TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HUNTINGDON, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING, WEDNESDAYUIYI,A 7:001 P.M. 11279 Center Highway, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 Presiding Officer - Jason Atwood, President, Board of Commissioners  CALLTO ORDER  Commissioner Atwood called the meeting to order at 7:001 P.M.  ROLL CALL Commissioner Hèmpel Commissioner Haigis Commissioner Gray Commissioner Zona Commissioner Bevan Commissioner Gass Commissioner Atwood PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENING! PRAYER CITIZENS INPUT  Present Tele-conference Present Present Present Tele-conference Present  Also Present: Manager Harry Faulk Solicitor Dice Ryan Fonzi Lt. McCurdy Rich Albert Kody Grabiak  Rick Keenan - 700 Leger Road = states he would like to speak about Township spending, particularly donating money to the VFW. He states a donation, by definition, is when you reach into your own pocket but when a governing body gives it is a grant. He is concerned ifa donation is given to the VFW will open the door for other non-profits to ask for donations and he feels the Township does not have the right to give taxpayers money away. Seçondly, he states the lease of forty acres for one dollar per year is absolutely ridiculous. He feels when the Board went into Executive Session and came out with permission to negotiate was backdoor politics. Tom Pike - Protect PT - 3344 PA Route 130 Harrison City =- states he here about the proposed Apex Energy sub-surface fracking lease. He states he was approached by ai resident to speak about the science of fracking and Apex's history of violations. He states the proposed fracking is not going to occur in a park, but under undisturbed forested public lands. He feels the Board has an Katie Forsythe - 1441 Guffey Road = states she wants to express her concern for the proposed vote for lateral drilling. She is concerned fracking chemicals do not stay at the drilling level and will flow to the surface in wells, streams and rivers. She hopes the Board will consider the  obligation to do due diligence on possibly partnering with Apex Energy.    July17,2024  impending fallout from allowing this action to take place and to balance the monetary value to what the repercussions would be. Please vote no toj protect the residents and public places. Joanne Garing - 760 Peregrine Drive - states the voters ofNorth Huntingdon have put their trust int the Board to look out for the best interests oft the community. She feels the decision cuts to the core of who we are and what is important to us. She knows there are dangers associated with fracking, first being the health issues and secondly the increased pollution in the air, water and soil. Thirdly, is the disposal oft the sludge and water waste that fracking generates. She also feels fracking will decrease the property values. She states Apex Energy sued Penn Township for three hundred eighty million dollars for denying permits for drilling and requires all lease holders to sign very restrictive confidentiality agreements which limits the ability to file lawsuits. She feels the residents have the right to clean air, pure water and the preservation oft natural environment. Dan Brummett - 10740 Old Trail Road - states he was very excited to learn about the proposed sports complex and feels it is definitely something that is needed here. He states young athletes need somewhere to train and indoor facilities will keep them competitive over the winters along Jean Straw - 9741 Downing Place - states she hopes the Board will vote no to the fracking andi is in full support ofwhat everyone said this evening. Also, shei is in supportofthe1 new sports facility. Jordan Raymond - 11031 Belaire Drive - asks and urges the Board to vote no to the fracking. He states he lives directly adjacent to Indian Lake in the LillyBrooke Plan and does not want his children to exposed tot the environmental issues. He also asks fori more advertising regarding issues like this to keep the community informed. He states he serves on one of the Boards and feels he should have been aware of this. He states Apex Energy sent a flyer to him and he called five to Lee Tosi - 2462 Lynnrose Drive - states he is here to strenuously urge the Board to vote no and do not allow the fracking. The decision to allow Apex to frack will last forever and should be Lisa McCall - 591 Peregrine Drive states she agrees with everything that has been said, especially int this area where Apex has chosen to petition to be able to frack. She feels. Apex is not a trustworthy company and she urges the Board to vote no. She is also concerned with the future Ted Lanyl - 11081 Belaire Drive - states he has lived in this plan since 2001 and loves the community. He asks the Board to vote no as there is nothing good that is going to come out of this. He feels the property owners have no say regarding the fracking and could damage their properties. He asks if Apex would post a bond for protection tot the property owners, but doubtsi it very much. He also has his business ini the Township and feels this is not a good idea.  with increasing revenue ini the Township.  seven times leaving voicemails and never heard back from anyone.  entrusted toj protect the planet.  generations of families and issues fracking will produce.    July1 17,2024  Nathan Willis - 691 Peregrine Drive = states he agrees with all that was said tonight but emphasizes that even if Apex is right and does not cause environmental impact, there are still multitudes of documentaries that are easily logical and this will affect property values into the  future and people will not want to live here. RESPONSE TO CITIZENS INPUT  Mr. Keenan - Township Spending - Commissioner Zona states he made the motion to make the donation to the VFW and the First-Class Township Code expressly authorizes an annual donation of up to three hundred dollars to a veterans home or veterans organization only and no other Apex Energy Lease - Commissioner Atwood states this is on the agenda and can be discussed at  organization or non-profit are permitted to donate to.  that time.  Sports Complex - There were: no Board comments.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Commissioner Zona' Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve (Special Meeting 6/13/24)  Motion carried7-0-0  Motion: Commissioner Gray  Motion to approve (Regular Meeting 6/19/24)  as amended.  Commissioner Atwood states there was a switch in the vote for tabling oft the Apex Lease from  Commissioner Hempel's motion and Commissioner Gray's second.  Second: Commissioner Zona  Motion carried7-0-0  PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve Voucher No. 31309 through  Voucher No. 31658.  Motion carried 7-0-0    July17.2024  STAFF REPORTS: PUBLIC WORKS REPORT  Director Albert states the crews are working diligently to get the roads ready forj paving and dealing with the weather elements. Commissioner Hempel thanks the road crews for all their work.  PARKS REPORT  There were no Board comments. Commissioner Hempel thanks for-allowing his organization Tom's Turkeys to be present at the movie in the park and he encourages people to attend Movies  ini the Parks asi it is ai nice event for children and families.  POLICE REPORT  Lieutenant McCurdy recognizes local first responder, Jacob Lazar, from Paintertown VFW who recently passed away during cleanup from the recent tornadoes. He also encourages volunteers to  join the local VFW's.  EMERGENCYMANAGEMENT REPORT There are. no Board comments. ENGINEERING REPORT  Commissioner Gray asks ift there is a report for Emergency Management. Manager Faulk states a report was not given. Commissioner Gray asks where the office is for Emergency Management. Manager Faulk states an office in this building is being worked on for them.  FIRE OFFICIAL'S REPORT There were no Board comments.  SUBDIVISION & LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION REPORT  1) S-07-2024: Bellone, Jellison & Harris Plan  Action to approve a boundary line revision on Baker School Road.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0    July 17,2024  2) S-08-2024: Natale Consolidation  Action to approve a consolidation on Linmore Drive.  Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Bevan  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0  SOLICITOR'S REPORT - Solicitor Alexander  Solicitor Dice reports that yesterday he received a call from the sports complex council trying to Commissioner Gass asks if the meeting will be just with the lawyers and wants the public to be aware this is not a secret/private meeting. Commissioner Bevan states she agrees with Solicitor Dice in putting the complex out for bid. Commissioner Gray states he agrees too and feels the process has been askew. He feels the Board should decide what they want first not what to settle for and put it out for public bid. Commissioner Zona feels that is a moot point as last week the Board agreed to: move forward with the attorneys working on the agreement. and bring back to the Board. Commissioner Bevan feels the property should be appraised as well. Commissioner Gray states last week he suggested putting on the agenda to terminate the exclusive agreement but  mutually find a convenient time to meet to discuss the lease.  received zero support.  TOWNSHIP MANAGERS REPORT  1) Action to approve the. June check register.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0  2) Budget Report - June 2024 Report.  3) Action to advertise Ordinance No. 2023 accepting the dedication toj public use certain roads known as New Hope Drive and Isabella Drive ini the Hollybrook Plan ofl lots.  Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Bevan  Motion to approve, Motion carried 7-0-0  4) Action to advertise for Full Time Telecommunication Officer.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0    July17.2024  5) Action to enter: into ai non-surface oil and gas lease agreement with. Apex Energy for Parcel  ID: #54-11-00-0-113. Motion: Commissioner Haigis Second: Commissioner Zona  Motion to approve.  Commissioner Gass states at tonight's meeting, multiple people asked for the Board to vote no against Apex Energy and they know what they want in their lives and the Board is representing government. He states he will vote with the residents and vote against Apex Energy.  ROLL CALL: Commissioner Hempel - NO Commissioner Haigis- YES Commissioner Gray -NO Commissioner Zona - YES Commissioner Bevan - NO Commissioner Gass -NO Commissioner Atwood-NO  Motion fails 2-5-0  6) Action to refund Circleville VFD in the amount of $415.11 for the tax year 2022.  Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Gray  Motion to approve.  Manager Faulk asks President Atwood that this motion be tabled because he just received a court ordered document yesterday stating the amount is far less than what was discussed between  Circleville VFD and himself. Motion: Commissioner Gray Second: Commissioner Bevan FURTHER BOARD COMMENTS  Motion to table. Motion carried 17-0-0  Commissioner Gray offers a disclaimer that hel has not spoken to Mr. Keenan who is present at the meeting norl has he: spoken to Commissioner Zona regarding politicians and their addiction to OPM (Other Peoples Money). He states there was a debate two months ago about donating public tax dollars to the VFW's Don Kattic Pavilion Project. He states he argued against dipping into the public tax dollar purse that Commissioner Zona rightly pointed out that a First-Class Township Code permits donating upi to three hundred dollars to the VFW. He states six Commissioners voted to donate other people's money to the VFW project whereas he abstained. He states he handed Commander Kory Bulloch of the VFW a personal check for three hundred dollars. During the meeting six Commissioners who supported donating public tax dollars also said they would personally donate. He states before the meeting tonight, he checked with the VFW Commander asking how many Commissioners donated to the project and was told two. He asks    July 17,2024  what the Board and local government are coming to. Commissioner Zona responds that three hundred dollars from this Board is a very minor amount and abstaining from the vote is not a courageous vote and not doing yourj job. He feelsifCommisioner: Gray disagreed with it, should have voted no instead of abstaining. Commissioner Gray agrees and regrets not voting no.  ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Gray  Motion to adjourn. (8:02 P.M) Motion carried7-0-0  ) Regular Meeting Minutes of] July 17, 2024 were approved by the Board of  Commissioners on August 21, 2024.  ROL Harry R'Faulk, Township Manager  /ijh  SA