July 11, 2011 - Shamokin Dam Borough

SHAMOKIN DAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 11, 2011
The regular monthly meeting of the Shamokin Dam Borough Council was held on Monday,
July 11, 2011 in the municipal building located at 42 W. 8 th Avenue, Shamokin Dam beginning
at 7:00 P.M. Council President Donald Musser presided.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mark Benner, Andrew Bickhart, David Smeltz, David Herbert, Rue Rothermel, Malcolm
Fleming, and Don Musser were present.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mayor Joseph McGranaghan, Manager Ed Hovenstine, Police Chief Robert Lockcuff, Solicitor
Robert Slivinski, Secretary LaDawn Leitzel, Fire Company President Jesse Herman, Fire
Company Vice President Douglas Beaver, Frank Witt, Joan Witt, Virginia Mendler, Jill Jackson,
June Stark, Shirley Kauffman, Anita Molitoris and Fire Chief Bradley Aurand were present.
The meeting was opened with the “Pledge of Allegiance”.
PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
A motion was made by Councilman Herbert to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2011 meeting
of Council as presented, seconded by Vice President Fleming, approved by all except opposed by
Councilman Smeltz.
VISITORS:
Jesse Herman reviewed the June fire company social hall financial report with Council. The PPL
bill and UGI-gas bill are paid current. Mr. Herman explained that the total vendor and loan debt
in the amount of $50,623.23 on the financial report does not include Jeff Snyder’s payroll
checks, current payroll taxes, or Sandra Gill’s Capital One. Solicitor Slivinski reminded the fire
company that payroll checks are a note and that Ms. Gill would need to show proof of loan
which would mean that the fire company could still be responsible for this debt. President
Musser suggested that the fire company calculate amount of payroll checks held by Jeffery
Snyder. Jesse Herman mentioned that Jeff Snyder resigned as bar manager/cook and that
Saturday, July 16, 2011 will be his last day of employment at the fire company. Shamokin Dam
Fire Company is checking about the possibility of leasing the kitchen. Jesse Herman and
Douglas Beaver met with the Mayor, the Manager, and three members of council to discuss the
financial situation of the fire company. After speaking with Mayor McGranaghan, PPL waived
the $2800.00 security deposit, which was an item discussed at the meeting.
The Solicitor sent a letter, instructed by Council, and dated June 13, 2011 to the fire company
regarding termination of lease of May 29, 1980 for the following reasons: Non-payment of
utilities, and use for other than a garage for storage for fire protection equipment and uses
normally incidental to providing fire protection services. The termination would be as of 12:01
AM, August 1, 2011. A motion was made by Councilman Herbert to rescind the termination of

Shamokin Dam Borough Council Page 2
July 11, 2011
the lease if the fire company pays a minimum of $5000.00 towards the vendor and loan amount
of $50,623.23 by January 1, 2012, seconded by Councilman Rothermel, and approved by all.
Councilman Rothermel recommended that Council discuss consolidation of local fire companies.
Councilman Benner mentioned meeting with the neighboring municipalities.
June Stark, Shirley Kauffman, and Anita Molitoris arrived at this time.
Fire Chief Brad Aurand presented the fire department call report for June.
Jesse Herman and Douglas Beaver left at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Manager Hovenstine received the temporary construction easement agreement from Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in which DCNR will undertake the installation,
construction and maintenance of an inflatable bag necessary to the continued use of the dam
spanning the Susquehanna River between Shamokin Dam Borough and City of Sunbury. DCNR
will bear the total cost of all construction and maintenance work on the project.
MAYORS REPORT:
The Mayor informed Council that Police Chief Lockcuff will be retiring on November 18, 2011.
The Personnel Committee recommended accepting the Mayor’s announcement and posting the
Chief of Police position internally. The Personnel Committee requested that Police Chief
Lockcuff help to create a Police Chief’s job description. The committee discussed a candidates’
residency which would be; within the Borough of Shamokin Dam is not required initially,
however, the successful candidate must live within a 15 mile radius of the borough and residency
within the Borough of Shamokin Dam is required after two years of service.
Mayor McGranaghan reviewed the announcement of the Police Chief position with Council, for
in house posting, listing qualifications and residency requirements. If either patrolman is
interested, they should submit a cover letter and resume which would include experience,
qualifications, and references to the Borough Secretary on or before July 27, 2011.
A motion was made by Councilman Rothermel to authorize announcement of the Police Chief
position as drafted, seconded by Councilman Herbert, and approved by all.
Mayor McGranaghan will be attending the State Mayors Association Conference in July.
Police Chief Lockcuff presented the police report for June.
Jill Jackson left at this time.

Shamokin Dam Borough Council Page 3
July 11, 2011
MANAGERS REPORT:
Appointments: The following terms have expired as of December 31, 2010.
Zoning Hearing Board, 2 Year – June Stark
Civil Service Commission, 6-Year – Eugene Kardohley
Manager Hovenstine contacted each of these people who indicated they would be willing to
serve an additional term on the respective committees.
A motion was made by Councilman Bickhart to reappoint each of the above-mentioned persons
to the respective committees for an additional term, seconded by Councilman Benner and
approved by all.
Insurance/General Liability – The general liability insurance coverage begins August 1, 2011
and ends July 31, 2012. Manager Hovenstine received proposals from Keystone Insurers Group
in the amount of $32,067, Purdy Insurance in the amount of $32,593, and Shaffer Insurance
Agency in the amount of $33,557. A motion was made by Councilman Herbert to accept the
proposal by Keystone Insurers Group in the amount of $32,067 for coverage from August 1,
2011 through July 31, 2012 and not to exceed an additional $400 per year for coverage of
$600,000 loss of income, seconded by Vice President Fleming, and approved by all.
PA One Call Seminar – Manager Hovenstine attended training for certification of design online
submission.
Route 11/15 Update – Eastern Industries will be opening manholes for the new manhole lids and
will be using concrete risers. After opening manholes and line painting the construction would be
completed within the Borough.
2011Streets – Manager Hovenstine advised that the survey work has been completed for the
2011 Streets Project. He is working with this information to prepare the bidding process. The
bids would be reviewed on August 1, 2011 at Council meeting.
Energy Savings Update – The Borough saved approximately $1400 across the board with
electric bills, compared to last year during the same period.
SOLICITOR:
Within the Borough, neighbors are disputing a fence around a swimming pool. The pool was
installed prior to the zoning ordinance, but possibly with Central Keystone COG a violation
would be in the building code due to no continuous fencing around a swimming pool.
ESCRA and the Selinsgrove Borough are involved in legal action. ESCRA would like to issue
industrial sewer permits instead of the Selinsgrove Borough. Selinsgrove Borough disputes
sample testing. The Borough has decided to not side with either party at this time.
Murphy Property on Sunbury Road – The Solicitor will check on possible options for clean up of
the property.

Shamokin Dam Borough Council Page 4
July 11, 2011
OTHER BUSINESS:
Councilman Benner discussed the possibility for joint service for fire protection. Council
authorized Manager Hovenstine to send letter to the Monroe Township supervisors concerning
the possibility of arranging a meeting between the Supervisors of Monroe Township and the
Shamokin Dam Borough Council to discuss some options to enhance the fire protection between
the two communities.
Councilman Bickhart requested that the tree branches on Center Street be trimmed, a dumpster
located at a residence on the right of way on north old trail across from the McDonalds back
entrance, and an unlicensed and uninspected vehicle in Haubert Homes. Manager Hovenstine
will check out each situation. Police Chief Lockcuff mentioned that the police department has
already acted on the unlicensed and uninspected vehicle in the Haubert Homes development.
PLANNING COMMISSION:
A Planning Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 7:00 PM to
discuss the Russell Broscious land development plan.
COMMITTEE MEETING:
Councilman Rothermel requested that the Personnel Committee minutes reflect changes made to
the Chief of Police position announcement. Councilman Rothermel recommended that a survey
of information on salary of Police chief and patrolman be collected prior to future meetings.
PAYMENT OF BILLS:
General Fund bills in the amount of $45,635.11, and Water and Sewer Fund bills in the amount
of $13,916.56, LST Refund $35.00, and PLGIT Police Capital $1629.90. A motion was made by
Councilman Bickhart to pay the bills as presented, seconded by Councilman Benner, and
approved by all.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
LaDawn D. Leitzel
Borough Secretary