Meeting Minutes
Mercer County
Regional Planning Commission
TUESDAY, September 24, 2002
7:30 PM - MCRPC OFFICES, HERMITAGE
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MUNICIPALITY
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PRESENT
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ABSENT
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FARRELL CITY
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Jerry Miller
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Mark A. Petrillo
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HERMITAGE CITY
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James A. Rollinson
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James Pat White
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Rita
Ferringer |
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James Pat White
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SHARON CITY
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Stephen Theiss
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Frank Smeraglia
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George
Gulla
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Lou Rotunno |
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CLARK BOROUGH
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Robert Tomko
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James Carucci, Jr.
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FREDONIA BOROUGH
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Larry McAdams
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Patricia McAdams
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GREENVILLE BOROUGH
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Burroughs Price
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Pamela S. Auchter |
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GROVE CITY BOROUGH
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Clifford McCandless
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Thomas D. Shaffer,
Jr.
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JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH
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Todd Sturgeon
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JAMESTOWN BOROUGH
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Darryl Pinney
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Doug
McElhaney |
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MERCER BOROUGH
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Jerry Johnson
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Jim
Carnes |
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NEW LEBANON BOROUGH
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Janice Good
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Mary A. Ziegler
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SANDY LAKE BOROUGH
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Carol Paul
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Robert W. Kaltenbaugh
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SHARPSVILLE BOROUGH
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Alex Kovach
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Bob Piccirilli
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STONEBORO BOROUGH
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Samuel A. Scott
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WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH
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Linda Bollinger
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Raymond Lucich, Jr.
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WHEATLAND BOROUGH
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Thomas R. Stanton
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Ray Foster |
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FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP
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Jane Clark
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Mont Clark
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FINDLEY TOWNSHIP
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John B. Courtney
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Elliott Lengel
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HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Pamela Brown
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Russell L. Dawes
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP
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Linda L. Baun
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Mary Gealy
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
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Bert Weston
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Richard H. McCullough
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
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Ron Faull
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Dave Beatty |
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NEW VERNON TOWNSHIP
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Frank Cochran
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Albert
W. Law |
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OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Richard Straub
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Paulette Young
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PERRY TOWNSHIP
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Richard Marshall
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PINE TOWNSHIP
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H. Thomas Paxton
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Fred
Brenner |
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PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP
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Walter L. Weir, Jr.
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James M. Kaller |
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SHENANGO TOWNSHIP
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Charles Gilliland
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Kristen Robinson
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S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP
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Mike Nashtock
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Mourice Waltz
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Larry T. Gruntz
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Judy
L. Hassler
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WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP
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Charles Garrett
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Jeff Hoy
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WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Mark Smith
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Michael J. Montanile
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MERCER COUNTY
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James L. Hogan
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Patty Meehan
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Michelle Brooks
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Julie Widel
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Regina Ehrhart
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Jeff Fiedler
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Patty McClusky |
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Jean Hodge |
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BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION
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David George
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SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
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COUNTY COMMISSIONER
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Olivia M. Lazor
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STAFF
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OTHERS PRESENT
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Dennis
G. Puko, Executive Director
Dan Gracenin, Assistant Director
Jeremy Coxe, Planner
Fred Frank, Planner
Chris Conti, Senior Planner
Carmen Reichard, Program Admin. |
Attorney
Robert G. Kochems, Solicitor
Kenneth Weaver, Greenville Borough
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CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Larry McAdams, Chairman,
called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Cliff McCandless,
Vice-Chairman, led the Commission in the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE SIGN-IN
An attendance sign-in sheet
was passed around and representatives present were asked to mark their
attendance. A quorum was present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA
ITEM
There were no public comments.
RATIFICATION OF ACTIONS TAKEN
WITHOUT A QUORUM AT MAY 28, 2002 MEETING
Mr. McAdams, Chairman asked
for a motion to approve actions taken without a quorum at the May 28, 2002
meeting and accept the Minutes as presented. Mr. Theiss requested further
discussion about the action taken on the Growing Greener project. Mr. Puko
explained that about a year ago MCRPC was invited from the Pennsylvania
Environmental Council (PEC) to submit a funding proposal that would include
development of conservation subdivision regulations to be part of the County
Subdivision Ordinance. PEC is trying to get a foothold in western PA with this
type of regulation, which is not very commonly used. MCRPC would consider
conservation subdivision as an option in the ordinance and develop marketing
and education information to encourage developers to choose the conservation
option, but not make it the only development option in the County Subdivision
Ordinance. He stated that Randall Arendt via the Natural Lands Trust was not
pleased with the proposal; he feels that it should be mandatory and the only
option in our County Subdivision Ordinance. Mr. Puko stated that the
Commission’s decision at the May 28, 2002 meeting was to reject the funding
and not proceed with the project if PEC requires conservation development to
be the only option in our County Subdivision Ordinance. Otherwise, the
Commission desired the project to proceed as originally proposed. Finding the
explanation acceptable, a motion was made by Dr. Brenner and seconded by Mr.
Price to ratify the actions taken without a quorum at the May 28, 2002 meeting
and also to confirm the action on the Growing Greener project and to accept
the Minutes as presented. The motion passed.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Mr. Stanton, Treasurer
presented the August 2002 Financial Statement. A motion was made by Mr. Beatty
and seconded by Mr. Theiss to approve the August 2002 Financial Statement as
presented. The motion passed.
RATIFICATION OF COMMITTEE
ACTIONS DURING SUMMER
Mr. McAdams, Chairman noted
that various committees met during the months of June, July & August (a
summary sheet of committee actions is attached to and made a part of the
permanent record of Minutes), and we need to ratify the actions taken by the
Committees on behalf of the full Commission. A motion was made by Mr. Hogan
and seconded by Mr. Theiss to ratify the Committees’ actions during the
summer. The motion passed.
PROGRESS REPORT
Mr. McAdams, Chairman
distributed the progress report which shows the progress on MCRPC projects. He
asked the staff to highlight their progress. Mr. Coxe stated that a 904
performance grant was recently submitted for Mercer County and on behalf of 25
municipalities which included recycling tonnages for the County. Someone
thanked Jeremy, Don and the County Commissioners for all of their hard work in
installing a depot in Jamestown Borough. Mr. Coxe noted that 5 depot sites
were installed in early September of this year. Locations are: Wilmington
Township, Findley Township, Jamestown Borough, West Middlesex Borough and the
Shenango Valley Mall. Sites are available to all county residents to recycle
at any time of day, 365 days a year. He noted that they are working on
installing 3 more sites by the end of 2002. A promotional campaign and
education on recycling with be forthcoming. Also, he noted that the Commission
has redesigned their web site, which is more user friendly.
Mr. Frank stated that all the
data is now online regarding the 2000 Census. Also, this information was
mailed to all the municipalities in Mercer County. He informed the Commission
that back in June, Stoneboro Borough adopted their new Zoning Ordinance, which
is now in affect. Other zoning ordinances, which are still ongoing, include
Wolf Creek and Jamestown.
Mr. Conti noted that the staff
assisted Greenville Borough in successfully bidding the reconstruction of
South Second Street and currently bid the Sidewalk improvement project for
Greenville Borough. He stated that in Pine Township a modification was
submitted and approved for the Route 173/Airport Road sewer line extension
project. Also, the Phase I Archaeological Survey has been completed and the PA
Historical and Museum Commission have cleared the project of any need for
further archeological investigation. He also informed the Commission that
money is now available for municipalities under the Community Revitalization
Programs such as promote economic development, improve the stability of the
community, and enhance the welfare and quality of life for PA citizens. He
also stated that the Mercer County Affordable Housing Fund held their first
meeting in September, which Board members will solicit, review and recommend
projects to the Mercer County Commissioners this fall concerning the
Brownfield for Housing application. The first round for applications for the
Mercer County Affordable Housing Fund will be March 1, to April 30, 2003.
Mr. Gracenin stated that the
12-Year Highway Program and the Transportation Improvement Program were
approved by the MPO and also by the State Transportation Commission. These
programs will formally go into effect on October 1, 2002. He also noted that
due to the Census numbers and changes in the urbanized area for Mercer County,
changes are expected to occur with the MPO. How the MPO will function in the
future is ongoing. A meeting between all parties will be held at the
Youngstown MPO in October. Assistance is also being provided to the Wheatland
Walkway, the Trout Island bike/pedestrian way and the Shenango Valley Trail
system under the Transportation Enhancement programs. MCRPC is participating
in the preliminary engineering study for the Lamor/Pine Hollow Project that
will alleviate traffic issues along PA 518. Traffic counts were taken by MCRPC
in that area. MCRPC is providing input to the I-79/PA 208 engineering phase
through participation on a Community Advisory Committee. The engineering work
is proceeding as scheduled.
Mr. Puko stated that he would
discuss his progress concerning the County Comprehensive Plan later this
evening. He also stated that work is not complete for the Shenango Valley
merger/consolidation study. The Committee has not completed their report or
recommendation.
ZONING & SUBDIVISION
REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Scott, Chairman, reported
that the Committee met last week, a quorum was present and took action on the
following items:
1. Zoning Map Amendment - City
of Sharon – Mr. Scott stated that
the Committee reviewed this rezoning issue. The applicant wishes to rezone
land situated on Thomas Avenue, south of US 62, adjacent to the Brookfield,
OH-Sharon, PA border from Institutional (I) to Central Commercial (C-1) for
the purposes of an automobile repair and detailing shop and also billboard
signage. The Committee discussed the matter and decided that this property
would be better rezoned to Neighborhood and Local Business (C-2) rather than
Central Commercial (C-1) because the maximum building height of a C-2 Zone is
more in character with the surrounding neighborhood. A motion was made by Mr.
Scott and seconded by Mr. Hogan to deny the proposed rezoning and recommend
that the property be rezoned to Neighborhood and Local Business (C-2). The
motion passed.
2. Zoning Text Amendment –
Coolspring Township – Mr. Scott
noted that Coolspring Township Supervisors wish to amend their Zoning
Ordinance to allow Health and Fitness Centers as a permitted principal use in
the Residential-Rural Low Density (R-1) Zoning District. The Committee
discussed this matter and decided that the potential large size and high
traffic generation of health and fitness centers would not be in character
with the rural environment of the R-1 zone. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and
seconded by Mr. Price to deny the proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment and
recommend that Coolspring Township reevaluate their existing
Commercial Zoning Districts and plan to extend or create new Commercial Zones
on Routes 58, 62 and 19 to allow for Health and Fitness Centers. The motion
passed.
50th ANNIVERSARY
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Puko gave the Committee
Report in the absence of Mr. Johnson, Committee Chairman. MCRPC will be
holding a special public open house on Tuesday, October 1, 2002. Officials and
the public are welcome to visit anytime from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., tour the
office, meet the staff, learn about planning being done in community and
economic development, transportation, zoning and subdivision, solid waste
management, recycling and more. He also noted that MCRPC has a must-see
collection of slides of post-WWII of the Shenango Valley, including aerial
photos taken of the Shenango Valley in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He noted
that a 50th Anniversary Exhibit with MCRPC history and photos would
be traveling to various businesses and municipal buildings throughout the
County for public viewing. He also noted that the 50th Anniversary
Banquet would be held on Friday, December 6, 2002 at Rosemont Banquet Center,
downtown Sharon. He encourages everyone to join us that evening to celebrate
50 years of achievements and outstanding people.
RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE
OCTOBER 2002 AS PLANNING GREAT COMMUNITIES MONTH IN MERCER COUNTY
Mr. McAdams, Chairman stated
that a Resolution was mailed to Commission members declaring October 2002 as
"Planning Great Communities Month in Mercer County", which is
attached to and made part of permanent set of Minutes. A motion was made by
Ms. Lazor and seconded by Mr. Tomko to approve the resolution declaring
October as "Planning Great Communities Month in Mercer County". The
motion passed.
ACTIONS FOR MERCER COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Mr. Puko noted that the
Executive Committee in August authorized submission of an application to DCED
for the Land Use Planning Technical Assistance Program in the amount of
$84,000 to fund the update of the Mercer County Comprehensive Plan and
integrated multi-municipal comprehensive plans. He noted that we received
approval on this application already and we need authorization to enter into a
grant contract with DCED for the Land Use Planning Technical Assistance
Program grant in the amount of $84,000. The purpose of this funding is to
procure consultants that will work as a team with Commission staff to do the
work of the County Comprehensive Plan and working with the municipal clusters
outside of Greenville/Hempfield and Grove City Borough. A motion was made by
Ms. Lazor and seconded by Mr. Price to approve authorization to enter into
grant contract. The motion passed.
Mr. Puko next stated that we
need authorization to request proposals from consultants to perform
grant-funded work. A motion was made by Mr. Stanton and seconded by Ms.
McAdams to approve authorization to request proposals from consultants. The
motion passed.
CHANGE OF DATE FOR OCTOBER
MEETING
Mr. McAdams noted that the
scheduled October MCRPC meeting is also the date of the PA Economy League
Annual Dinner. The Economy League had only this date available. Many MCRPC
representatives enjoy attending the Economy League dinner, therefore, MCRPC
should consider changing their meeting. Someone suggested changing the October
meeting to the fifth Tuesday (October 29). A motion was made by Mr. Paxton and
seconded by Mr. Theiss to change the October MCRPC meeting to October 29,
2002. The motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Puko stated that there has
been discussion about the surveying work of Ron Bittler. The Commission
authorized back in the Spring to submit a letter to the PA Department of
State, which handles the licensing of professionals, including land surveyors.
At that time, and still ongoing, a complaint was filed by the PA Department of
Environmental Protection against Mr. Bittler and was being heard and
considered. The Commission was authorized to write a letter at that time to
inform them that it was important to the Commission that they concluded their
decision on the matter. Mr. Puko stated that a few weeks ago, Mr. John
Henderson of the PA Department of State called to say that our letter would
not be introduced to the licensing board as additional evidence for
considering its decision. He suggested that the Commission consider filing a
complaint themselves to gain attention from the licensing board. After further
discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Stanton and seconded by Mr. Hogan to file
a complaint to the PA Department of State. The motion passed with John
Courtney abstaining.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business or
discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Submitted and Certified By:
James Pat White, Secretary -
MCRPC
Mercer
County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
mail@mcrpc.com www.mcrpc.com
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