on a budget in September and October. So we needed a number to go with, 5.4% at that time. The budget can’t be worked over in one month or two month. It takes a long period of time to sit down and decide what piece of equipment needs tires, how much we are going to assume the front end load is going to require during the year. We sit down and go over these numbers. But 5.4% was at least a starting point to try to figure out what this budget curtails. Now I under stand that the inflation rate is about 2.2% - 2.6% whatever. So we are actually in a deflation mode at this point. There is no way, shape or form that the 5.4% is what people were getting paid. That was just to work up figures so we have some idea whether we need to increase taxes or not increase taxes, whatever. So it was just used for math. It was a guideline. The paper going around says 8.4%. That was never played with.
Mike Magee: That’s what most people here are wondering about.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: In fact November 13 we said it would probably be between 3 and 5%and it would stay in that area.
Mike Magee: So nobody knows yet is what you are saying?
Supervisor Bruce Groff: Whatever it comes out to. I can’t say. Whoever throws a motion out and whoever seconds it is what it will be. Whatever that is I don’t know. 8.4% is a scary thing.
Mike Magee: That is what I wondered. I think everybody looked at that paper and thought they already have a good benefit package and why would we pay them more money. That’s why everybody is here and interested.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: I assure you it won’t be that.
Mike Magee: I have one of those packages where I work. I am a teamster union guy but we are not getting that kind of percentage increase.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: The other thing I think is you can get into this for ———-paying 100% premium. Okay, I have a car; he has a car. Call them premiums. He drives a Mazarati and I have a Kia. They are both cars. So what kind of a premium are you paying for what? Is it an 80-20 or a 20-80; it depends on what kind of vehicle you bought or the insurance you bought. So it’s 100% of what? What did you really get? Did you get a dentist bill that says the dentist charges $750 and your share of it is $325? It’s a 100% paid premium but that does not mean that you have the Cadillac or Mercedes Bens of the policy.
Mike Magee: We’re concerned with the increase for the year. Benefits. You have people that are paying for their own and not getting an increase and then you have people that are getting 100% and getting a big increase. I don’t see it.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: If you look around at other townships-
Audience Loud Voices – We don’t care about other townships.
Bruce Groff: I’m sorry.
Unknown Man: These first three items here comes up to 270 hours. Its ten days shy of 7 weeks vacation. I was lucky at Armstrong I had 5 and I thought that was good. This is ridiculous. 10 days shy of 7 weeks vacation.
Tina Virgil: I didn’t get a raise this year. I would like to know anybody ——— Working class people, most of us, my husband didn’t get a raise this year, people are tightening up, it’s time to tighten up. I have one question Bruce. I don’t mean this to be disrespectful. But do you vote on these increases? As a supervisor? Again, I’m trying very hard not to be disrespectful. But as someone who is benefiting, it would be like if Patty got to vote or Gloria. I understand, maybe we need to get someone else when it comes down to you income. But if I were you and I was sitting there looking at that package I would go for it. And your vote would matter.
Supervisor Robert Race: Bruce would you explain to her about your wages.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: Yes, everything I get is considered by the Auditors.
Auditor Joe Stehman: As auditors we will sit down and do his package separately from all the other workers. It’s a conflict of interest him being a supervisor and Roadmaster.
Tine Virgil: But he can still vote for these packages. I know he is not voting for his but do you base your decision on what he gets on that?
Auditor Joe Stehman: We base it on lots of things. Namely, how much experience he has, the surrounding municipalities. There are a lot of things that enter into it.
Tina Virgil: But wouldn’t the employee’s budget be part of that? The package that they are getting? You are not going to give him less than what they are getting.
Auditor Joe Stehman: No. I’m just saying that his is decided separately.
Tina Virgil: And one more thing. The meeting that you guys are going to have is during the day. Most of us are working. We would appreciate it if you would start doing this at night. You could get crowds like this and have our input.
Bill Underdunk: This here additional holiday. And they already get 12. I work for the Federal government and the Federal government only has 10 holidays. What are the extra two?
Supervisor Robert Race: I don’t know what they are asking for. I don’t know what holiday.
Secretary Pat Davis: The two are election days, the primary and general election days. The Federal government does not.
Supervisor Robert Race: They asked for 5.4% and —–
Voices from the Audience
Harry Lehman: They asked for 5.4% and then they wanted an extra 3% in July.
Supervisor Robert Race: That’s right. One employee stood up at the meeting and said 5.4% now and 3% in July. Nobody said they were getting that. They were requesting it. And they were requesting another holiday and eye insurance. That is all a request, not what they are getting.
Ken Adams: There is a question from the audience. If somebody would indulge me for 10 seconds to speak to that 8.4 and I have it on tape. The request was made for 8.4 during the October 29 meeting. The request was changed to approximately 5.4% now and possibly 3% in July. Then there was negotiating and then there was deliberations among the supervisors and then the statement was made as I said before; one person said 3 and one said 5.4; then it was agreed that they would put 5.4 in the budget. Now, I believe that there is 5.4 in the budget now.
Jackie Johns: My question is. I’m wondering about the health care plan. No one that I know gets 100% paid. Everybody is paying co-pays and deductibles now. So I’m wondering. I think the three supervisors are in charge of choosing the health plan rather than the employees. Am I correct? I think its really being pro-active in this state of the economy. I think it’s really time for you to look at having the employees contribute based on what these gentlemen have said.
Jackie Johns: My other question is last December I stood up and asked questions about the police budget. For some reason the police budget is ——- nobody is around to question it. Whatever the police submit is approved. We have a fine police department and we have fine Pequea Township employees. I want you to know that since 2004 the police budget has increased 33% with 6% last year with no end in sight. Their employees also have wonderful perks. I also wonder what is going to happen with the police budget down the pike. It’s really wonderful – we may have to be regionalized. Our police department was also wonderful and very cheap but all of a sudden we have to do wonderful things for the —- we’re paying for uniforms, dry cleaning and $8300 for cell phones. Longevity with the perks they have. Why would anyone leave? Its not like Philadelphia, New York or Lancaster where you get shot at. What’s this longevity all about? I suggest that many of you look at the police budget. We don’t want to hassle the police because we’ll only get stopped for speeding and everything. You really need to take a look at it. And I noticed it was not lying on the table. You’re supposed to see the Chief last months minutes. I don’t know if it’s a secret or they don’t want people to know or whether there’s no —- about it.
Supervisor Robert Race: There is no secret about it. We don’t do their budget.
Jackie Johns: But you approve it.
Supervisor Robert Race: Listen to me. The police committee is the one who negotiates their budget. I don’t sit on that. I approve our share of it.
Jackie Johns: You are responsible for it. You approve it.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: We pay for service from the regional police. We pay 53.6% of their budget. Conestoga picks up the other part.
Jackie Johns: This year it was $421,555.00
Supervisor Bruce Groff: At any time you can go down and talk to Chief Fiorill and ask him about the budget. You can attend the police commission meetings.
Jackie Johns: He isn’t the supervisors, you are. I don’t have time to go see Chief Fiorill. I come to these meetings for you to be able to answer my questions.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: You can’t come to the police commission meetings?
Jackie Johns: I don’t even know when they are. They are not listed in the Pequea Pulse.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: If you have any questions you could mark them down. Did you talk to the Chief or any officers?
Jackie Johns: Something is wrong with this picture.
Supervisor Bruce Groff: I don’t think you understand. That’s okay. I highly recommend that anyone who has any questions please come to the police commission meetings. We sometimes get one person. I think it’s a little bit like we talked about spending money. We also talk about the school board. It’s a little like the police commission. Two people show up but big money is being spent. I work on the contract with the police. There is a contract coming up next year. It’s going to be very difficult. There are some things you have to see, if there has to be modifications made on the next contract. Everybody is aware of that but what will come out of that I don’t know. We can’t continue that spiral with the police, we know that. Be it that everybody wants 24/7 it’s a tough call. There’s more to it than what meets the eye. Please come to meetings. Most of the time we have nobody at the meetings. The police commission meets with the police with no residents at all. Like you are saying, $421, 555 coming out of Pequea. Nobody shows up. Not everyone works night shift.
Person: When are those meetings?
Supervisor Bruce Groff: The second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm. At Conestoga Fire Company building. Also, we have a resident that serves two years from each township. Right now it’s Barry Acker from Pequea that is serving on that commission. There’s three people; one supervisor from Conestoga, one supervisor from Pequea and a resident from either Pequea or Conestoga serving a two year term. Again, it’s Barry Acker. He has one year left. Please come.
Tina Locket: The lady who just spoke about the police department. I just finished the police academy at West Lampeter Township. Let me tell you those police officers earn every penny they have. They have 15 officers covering the same region. We have 8 officers. We can’t expect those 8 officers to do the same job. Mrs. Reese commented that her husband is on the road crew and asked how many people get dental coverage. I didn’t see a single hand go up in this room. She was concerned that her husband worked 12 hours salting roads. What about the summer time? I’ve seen the road crew wipe out soil that goes down to the road that people were mowing which they can no longer mow because there is a grade drop off. They mow banks and —- junk onto the side of the road. I don’t see a purpose for that and why are we wasting our money doing that? It says all employees get $300 for clothing. I have never seen a secretary get paid for clothing. I worked for an Environmental Consulting firm. All I was ever given was cold weather gear for outdoors for outside. I had to return the year I left. That belonged to the company. It did not belong to me. Likewise, when I got laid off it was COBRA. Somebody else mentioned social security. I’m not going to ask but those of you who are on social security Medicare takes $96 and you must carry part B, you pay co-pays with your medication, you reach $2700 with your medication and you will pay 100% out of pocket $3000. With the all above have 100% of our insurance covered and if you want something better than Medicare you pay additional and you have to have a Medicare Advantage plan with a premium on top of that. And still you have co-pays. Wouldn’t we all love to have 100%. In addition dental medical everything. Can I have an application? If someone wants to pay me this 100% I’ll take it.
Supervisor Virginia Brady: In addition to the comments tonight we have an e-mail from Karen Boyd.
Gary Virgil: I agree with everything the people say. Everybody is entitled to a good wage and good health benefits. I worked union too but I never had stuff like that. I know we can save money on stuff like this but my concern has always been the park. In three years and a proposed budget of $50,000 next year for the park, one year it was $130,000 and last year at $80,000 Harry said he saved 20% which is $16,000. That is $60,000 a year to maintain this park. I don’t know how many people even go there to that park. I go there all the time with my dogs. For the whole township you are taking care of this park that most of you probably don’t even use. $60,000 a year. There is a lot of mowing that does not even have to go on. We could go back to a natural park. It does look nice. I will give it that. But this is a place we could save money. The park is one of them.
Harry Lehman: Gary is right about how we need to save money. I don’t think people realize that this year we will be a little less than $50,000 and it was only last year Gary that we started to absorb the labor which is $20,000 so we spent somewhere around $40,000. If you go back to 2006 when the park was a natural park they spent over $60,000 or more for the park. I’d be glad to show it to you. I brought the payout. I had Patty print it for me two days ago. It might be something for everybody to think about. We are 4,300 residents and it is expensive and I’m tired of raising money and I appreciate Gary and Tim building the bridge for us but we might want to consider taking a look at – maybe the county park system may want to jump on that park so we don’t have the burden. That’s just a thought coming out loud.
Several voices.
Gary Virgil: The year the park was taken over -the EAC didn’t spend $60,000 in one year and they still had a $100,000 surplus left.
Harry Lehman: We spent the surplus. Gary the surplus was actually over $100,000, more like $120,000. In 2006 the EAC spent $60,000. In 2007 there was $160,000 spent on the park because of a pre-approved plan to do the hike and bike trail. That’s where the surplus went. That was all decided and I can’t give you the date for that because I wasn’t around. If you go back to 2006 the expenditures were more than this year and we absorb labor. In 2007 the park board inherited that budget. 2008 is the first true budget and record of the park board. So when you take labor out we are $40,000 vs. $170,000, $160,000. So we got to look and that and the other thing is we went out and raised money when we did community day’s event. That didn’t come out of the budget. The handicapped fishing pier that we are about to build. Not out of the budget. We raised that money too. The park benches and tables that you see. We raised that money. Gary and Tim are building that bridge with their own money. That’s not going to be park budget money. So when Jay Reynolds brought his Bobcat in and cleared two mile of trail it was his money. So keep that in mind when we talk about expenditures. A lot of those expenditures were donated by you guys out of the kindness of your heart.
Robert Race: You are right Harry. You did a good job too. And all the volunteers.
Harry Lehman: And Gary Virgil too.
Bruce Groff: And you are right too Gary. There should be less mowing. There is less as we speak. We had an invasive problem there and a lot of labor was put into trying to keep the invasive in control. Now it appears the invasive are in control without using a lot of weed killer or whatever at most spots. Now we are able to keep the invasive at bay and let the grass grow. There will be less maintenance. It was a learning experience for everybody. No doubt about that. I think that is what is going to happen.
Jay Reynolds: I was trying to work my way out the door and it was brought to my attention that there is two benefits that I filed to recognize when I was looking through the personnel policy. A guy asked me if they could take the sleeping and if that’s a benefit. He noticed that on occasions. Another person asked if they get game times for game playing on their computers. There are a couple other benefits that were not brought up. The reason they didn’t talk up for fearing of knowing who it is.
John Martin: I would personally like to thank our road crew for the good job they do in salting and plowing snow. I’ve done it all my life and it’s a thankless job. You can’t please everybody. I want to thank you guys for that. I would like to say I done that all my life and everything’s been covered on here. You are very fortunate. You know that. We are all paying $30 to $40 a week towards our insurance. The County and everybody else are getting 2.75%increase. You know that. The biggest thing that bothers me on this paper is and I ask you three people how you can okay this. 10 paid sick leaves, 12 paid holidays, 3 personal days, and all 10 hour days. How did this happen? I’m upset about that. Can somebody answer me? Why aren’t they 8 hour days Bob? I’m upset about that.
Robert Race: the road crew went to 4 ten’s in the summer time and the girls went to 4 tens. That happened before I came on.
John Martin: I understand that. It doesn’t make sense to me. A paid holiday, a paid personal day, a paid sick day. Bob any place that you work is 8 hours. I don’t understand this. It really bothers me. I think it should be changed. I get 8 hour paid holidays. I think everybody here does. Of everything on here that bothers me the most. That you could allow this to happen. I agree with the lady who said it I’m sorry the buck stops with these three people. Thank you.
Richard Haas: Bob these people could go home happy and you fellows would all be heroes if you assured us there would be no increases in the budget for next year.
Robert Race: No increases in the whole budget?
Richard Haas: Yes. That means you may have to cut some areas.
Robert Race: I’m not talking about insurance and that, I’m talking about equipment wise and buying tires. You’re telling me to cut that.
Richard Haas: Hold the budget where it is this year. Don’t increase the budget.
Robert Race: I’m more than willing to look at something like that.
Richard Haas: If you do that you’ll be the hero of the community.
Robert Race: I think I’ve learned a lot tonight.
Bill Steele: I’m a resident of this township. As far as increases, etc. go, as a government employee I got 2% this year. Over the last four years we went from paid insurance to co-pay insurance and every year as insurance premiums go up we are paying parts of that insurance package. I don’t disapprove of the township employees, I have nothing against the township employees, but I think it’s only realistic that they start to contribute to the packages the way everyone else does in the down turning economy. I think its only fair if not a part of the package this year that it be next year as some of the modifications come into effect. No paid lunch. I’ve never heard of anybody having a paid lunch.
Robert Race: Let me say this. The insurance can be looked at. We have more time to look at insurance as we do anything right now. The insurance doesn’t come up until March.
Bill Steele: Are you willing to say to your employees tonight that in a couple of months you may have to contribute to your insurance?
Robert Race: I’m not afraid to say that. I don’t know what will happen. I’m only one person. I’m more than willing to say that.
Bill Steele: I think in the letter that was mailed out the employees ask for 8.4% plus another holiday. I’ve never heard of anybody going to their employer and saying I want this. I deserve this. This is what I have to get or I’m not going to work for you.
Robert Race: They didn’t say this is what I want or I’m not going to work for you. They requested. They didn’t say I need this. They didn’t say I’m going to get this. I don’t know if you’ve ever done contracts. I’ve done contracts as the other side of sitting here. Believe me you’re saying that sounds ridiculous and I’ve heard people ask for 25%-30%.
Bill Steele: I think the way the economy is we have to keep things in line. I’m not against the police department at all. I think they do a good job. I also think I’ll throw a sinker here for the fire company. The police department calls the fire company out an awful lot for the fire police to block off traffic, to detour traffic, whenever there’s an accident or something. I really get pissed off when I see a cop going over and sitting in a cruiser and drinking a coffee.
Robert Race: I done that but I served coffee to you guys too.
Bill Steele: If they are going to call out volunteer help and that volunteer company only gets maybe 1% of what the police budget is I think they should get less than 1% of the job out there on the roads all the time.
Robert Race: I don’t know if you worked when I worked I had a lot of respect for you guys, especially the fire police because they kept me dry and warm. That’s why they got their coffee hot when I had to go to the hospital to interview people. They stayed there.
Person: When does the whole budget end?
Robert Race: Just a moment. She has something she has to read here.
Virginia Brady: This has to be read into the record because there was one e-mail received today at 12:30 or 12:25 it looks like at night. This e-mail is attached to the minutes for the record.
Robert Race: Believe me when I tell you I’m glad to see this place packed. I want you to do this every meeting so we know exactly how you feel. Not that something happens and everybody gets information that comes in. I’m the one that’s been saying fill the place every meeting. I have no problem with that. The only way I know how you feel is when you are here. We don’t call each other on the phone. I’m not against you being here. I’m not against you complaining. I appreciate it, okay.
Virginia Brady: Tonight would be the time we approve the budget. I cannot approve this budget as printed. The Wall Street Journal, I’ve been keeping tabs on this, for November the Consumer Price Index is 2.2. It hasn’t budged since about three weeks ago. 2.2 for employee raises are the most I can consider. I want to comment on the clothing because that was originally for shoes for the township roadcrew.
Robert Race: And foul weather gear.
Virginia Brady: I don’t think it was. It was just for shoes and somehow it has morphed into clothing. That’s not right. They have to bring in a receipt. I would like to see that Monday employee deleted, that part time employee.
Robert Race: He has laid himself off anyhow.
Virginia Brady: Well, thank heavens. He did us a favor.
Person: He’ll still get his benefits for the year.
Virginia Brady: He is part time. He can’t do that. Virginia Brady moved that we go back to eight hour days, that was never to be ten hour days all year round, it was a summer time thing, and out of the park budget there are two line items I’m going to move to be pulled. One is beach volley ball; I’m not even going to express my opinion on that as it is not popular. My opinion is not popular. And I would delete Frisbee golf. I’ve not seen that plan and I suspect it is the same plan that comes in about fifteen years ago and they wanted to put Frisbee golf all over that park. I will not vote for those items. So I would move that 2.2 be maximum for employees, delete the clothing, delete the Monday employee, beach volley ball, Frisbee golf, and back to eight hour days.
Robert Race: And I got no holiday and no eye insurance. They requested a holiday and eye insurance. I say no holiday and no eye insurance. If they want to buy their own eye insurance and we can do it through here I don’t care. They pay for it.
Virginia Brady: I put a motion on the floor.
Robert Race: And I added to it.
Bruce Groff: When she is talking about the $300 speaking for the road crew and myself I don’t think there is too many people who would want to wear out the clothes we do as far as getting tar on them on a regular basis.
Person: I disagree.
Bruce Groff: You can disagree all you want. Unless you run some of the pieces of equipment we have you would understand it. If you work around a salter in the winter like we do walking through the salt piles and load salt up it rots your boots right out. Our clothes when out patching roads are completely black in about two days. So your shoes get tar on and if the salt don’t take care of it the tar does. I think it is very sensible to keep $300 in there. I think it’s very debatable about the road crew working ten hours. I like to move equipment into the job site and keep it there longer. That’s the way I looked at it.
Person: The secretaries get tar on theirs too.
Gary Virgil: I’m an iron worker and a welder and I have to buy my own clothes. And my boots.
Persons: Comments against the clothing allowance.
Bruce Groff: I’m for keeping the road crew on ten hours four days a week.
Mathew Blevens: I live on Lynndale Road. My address is Lynndale Road. If I did something with my tractor like you guys did cleaning that gutter out and left that mud on the road and I pulled my tractor out with the manure spreader on it or anything like that you have to admit that Lynndale Road was a mess when you left it. You keep talking about keeping your equipment out longer; nobody brushed it. You pulled it all out so that it was mud the whole way across the road across the yellow line. There is a really nice business back there called Nauman Construction and they have nice trucks and keep everything nice.
Bruce Groff: Don’t tell me about ——. We have a collection broom but it won’t pick up that volume of material.
Mathew Blevens: It was horrible. If I had a broom I would have gone down and boomed it.
Bruce Groff: The piece of equipment we co-share from Providence Township that picks up the dirt. It picks most of it up. On certain days you get into a soggy wet roadside it makes it very difficult to pick that up.
Mathew Blevens: It wouldn’t have been bad if you would have brushed it off right away. Then it was packed on and every time I drive over it. I don’t know if you like getting your truck all messed up all the time. Most people drive on that road and that’s the way they come home. Run up through that mud every time up past Nauman’s. It’s horrible. There was a man that used to be on the township that worked on the road crew. His name was Sangrey. I can’t imagine him ever leaving the road look like that. That’s it.
Joe Stehman: Where do we stand on the paid lunch hour? I haven’t heard a confirmation on where you people stand on that.
Robert Race: What happened on that was a fifteen minute break morning and afternoon and a ½ hour lunch. What they did was take those two fifteen minute break and put it with their ½ hour. I have no problem with it. There again we’re going to run into a problem with the road crew. What if they are out doing something where they just can’t stop and eat lunch?
Virginia Brady: then they get paid.
Robert Race: Just so I understand that. That was my biggest thing when it started. This isn’t the first time I heard about it. I’ve been looking at that in my own mind.
Harry Lehman: Bob, is it in the policy, the manual, the ½ hour.
Robert Race: Yes it is.
Harry Lehman: So that can be rewritten?
Robert Race: There’s a lot of things. In fact I spoke to Patty not too long ago that after the first of the year we have to sit down and go over that policy.
Resident: How long has it been that the lunch hour has been paid?
Robert Race: Oh, before I retired. I retired in 2000. That was the ½ hour and the two fifteen minute breaks.
Resident: May I see a show of hands for how many people get paid for their lunch hour?
Robert Race: We did that. I think there was only one back there.
Bob Porterfield: Back to the paper that said about all those holidays, personal days. It was said not too long before here about the ten hour days, in the summer time you wanted ten hour days instead of five eight hour days. If it was written in the manual you got paid for so many holidays my question is if a man gets paid for a holiday does he get paid ten hours or eight hours? It was the road crew’s option to go to four tens.
Bruce Groff: We get paid ten.
Bob Porterfield: If it says in the manual you get eight then why do you get paid ten? That costs us a lot of extra hours.
Robert Race: I think the manual was changed for that. You can work eight or ten. It says in there that you might have to work more than your regular hour shift if it snows.
Harry Lehman: That’s not his question. When they take a sick day or a holiday how much do they get paid? Are they paid for eight hours or ten hours?
Robert Race: They are paid for ten. If you work forty hours and a holiday is – okay I get what you are saying now.
Bob Porterfield: Originally it was five eight hour days which was forty hours and then they went to four tens and got off on Friday. Why are we paying for a ten hour holiday when they are getting a paid day we should just be giving it to them as an eight hour day.
Pat Davis: Up until three years ago I had gotten paid for an eight hour holiday and I had to use either vacation or personal time to get a forty hour pay. I think you just changed that in the last two or three years. That’s what I had to do.
Robert Race: Like I said I already decided a long time ago that after everything was over with the budget I was going to work on that.
Resident: Bob, I have a question for you on the fifteen minute breaks. Did you check with the Department of Labor before you put this together? The State says after two hours you must take a fifteen minute break and then after lunch you must take a fifteen minute break. If you don’t believe it talk to Wal-Mart. They had to pay out several millions of dollars for that.
Robert Race: That’s easy to change right now.
Resident: Also, driving on the roadway for so many hours – you can be fined for that. (Not sure of this wording could not hear)
Robert Race: Yes, I know a little bit about that. (Loud voices)
Virginia Brady: I think we need to vote on this. I have a motion on the floor and you added to it. (Still loud voices)
Robert Race: Virginia had a motion on the floor. 2.2% raise, cut the volley ball and Frisbee golf out of the park budget. Was that in there Harry? Oh, a $1000.
Harry Lehman: they were line items. One of them was for Frisbee golf, a $1000 and one was for $2000 for beach volley ball. Frisbee golf was for seed money and they were going to pay the other $14,000. Look, it’s tough times. I’m not here to argue with anyone. You got to do what you got to do up there and I respect you for it. Fair enough Virginia?
Virginia Brady: That’s fair.
Robert Race: Cut the beach volley ball, Frisbee golf, no eye insurance, no holiday,
Virginia Brady: Cut the clothing.
Robert Race: All of it?
Virginia Brady: Gary, what do boots sell for?
Robert Race: What do work boots sell for? Depends where you buy them? (Loud voices) Cut the $300 to $150. (Loud voices) Since that law is the way it is it will be back to fifteen minute breaks in the morning and ½ hour lunch and fifteen minutes in the afternoon and no paid lunch. (Loud voices) He’s talking about the $2000 co-pays. (Loud voices) This keeps growing. What do you say?
Bruce Groff: Some shortfalls with the insurance. (loud voices still talking from the floor, can’t hear)
Robert Race: That item on the $2000 someone tell me how they feel. I enjoyed not the $2000 but the $1000 for eye and dental. They get dental but they don’t get eye.
Harry Lehman: They don’t have to pay for the premium or anything Bob.
Person: They get family coverage for nothing.
Robert Race: The motion is if I can get it straight. There will be a fifteen minute break in the morning, a ½ hour lunch, no pay, and fifteen minutes in the afternoon. I have that correct? Right. $150 for shoes instead of $300. 2.2% raise. No holiday. No eye insurance. Cut beach volley ball. Harry you’re getting to old for that anyway. Frizbee golf, cut that. You want to do away with the $2000 altogether. (loud voices)
Harry Lehman: We’re going to love you for it. You’re on a roll Virginia. (loud voices)
Robert Race: Are we going to an eight hour day for all? Or allowing them to work ten hours in the summer time? (loud voices) We went to ten hour days in the summertime because they had more time to work outside. (discussion from the floor – several voices)
Person: The guy’s only still in the summertime work eight hours but they are still home at 5:00 I believe unless they use their hour at lunch time that they are getting paid for but they work four tens – you know what I’m saying?
Harry Lehman: In the summer it’s 7 to 5.
Tina Virgil: You could add another hour and take that ½ hour pay away. (loud voices discussion on the floor)
Bruce Groff: 10 hours a day, it’s more efficient. (still voices from the floor)
Virginia Brady: What about when you are called in Fridays? (still voices from the floor)
Bruce Groff: You didn’t pay us overtime yesterday. We were out in the snow.
Person: Is overtime paid after eight or after ten hours? (voices continue from the floor)
Robert Race: Bruce said he would like to keep the road crew on ten hours a day because it is more efficient.
Person: I don’t have any problem with ten hour work days. My husband works ten and twelve hours a day all the time but he only gets paid overtime after forty hours. Not before and after a shift. Holidays are eight hour pay.
Robert Race: I talked as if I was working. That was the police contract.
Person: If you want to work ten hours a day, that’s fine but only get paid eight hours for a holiday or for a sick day. That’s what my husband gets. It sounded like you wanted to go back to nobody can work more than eight hours a day. That’s what I thought.
Harry Lehman: Are you going to separate the road crew from the office staff. If we had the girls here five eight’s we could get some really good —- here. They should be treated as two different entities. Two different schedules. With both girls working five eight hour days when one of them is sick or on vacation there is no adjustments, no trades, there is no overtime. It’s done and we deserve it.
Robert Race: then you’re saying you have no problem with the road crew on ten hour days.
Harry Lehman: That has to be played with. Discuss it with the Roadmaster. This isn’t the place to play with it. It’s not a simple issue. Some road crews go ten in the summer and eights in the winter. As far as the office is concerned it is a separate entity. We deserve coverage every day. Patty is up to five weeks vacation now, Gloria’s up to close to two. With the other twenty seven days they get before you know its May until somebody is working. So it would be prudent to schedule both girls five days a week. If one is sick and one wants to take a vacation, one wants to take a holiday, we don’t have to worry about switching schedules or the other one coming in on overtime. We just had that a month ago when Gloria was off we had to pay $33 an hour overtime plus 20% of that for retirement. That cost us close to $40 an hour. If we have both girls here every day and one gets sick, one takes vacation, it really doesn’t matter.
Person: Who has five weeks vacation?
Harry Lehman: Well Patty does. She has thirty some years.
Person: She has never bought a new pair of boots yet.
Robert Race: I can understand if you’re saying working ten if they are working Friday they still get a holiday. Then they are not working and getting a forty hour pay. (loud voices from the floor)
Person: Are you going to bring changes if any back to the public? (still voices from the floor) Will you vote on that? I think we have a right to know. I am a former insurance agent and I know since 1998 that there might have been 2% of employers who paid 100%.
Robert Race: How would you like to be on a committee?
Person: I’d love to be on a committee.
Robert Race: I’m serious. That’s how we get help. You got experience, talk to us.
Ken Adams: May I have a personal courtesy. It may be beneficial at this point in time because the mind will only absorb what the — will endure. It may be time to approve a budget with the stipulation that no employee benefits are set. Have a committee. Put them all together and adopt them at one point in time. The budget you proposed had no tax increase. That is to be commended. There was a man asked that the budget not be increased. I respect and I heard him say that. But I think at this point in time it may be prudent to approve a budget with no increase and have a committee. Not just for health insurance but have a committee to look at the entire employee package and adopt it at that time where we are not trying to piecemeal everything. Mrs. Brady talks about the beach volley ball and Frisbee golf in that motion to throw them out of the budget. Pass it with that being removed. As far as the employee benefits are concerned, the wages, the benefits. Don’t act on that tonight.
Harry Lehman: I want what I can get now. I want it now. I know what will happen if we walk out of here without it. We’re going to fight again next year for it folks. Let’s get it done if we have to stay here to midnight.
Ken Adams: Ladies and gentlemen. I promised you a couple of hours ago that I was going to help look after your concerns on the 537 Plan on lot sewage and do the same here. I worked a few hours this week and I’ll work twice as many next week if need be. I think there are a lot of good concerns and a lot of consensus here. I’m so happy to see that. A diverse group. Put everything down in writing. It’s especially confusing because of hours of days of work, eight hours a day, five days a week or ten hours a day, four days a week. You may want to arrange something that the road crew can work four ten hour days from April 1 to September 30 and work eight hours a day after that because of the safety factor I mentioned earlier. That’s a thought.
Virginia Brady: That’s a good thought. Eight hours vs. ten hours. That was the original intent. It was daylight saving time. I don’t remember the details. I do want to say this is a government agency vs. anything you can do in business. We are under the constraint to get a budget approved by the last day of the year. These ideas should have come to this Board months ago. It’s gone on for years. That’s the way it works. You have good ideas but if we don’t hear about them in time things get all tangled up like this. I’m asking if you have good ideas to bring them in on a timely fashion. We don’t work on this in the last couple of weeks. My motion is on the floor. I don’t know what we are going to do with it.
Robert Race: I’m trying to figure out what I said right now. It was 2.2%, no holiday, no eye, cut beach ball, cut Frisbee, eight hour holiday, cut $300 to $150 for the clothes, no $2000.
Resident: What about sick days?
Robert Race: That can be changed in the handbook. We can work on that. I don’t want to sit here and say what we’ll do with that when I don’t know and I’m only one. I have expectations of sitting down with that after the first of the year because it has not been updated for a while.
Harry Lehman: What about the $2000 Bob.
Robert Race: Just a minute now. I just had that. A 15 minute break in the morning, a ½ hour lunch not paid, a fifteen minute break in the afternoon, no holiday, no eye, now I need the $2000. You’re saying cut the $2000? You’re saying what?
Bruce Groff: Yes and we will see what we can do with our insurance. (voices again from the floor)
Person: I got to say to the supervisors you are right. The budget is worked on one day at a time. Now you understand the handbook was written in 1995 and you’re saying it was never looked at and it kind of just went on and on and on. It snowballed. Some of this does fall on you for not being prudent and letting it get to where it is. We have just been basically lulled asleep. But its time to change the way things is being done. That’s what the majority of people are here for.
Robert Race: I’m glad you are here. I second that motion. All voted in favor, none opposed.
Having no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Patsy L. Davis Secretary
