Jun 15, 2015 3 min read

• Date: May 26

• Action: Prior to the meeting, a conditional use hearing was held on an application submitted by Rice Energy for the construction of a natural gas well pad on Munce Road property owned by William A. and Cathi Jo Beitler of South Strabane Township. If approved, it would be the first time Rice would drill in North Strabane.

Board Chairman Brian Spicer said Rice requested be given leniency on a few of the township’s conditions, including hours of operation and setback distances. Spicer said the company indicated the Beitlers’ property sets on the border of the 500-foot setback boundary. The township limits operations between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Rice requested hours between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The board expects to vote on the item in June.

The board voted to rezone 100.23 acres on Thomas Eighty Four Road from agricultural to residential-2 to allow the construction of a housing plan. Supervisors voted 3-2 to rezone 13.86 acres on Weavertown Road from residential-3 to industrial to allow the construction of rental storage units. Spicer and Supervisor Marcus Staley voted no.

The board voted 4-1 to advertise for the position of a full-time code enforcement officer. Supervisor Harold Close abstained and said he will be applying for that position.

Supervisors unanimously voted to reject an ordinance that would require businesses to install a Knox-Box, a system that would allow emergency responders to retrieve a key to the structure instead of having to break doors or windows. Staley said he thought it was a good idea, but said businesses shouldn’t be forced to hand over their keys.

• Next meeting: 7 p.m. June 16 at the municipal building

• Date: June 4

• Action: The board accepted the resignation of high school English teacher Thomas Trettel, who is retiring. The board also accepted the resignation of varsity assistant golf coach Kristian Damaska. The board approved band staff hirings, including Thomas McKinney as first assistant director of the band at a salary of $4,330, Michael Guzik as second assistant director at $3,247, Elizabeth Karnes, auxiliary, at $2,706, and Lorne Hyskell, captain, at $2,165.Also, the board approved hiring John Murphy as junior varsity assistant football coach for the 2015-16 season at a salary of $2,165.

The board also approved a two-year HP lease purchase agreement at a cost not to exceed $346,323.20.

The board awarded Intermediate Unit bids for art supplies at Trinity North, East and West, and industrial arts supplies at Trinity Middle School totaling $16,384.

The board also approved lease agreements with Community Action Southwest at Trinity South and Trinity North, effective through June 30, 2016, for the district’s pre-Kindergarten program. The district now offers the program to North, South and West elementary schools. Superintendent Michael Lucas, noting the academic benefits of early education, said the school district is exploring parent interest in a tuition-based preschool for students.

• Next meeting: 6:30 p.m. June 18