The Board of Supervisors of West Finley Township held their monthly meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:00 pm at the Township Building. All Supervisors were in attendance.
Other attendees included the following:
George Weaver, Warren Duncan, Melinda Duncan, Heather Martin, Jeff Hemmis, Doug Lesnock, Bill Tremel, Jim Deml, Mike Orum, Judy Orum, Henrietta O’Brien, Angela Lash, Al Lash, Kathi Terrell, Tracey Smith, Mark Smith, Donna Capezzuto, Kara Grillo, Tim Collins, Joe Leco, Rhonda Zozula, Greg Zozula, Josh Kuhens, Donna Romanko, Jonathan Layne, Tracey Shaulis, Barbara Minch, Mara Santis, Brandon Gray, Richard Davis, Emily Chambers, Matt Chambers, Cathy Chambers, Denise Blum, Claire Hagan, Rick Shaw, Lourae (Donna) Rayl, Cecelia Burig, Corey Santucci, Tim Sloane, Jodi Borello, Hunter Hemmis, Melissa Kay Leisure, and Rachelle (Harrison) Tompkins.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Martin called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm.
PRIOR MEETING MINUTES
The minutes from the July meeting were previously emailed to the Supervisors. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Chairman Martin and seconded by Supervisor Yankovich. All in favor, Ayes: 3, motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
The Secretary met with an Insurance representative from PSATS to discuss pension plans for Township employees. An information packet was emailed to the Supervisors for review. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for the Supervisors to thoroughly examine the information. Chairman Martin tabled the pension plan until next month’s Board meeting.
The Township received information and a quote on upgrades to the office telephone system. Steven Ralston from Full Service Network has proposed a system that would replace the landline service via Verizon. Chairman Martin motioned to approve the new system, with the stipulation that all the connections are successfully tested. Supervisor Yankovich seconded the motion. All in favor, Ayes: 3, motion carried.
WEST FINLEY VFC REPORT
Mark Sibert presented the monthly call report for the Volunteer Fire Company. The total number of calls for July was 31. There was an issue with the 911 system, and it was down for a short period of time. The Gun Bash will be on August 23, 2025 at the Volunteer Fire Company.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Weather conditions have delayed tar and chip this year. However, the Foreman has coordinated with East Finley Township and the oil company to schedule the last two weeks of August for tar and chip.
An invoice for cold patch was previously sent to Brandon Bauer of Powerhouse Communications for repairs on Blockhouse Run Road. No response was received. The Secretary then sent the invoice to two upper level management representatives, but neither of them responded either. Chairman Martin made a motion to pull the road permits if the invoice isn’t paid within 30 days. Vice Chairman Pritt seconded the motion. All in favor, Ayes: 3, motion carried.
TOWNSHIP REPORT
Washington County has an external company to post delinquent tax notices. Representatives from Palmetto Postings will be in the area to notify property owners of any delinquent taxes. The county has supplied driver and vehicle data for informational purposes.
The PA State Police report was prepared for the Board prior to the meeting. July had more calls this year than in the previous two. The Board reviewed the report.
The monthly K2 Engineering, Inc. report was presented to the Board. There were no permits issued. We are still waiting to hear from the DEP regarding the Walnut Valley crossing project. Information on awarded LSA funds will most likely not be available until September.
The Township received an NOI from the DEP for Tunnel Ridge. They are converting acreage from subsidence control and development to longwall underground mining.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
The financial reports for all the Township accounts were presented, including balances from the July 2025 bank statements. QuickBooks reconciliation reports for each account were also examined. The Board also reviewed an itemized list of current expenditures for payment in August. The motion to approve the financial statements and payment of the expenditures was made by Chairman Martin and seconded by Vice Chairman Pritt. All in favor, Ayes: 3, motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Before Public Comment, Chairman Martin announced that there was no new development on the data center construction. As such, there can be no action taken by the Board at tonight’s meeting.
George Weaver asked if public water would ever come to the Township. The Township applied for an LSA grant for a new water line or a water station. We were denied that grant last year. Information on this year’s grant won’t be available until September. Mr. Weaver also inquired about the fiber optic project and the possibility of it coinciding with the data center project. His last comment was regarding a handicapped parking spot.
Melinda Duncan wanted to know what the Board’s plan is regarding the retirement of one of the Road Crew workers. The Board has made no decisions to replace this employee. She was curious to know how tar and chip would work with just two employees, but East Finley Township will be assisting our Road Crew like always. She suggests not waiting until the winter season to decide to replace the employee. Mrs. Duncan also expressed her concern regarding water and the proposed data center. She proposed asking the company to provide city water to the Township.
Heather Martin made a public request for the Township to put ordinances in place for zoning. She also volunteered to help in any way necessary to do so.
Doug Lesnock also suggests zoning to help control what businesses, structures, etc. come into the Township.
Henrietta O’Brien presented a letter requesting a moratorium for data center building permits. She also urged the Board to schedule a special Planning Commission meeting. Chairman Martin suggested a review of the presented documents by the Township Solicitor. The Secretary will contact him immediately and will schedule a meeting based on his recommendations.
Bill Tremel works in computer data centers and is against their construction in West Finley Township. He is also offering his services and time to help the Township develop zoning ordinances or other building restrictions to keep the data centers out of our area.
Al Lash asked if the Board was going to stop data centers from coming to the Township.
Angela Lash presented some articles about the health detriments of data centers to people and animals.
Donna Capezzuto expressed thanks to her neighbors for showing support against the data centers by coming to the meetings. She also asked for a recap of the Full Service Network agenda item and the NOI from Tunnel Ridge as previously addressed during New Business.
Kathleen Terrell addressed the Board concerning her issues with her neighbors. She feels as though she is being harassed and would like some assistance from the Board. Chairman Martin will discuss this matter with Ms. Terrell at a later time.
Tracey Smith wanted to clarify some of the information from the data center meeting with Brian Patten. She has concerns about the data center’s use of AI (artificial intelligence) and its components.
Tim Collins verbalized his disappointment that the Township Solicitor was not present at this meeting.
Mark Smith requests that the data center be an agenda item going forward. He also believes the Solicitor should be present to help draft ordinances for solar farms, wind farms, data centers, or other facilities that could negatively impact the West Finley community.
Joe Leco reiterated Bill Tremel’s statement, as he also works in computer data centers. It will not create that many jobs for the Township since they are run with minimal staff. He is not in favor of the construction of data centers here. Mr. Leco also inquired about the status of the Windstream poles and when they will be finished connecting them. There are cables everywhere, but nothing is completed with connections.
Becky Collins requested more chairs be available for the meetings.
Donna Romanko echoed concerns about the data center affecting our air, water, and food.
Jonathan Layne also suggested microphones/speakers during the meetings to make it easier to hear.
Rick Rizor asked Chairman Martin why he ran for Supervisor for the Township. He complained about the lack of parks, water, and the garbage pollution in Burnsville.
Emily Chambers wanted clarification on the submission of permits for the data center. No permits have been filed at this time. She also expressed her appreciation for the maintenance of the Township roads, as she is a new bus driver for McGuffey.
Jodi Borello wanted to know what the Washington County Planning Commission department would recommend West Finley Township for the data center. Chairman Martin explained that to the best of his knowledge, they did not recommend the Township, rather, just gave Mr. Patten our contact information so that he could reach out to us.
Kara Grillo asked for clarification on which properties this data center would be constructed.
The Secretary will contact James Liekar, the Township Solicitor, for his recommendations on the moratorium that was presented at the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
Chairman Martin adjourned the meeting at 7:11 pm.