MJRSA – Morgan Reprimands Geer in Public Meeting
A new board member on the Mount Jewett Regional Sewer Authority (MJRSA), Brett Morgan, reprimanded Steve Geer, who is an employee of the sewer authority during public comment time during July 12 board meeting.
Morgan, being Mount Jewett Borough Council President, an employee of the MJSA, and a new board member of the MJRSA, lashed out at Geer for speaking his thoughts and opinions in the Jewett Market Place where his “wife works.”
The argument started when Geer touched on a few issues that they do not see eye to eye on. Geer said he has had 2 1/2 years to observe Morgan working.
“You seem to let him get away with more and more,” Geer said to the board.
He stated that Morgan doesn’t lock the gate each night and it “screams laziness,” Geer said. “I see things that he (Morgan) gets away with because he doesn’t want to do it. I’m tired of it.” Geer continued by saying, “He is on the board and you aren’t going to get rid of him. But, you’ve got to have some oversight. You tell me that you guys aren’t allowed to go down there (sewer maintenance area) to look over him to see what is going on, I think that is ridiculous!”
Geer mentioned the door on the second pond that was replaced after 14 months of being hard to get open and that it “fell down in.” He said teenagers don’t pay attention or care about the “No Trespassing” signs and enter anyway.
Geer stated that the boat would be in a different place on the bank than originally left and said it was kids being kids and suggested putting a chain on it.
Geer said that he sees that Morgan moved the testing sight “down below.” Geer said he had nothing against Morgan but asked if he moved the testing sight so he could “hide down there.”
Geer talked about other issues at the ponds, such as being told he is mowing too much and not being able to keep up with the weeds growing. He stated that DEP does not allow weeds to overhang the pond.
The conversation got heated when Geer started talking about the hours the employees should be working. Morgan stepped in and said that if he had not heard about the conversations from different sources that took place at the grocery store he wouldn’t have talked with Geer the day prior.
“Now I’m going to talk and you are going to listen,” Morgan said.
Board Member, Butch Colley tried to talk and Morgan shut him down by saying, “Let me make my statement, and then you can talk!” Morgan continued, “Here’s the deal! I wouldn’t have even known of any grievances that you had because you are running to places and talking.” Geer tried to speak and Morgan said, “I’m talking!”
Morgan told Geer that the MJRSA was structured for a chain of command. Geer responded, “You structured it!” Morgan told Geer that if he has a problem he is to come to him. “I would say okay or we will take it to the rest of the board. That is not what happened here! This all came to a head because people don’t want to talk because people want to breed some sort of
drama! So, I don't have a problem! If you have a problem locking the gate, I don't care!” Morgan exclaimed.
He also said that he would like to pull out the gates along the containment area, and lay them over the concrete so nobody can get in. Morgan stated that the reason he does the testing there is that nothing is in the building other than Chlorine.
“I'm not trying to hide my time,” said Morgan angrily.
Morgan reflected on the conversation that he and Geer had the day before concerning employee, John Himes and how little help Geer has with weed whacking.
“Talk to him,” Morgan said. “If you want him down there at a more standard time to work with you, I don't have a problem with that. But, you know what I need? A little communication! You don't want to talk to anybody but you come here and bring all this stuff up!”
Geer said that he was told Himes was going to work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Secretary Kelly Koontz said Himes was going to be on a needed basis (up to 20 hours a week) when he is not working for the Mount Jewett Borough.
Geer said it is fine but talked about the time Himes is driving back and forth and asked, “Who's time is that being charged to, the borough or the sewer? Because that is time that work is not getting done.”
Morgan said again that when Geer has a problem, the appropriate way to deal with it is to come to him. Geer interrupted and stated that John Himes is a good worker, a smart guy, and fixes things.
“I can see why you are trying to hang on to him,” Geer said.
President Ernie Rankin spoke up and asked Geer if Himes was wanting more money. Geer said he was not going to say anything about money and said that it bothers him that Himes doesn't keep a time card at the ponds but does have one at the Borough Building.
Rankin asked Geer, “What would it take? What kind of a raise would you want?”
Geer stated that he didn't know and didn't come to the meeting for money.
“I wanted the taxpayers to know that it is their money that is going to be footing the bill for these things if they go wrong,” Geer said. Rankin said that he understands Geer's point and that Himes is getting more money than Geer. Koontz said Himes is not making more than Geer. She stated that Geer is making more than Himes by at least 40 cents.
Morgan spoke up again and said, “The biggest problem that I have from a personnel standpoint, grievances are fine, but where I don't want to hear them is in the store where my wife works or around town! If you have a problem come here, say it, be a man. Talk to the secretary, any member of this board, or talk to me. You see me enough. You don't say anything.”
Geer responded, “You don't like somebody questioning what you do. We all don't like to be questioned for what we do. But, to me, you have never had a real job where you were held responsible.” Geer gave an example of how it would not be acceptable at another workplace.
Geer stated that he brought his time card and if the board wants to get rid of him after the board meeting to let him know if he should show up for work tomorrow.
For new business, the MJRSA Board suggested a maintenance schedule (two times a year) to check lines going out to the Particle Board.
Morgan stated that he has talked with Curt Wallace about the east end pump station and the degreasing project and came up with a formula to get it done with the help of Hamlin Township VFD.
Secretary Koontz gave her report and stated that she noticed the roof at the shed where the lawn mowers are located is leaking and needs to be patched.
Koontz said all fire extinguishers were installed and are now on a yearly maintenance program.
A Smoke Test is coming up on August 8, 2022, in Mount Jewett.
Two loads of sand have been ordered for sand filters and are expected to arrive by the end of the week.
The Solar Panel Renewal has been tabled.
The board went into an Executive Meeting concerning legal purposes for Jackson Avenue.