Ralpho Township

The meeting included the administration of oaths of office for a Supervisor and Tax Collector, followed by the reorganization process where Supervisor Stephen Major was elected Chairman and Supervisor Madara was elected Vice Chairman. Key administrative appointments were made, including the Township Manager, Solicitor, Engineer, Tax Collectors (for various taxes), Code Enforcement Officer, Roadmaster, and representatives to various boards (Township Vacancy Board, Municipal Authority, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board). The Supervisors reviewed and adopted fee schedule revisions via Resolution 2026-01 and appointed the CPA for the 2025 audit. Discussions covered the repair of shingles lost from the salt shed roof, and updates on permit fees collected for December. In Old Business, the Board rescinded a prior motion regarding internet speed and approved an upgrade to 200 Mbps service. New business included approving regular bills due to the early meeting schedule and authorizing the Chairman to sign the 2026 Annual Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement. A public hearing resulted in the adoption of Ordinance 199 amending the Police Pension to allow participation by all qualified officers in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session held for Personnel matters.

The meeting included congratulations to the Southern Columbia football team on their State Championship. Key discussions and actions involved approving the Treasurer's Report and payments of bills. Decisions were made regarding the H&E Construction Inc. ADA Accessible Entrance Project payments using CDBG funds. In department reports, the board accepted the high bid for a TARCO Leaf Collector, authorized the purchase of a John Deere Tractor/Mower using LSA Grant monies, and approved repairs for a fleet vehicle. A conditional use hearing for Coal Regions Winery was held prior to the main meeting. The board addressed a downed wire reported by PPL and authorized moving a security camera due to construction. Following reports, the board re-enacted current Act 511 taxes via Resolution 2025-09. Resolutions were adopted to establish 2026 Real Estate taxes and to adopt the 2026 Budget, projecting surpluses in the General Fund and State Aid Fund. New business included accepting the resignation of Supervisor Blaine Madara Jr., approving the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2026-2028, approving changes to internet service, and adopting resolutions requiring pension contributions for uniformed and non-uniformed employees in 2026. The board also approved pay rate increases effective January 1, 2026, for several administrative and uniformed personnel. Dates for 2026 meetings were established, and procedures were set for accepting letters of interest to fill the vacant Supervisor position.

During the new business section, the supervisors added the purchase of a computer for the maintenance shed office to the agenda and subsequently approved the secretary to order a laptop not exceeding $1,000. The board also conducted interviews for an open Supervisor Position and motioned to appoint Justin Leffler to fill the vacancy.

The meeting addressed several key areas including approving payment applications for the Ralpho Township Gym ADA Accessible Entrance Project, and discussing a PennDOT project on SR 54. The sale of an old leaf collector was approved, and a new part-time street employee was hired. Repairs to the gym's heating system and the baseball field's press box were discussed and approved, along with the removal of trees from the playground. The need for a streetlight at the Mt. Road/State Rt 61 Intersection was evaluated. The proposed 2026 budget was authorized for advertising and posting, and holiday gift cards for employees were approved. Funds were reallocated from sewer laterals and housing rehab projects to the Township Gym Phase 2.

The Ralpho Township Supervisors held a budget work session to discuss the General Fund budget based on current taxes, including real estate, street lighting, per capita, occupation, real estate transfer, earned income, LST, TV franchise, and mechanical amusement taxes. Revisions were made to proposed budgets, with consideration for advertising and posting during the November 11, 2025 meeting and final adoption during the December 9, 2025 regular meeting. The General Fund anticipated receipts plus carry over from 2025 totaled $2,251,482 with budgeted expenditures of $2,225,352, leaving a projected surplus of $26,130. The State Aid Fund anticipated receipts plus carry over from 2025 totaled $513,811 with budgeted expenditures of $433,651, leaving a projected surplus of $80,160.