Justin Gathercole

The board discussed fire and EMS department reports and requests for capital funding, including a payment for a new ambulance. Treasurer's report and payment authorizations were reviewed, along with the establishment of a commercial account. Managerial items included the 2026 road paving project, a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters, a trash fee waiver request, a transition to a cloud-based server, and an increase in cyber liability insurance coverage. The board also addressed grant applications for park improvements, agreements for utility relocation and engineering services, appointments to the municipal building committee, tax lien exonerations, subdivision plans, and liability waivers. Further items included the procurement of police AED devices, extended warranties for police vehicles, and maintenance for public works facilities, specifically the replacement of a garage door.

The Planning Commission discussed setting priorities for the agenda items. Key discussions included a request for a three-year extension of a special exception granted in 2017 for 510 Doe Run Road, which the Chairman agreed to support via letter. Additionally, a new application for Variance and Special Exception for 520 Doe Run Road was reviewed, concerning the modification of an existing building, requiring follow-up as a quorum was not present for official action. The Commission also reviewed the Draft Stormwater Management Ordinance, focusing on resident responsibility for inspections and the threshold for the simplified version, noting that video and audio recording ceased during this discussion.

The meeting agenda includes reviewing various departmental reports from fire, police, public works, and planning authorities. Key financial and operational actions comprise approving capital funding for a new ambulance, establishing a commercial account, authorizing road paving bids, and entering into a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters. Additional items include evaluating a server migration to the cloud, increasing cyber liability insurance, submitting a grant application for park improvements, and addressing utility relocation for road repairs. Legal matters involve tax lien exonerations, subdivision plan approvals, and liability waivers. Procurement approvals include new AED devices, an extended vehicle warranty, and garage door installation.

The board discussed and took action on several items including the appointment of an Emergency Management Coordinator, approval of treasurer reports, and payment authorizations. Key legislative actions included the drafting of a model holding tank and sewage management ordinance, the sale of surplus property, and a new lease agreement for office equipment. The board also approved participation in a joint fuel bid, authorized the hiring of a student intern, and submitted a grant application for community park upgrades. Further actions involved the establishment of a volunteer service credit program, approval of a subdivision plan, the adoption of an ordinance regarding single-use plastics, the finalization of a police collective bargaining agreement, and a grant agreement for bridge reconstruction. Additionally, the board accepted the resignation of a planning commission member and approved the purchase of a new township vehicle and a park bench.

The Planning Commission meeting addressed several agenda items, beginning with a motion to confirm the order of discussion priorities. Key discussions involved two notices of relief. For 152 Doe Run Road, Bigfoot Automotive sought approval for special exception use to allow automotive sales in addition to their existing repair services, which the commission approved 7-0. For 105 Mortonville Road, a resident sought approval for a variance to construct a new 26'x28' pole barn-garage, ensuring minimal negative impact regarding runoff and tree removal, which was also approved 7-0. Old business included a discussion on initiating a new comprehensive plan and reviewing/enforcing obsolete ordinances. New business concerned informing members about available township-funded courses on community planning and subdivision/lot development.