Minutes 9-26-15

Twenty Three Mile Slough RSA meeting on September 26, 2015
Call to order at 4:05 pm by Chairman, Stu Davies, at 4800 Eielson Farm Road
Present: Commissioners: Stu Davies, Jason Peters, John Tobin Residents: Ed Arobio, Robyn Davies, Frank Duncklee, Michael Ganley, Dwayne Hofschulte, Ron and Marji Illingworth, Charles Knight, Dan Rees, Roger Ridenour, Warren Smith
Agenda - John moved to approve agenda as submitted, 2nd by Jason
Stu Davies - yes Jason Peters – yes John Tobin - yes
Minutes from last meeting. Motion by John to approve without any changes, 2nd by Jason
Stu Davies - yes Jason Peters – yes John Tobin - yes
Financial report – Final report FY2014/15 included on agenda. $111,000 +/- in savings. $32,100 in maintenance budget. Stu reported our contractor has been unable to get to pothole filling, is still going to try and if unable to do asphalt will fill with gravel. Two projects not reflected in expenses are the &7,000 fix to OVT #1 and $5,000 for gravel to Skila. Also recently the end of road was graded for $1,700 which we have not received a bill for. Motion by Jason to transfer $12,000 from savings to working budget to cover extra projects 2nd by John
Stu Davies - yes Jason Peters – yes John Tobin - yes
Old Business
1. Commissioner Vacancy –Still have alternate vacancy.
New Business
1. Election of officers – John nominated Stu as Chair and District Rep and John as Secretary. Jason seconded nominations. Stu Davies - yes Jason Peters – yes John Tobin - yes
2. Road damage – residents complaining about damage caused by 4-wheelers racing and turning on gravel at end of road. Residents encouraged to call State Troopers if they see someone damaging the road since the borough does not have any enforcement powers.
3. Right of way issues – Trailer at the corner of EFR and OVT has items in the right of way. Dozer on Cowpie also in right of way. Robyn drafted letter to send to landowner. Changes made to letters. Right of way 50 feet from middle of road. Add to trailer that if they don’t respond in 30 days the issue will be turned over to the borough. Change other letter to say dozer on Cowpie. Stu will sign both letters and get out ASAP. Motion by Stu to send out letters with understanding that if no contact/results from trailer issues in 30 days the issue will be turned over to rural services. Second by Jason
Stu Davies - yes Jason Peters – yes John Tobin - yes
4. Maintenance work completed this summer – grading OVT#3 in the spring and fall, pothole repair in spring, machine clearing 2nd half of road.
5. Repairs/Maintenance needing to be completed - Still need to add gravel to Skila, Frank is working with Mitch to get that completed once the ground freezes. Parts of the decking on bridges on OVT#2 may need to be replaced next summer, Mitch and commissioners will evaluate. Discussion on problem of shoulders “sloughing off” and what to do about them. Stu will discuss possible fixes with contractor. A couple of signs need to be straightened, discussion on having contractor fix. Jason and Dan volunteered to attempt to fix.
6. Tax Cap –Jason moved to leave the tax cap at the current level. 2nd by John. Discussion followed
Stu Davies - yes Jason Peters – yes John Tobin - yes
7. Revolving loan fund – Robyn reported on opportunity for low interest loan from borough, which could be used to get reclaimer out here and fix sections of the road that require increasing maintenance. Map handed out which highlighted recommended sections. Discussion on identifying other areas where proper equipment could fix shoulders and widen corners. Consensus to let Robyn come to Feb meeting with more details including likely payment plan. Timeline is application due end of June, If approved vote before October of next year to hold election to borrow money. Election ends April 1st and than goes out to bid. Possibly could be done summer of 2017.
Public Comments-
• Discussion about the news that Robert Riddle is again dumping septage in his lagoons. Continued concern that the heavy truck traffic from trucks exempt from weight restrictions will damage the road. Consensus that because Mr. Riddle did not respond to last request to pay user fee another letter would also be ignored.
• Discussion on traffic counter set up this summer at start of road. Warren will contact the state and find out what the numbers showed for road traffic.
• Discussion on 3 year clearing cycle which will start next year. Next year start to OVT and Cowpie, 2nd year OVT to sawmill bridge and OVT #1, Arctic Fox & Seabaugh. 3rd year Sawmill to End.
Commissioner Comments - none
Next Meeting – Saturday, February 20 , 4-6 at 4800 Eielson Farm Road.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30pm

Respectfully submitted by Robyn Davies for John Tobin, Secretary