PORT ALLEGANY — Scott Cowburn, chief information officer/general counsel of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, was among the speakers Thursday morning to address the 105th annual convention of the McKean County Association of Township Officials at the Port Allegany Veterans Club.
The purpose of the conventions is to provide township officials with current information to help them better serve their residents, and Cowburn presented a PowerPoint dealing with such issues as legislation affecting Second Class townships, association programs and services and other issues of major importance.
Cowburn announced that a PSATS Regional Fall Forum, one of a series of six educational sessions to be held around the state this fall, is slated for Nov. 8-9 at the Park Inn by Radisson, Clarion.
Cowburn said the PSATS Trustees Insurance and Retirement Services offers programs of medical/dental coverage, unemployment compensation, disability/life insurance and pension plans.
The PSATS Salary Survey, done every two years, is now open for data entry, using an interactive platform, which will allow customized reports to be created. “You can search several counties near you,” Cowburn said.
Township officials, Cowburn urged, should be certain to appoint a voting delegate for the PSATS Annual Conference where resolutions establishing legislative policies and by-law amendments are considered before going on to Harrisburg and Washington, as well as electing organization officers and directors.
Cowburn spoke about some legislative matters, some of which have become or are about to become law. Effective since December 2017, is Act 54 of 2017, which establishes uniform residency qualifications for military personnel on active duty who want to run for public office. The law also clarifies that a person remains a resident of the municipality where they previously established their residency during active military duty.
Act 32 of 2018 that becomes effective December 16 will accelerate the foreclosure process for vacant and abandoned properties.
In a related, matter, Cowburn said that now with Act 33 of 2018, redevelopment authorities now have the same authorization to accept the transfer of real property as land banks.
“Another legislative issue and one that fulfills PSAT resolution, Act 42 of 2018 increases the minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for $180 for basic life support, $300 for advanced life support and $2 per mile for loaded miles in excess of 20 miles,” said Cowburn.
Speaking about the following bills, Cowburn said, “The Legislature has returned to session in September for a limited number days, which is nearing the end of the two-year legislative cycle. Any bill that has not become law by the end of the year will die and have to be reintroduced next session.”
House Bill 1364, concerning bids, has passed the state House and is now in the Senate. It would authorize municipalities that have advertised for bids for services twice and received no bids to contract for services with any provider not otherwise disqualified by law.
Senate Bill 803, also about the bid process, has passed the Senate and is before the House. Addressing a PSATS resolution, the bill would authorize townships to purchase personal property from volunteer emergency service organizations without going through the competitive bidding process.
HB 2154, having passed the House and is in the Senate, would make major amendments to the Oil and Gas act by authorizing the use of brine from conventional wells for de-icing, anti-icing, dust control and road stabilization.
During this interactive session, Cowburn spent some time discussing the state’s Right-to-Know Law with the local officials. After asking how many townships record their public meetings, he said, “Recordings of public meetings are legal documents and must be produced within five days. Townships cannot refuse requests to record meetings. However, an announcement of a meeting being filmed should be made in advance, allowing a person who doesn’t want to be photographed an opportunity to leave the room.
“In cases where the public portion of the meeting is near the beginning of the agenda, the public must be given a chance to comment on items that were considered later in the meeting.”
As to who may attend executive sessions, which are closed to the public and where no official action can be taken, Cowburn said, “Employees of the township and anyone who has to be present for discussions may be there.”
Are township officials obligated to let non-residents speak at public meeting? “Technically,” Cowburn said, “only residents and taxpayers can speak at these meetings. If otherwise, the township should have a policy.”
Cowburn also highly recommended that townships have job descriptions and employee handbooks outlining policies.
Other speakers during the morning were Barry Mayes and Amy Hessler of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission; Kirk Kirkpatrick, Pennsylvania One Call System Inc,; Magisterial District Justice Bill Todd; Randy Albert and Shawn Agosti, PennDOT municipal services; and Michael Johnson and Denny Fortin, Northwest.
Presenters at the afternoon session were Tom Kronenwetter, local government liaison for Local Government Services; McKean County Planner Jeremy Morey; Byron Sutton, Career Link; Deborah Pontzer, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson’s office; and Dave DiTanna and Jeremy Smith of Buffamante, Whipple and Buttafaro.
