First Posted: 1/18/2012

NEWTON TOWNSHIP – The Newton Township Board of Supervisors held its reorganization meeting on January 3 with new positions appointed on both the board and the standing committees.
Ronald Koldjeski was appointed chairman of the board of supervisors, Douglas Pallman was appointed vice chairman and roadmaster, Kevin Carr was appointed assistant roadmaster, Ron Koldjeski was appointed police liaison, John Stemphoski was appointed as emergency management coordinator and Ron Krafjack was appointed as vacancy board chairperson.
In other employee appointments, Francine Miller was appointed as secretary/treasurer at an hourly rate of $14.65 which includes a 1% increase, Richard Thompson was appointed as foreman at an hourly rate of $19.48 which also includes a 1% increase, Christopher Summerhill was appointed as laborer at a hourly rate of $16.56 which includes a 2% increase, Robert Reese was appointed as police chief at a hourly rate of $23.97 which includes a 3% increase per contract, Joan Scandale was appointed as wage tax collector at the rate of 3 1/2% of collected taxes, Miller was appointed assistant wage tax collector at a rate of 2% of collected taxes Scott Haan was hired as code enforcement officer at a salary of previous years and Miller was appointed as a cleaning person at a hourly rate of $7.35.
The recreation center staff employees were also appointed by the board at the meeting – Curt Bogart at an hourly rate of $8.77 which includes a 2% increase, Carol Mielnikowski at a rate of $7.25 per hour, Joseph Orzel at an hourly rate of $7.83 which includes a 2% increase and Joann Scott at a hourly rate of $7.25 per hour.
Supervisors also voted for monthly meetings to be held the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. with the work session on the Wednesday prior to the monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m.
The board held its monthly meeting after the reorganization and reviewed proposals in regards to the installation of propane tanks at the town recreation center.
Bids were received from D & A Excavating for $2,625 and Buranich Excavating for $3,200 to dig the hole for the burial of the tanks with three other quotes being received from Keystone Propane in the amount of $6,208, Airline Petroleum $6,820 and Paraco in the amount of $5,288.39 for the installation of the propane tanks.
The board agreed to review the proposals before awarding of the bids.
In other business, the board approved the South Abington Township police contract for 2012 upon approval of the solicitor Jospeh Sileo, a variance for a garage on Laurel Hill road that exceeds the 15-foot height restrictions and the purchase of a police Taser in the amount of $1840 from Wittner Public Safety Group.