Duly advertised in The Pottstown Mercury and posted at www.schuylkilltwp.com and www.phoenixvillepatch.com
BOARD MEMBERS:
Barbara Cohen, Kevin Handforth, Jim Morrisson, Fred Parry
ALSO PRESENT
Mary Bird-Township Manager, William Brennan-Township Solicitor, Madeline Harbison-Township Secretary, John Sartor-Township Engineer
Township Representatives in Attendance
Rick Beittel-Fire Chief, Nick Cinciripino- Roadmaster, Jim Fetterman-Chief of Police, Marlou Gregory-Chair, Environmental Advisory Council, Fred Honigman-Emergency Management Coordinator, Bob Mauch-Chair, Open Space Commission, Sandy Momyer-Chair, Historical Commission, Jim Shaughnessy-Recycling Coordinator, Morris Quigg-Vice Chair, Planning Commission.
GUESTS:
J. Kenneth Butera, Esq., Butera, Beausang, Cohen & Brennan
Chronis Sapalidis, Proprietor -Valley Forge Pizza LLC
Lauren K. Milks, Esq., Lamb McErlane
PUBLIC HEARING
Application for Inter-Municipal Transfer of Pennsylvania Liquor License – Valley Forge Pizza LLC.
Mr. Brennan opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Brennan explained to those present that under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code, if a liquor license is moved from one location to another within the county, the receiving municipality must hold an advertised public hearing on the matter to vote on whether to accept the transfer of the liquor license. Mr. Brennan noted that the public hearing proceedings would be recorded by Mr. Thomas P. Corcoran, Court Reporter. Mr. Brennan then recused himself from the hearing on the grounds that his firm, Butera, Beausang, Cohen & Brennan, is counsel for the applicant, Valley Forge Pizza, LLC; and introduced Ms. Lauren K. Milks, Esq. of Lamb McErlane who would act as counsel for the township during this hearing.
Motion. On motion by Mr. Parry, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed, the Board approved Resolution No. 2012-04 authorizing the inter-municipal transfer of Pennsylvania Restaurant Liquor License # R-19985 into Schuylkill Township.
The public hearing concluded at 8:21 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The public meeting was called to order by Mr. Parry at 8:25 PM.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve Consent Agenda: On a motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Parry and passed, the Board approved the Consent Agenda.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Motion On motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Parry, and passed, the Board of Supervisors approved the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending December 31, 2011 and payment of township bills for the period ending December 31, 2011.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mr. Morrisson announced that with the Pennsylvania redistricting process complete, Senator Andy Dinniman will now be representing the Coatesville area and Senator John Rafferty will be replacing him for Schuylkill Township. This will take place in April of this year.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Mr. Robert Cooney was recognized by the Chair. Mr. Cooney requested that the Board perform a thorough study and exercise due diligence regarding access to any development planned for the tract of land known as the Reeves property. Several other residents added their concerns over the perceived ingress/egress difficulties in the event of development of the Reeves property.
BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS
Old Business
Legal Matters
Mr. Brennan updated the Board on certain on-going litigation matters
Levin. Waiting to see if Levins appeal to the appellate court.
Reeves. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court refused the allocatur petition. Mr. Brennan requested further discussion to be conducted in executive session.
Higby I. The township is not directly involved other than with document production; action is against five former supervisors. Mediation has been scheduled for February 2012.
W. Ozorowski. The case is on the trial list and could be called for March/April 2012.
New Business
Videotaping/Televising Board Meetings
Mr. Parry asked Mr. Morrisson if he had any additional information to add to that presented at the December 21, 2011 meeting. Mr. Morrisson did not but agreed to confirm certain items contained in the proposal from Phoenix Media Group he put before the Board on December 21, 2011. Mr. Parry suggested this item be tabled until more information is available. The Board concurred.
Several residents voiced their opinion that the Supervisors’ meetings should be broadcast in some way; stating that many people cannot find the time to attend the meetings in person but still want to know what is going on with their local government.
Mrs. Cohen responded that it is the Board’s preference to encourage people to attend in person to foster an interactive role between residents and supervisors. She added that the cost of televising meetings would require more discussion and further research. Mrs. Cohen suggested that she work with the township manager to investigate broadcasting alternatives for presentation at the next regular Board meeting.
Advertising Decommissioned Police Car for Sale
Motion. On a motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Morrisson and passed, the Board approved the advertising of the decommissioned police car for sale.
Resolutions/Ordinances
Resolution No. 2012-03: Withdrawal from the Chester County Round 21 Grant Contract #11218
Mr. Mauch requested that the Board postpone taking action on this resolution until after the Open Space Commission’s January meeting.
Motion. Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Morrisson, moved to approve Resolution No. 2012-03 authorizing the township’s withdrawal from the Chester County Round 21 Grant Contract #11218 for five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) for the Thompson property lot numbers 8 and 9. The motion did not pass.
The Board agreed to re-visit this agenda topic at the next regular business meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Resolution No. 2012-05: Appointment of an Officer to declare a local disaster emergency
Motion. On a motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Morrisson and passed, the Board of Supervisors appointed Kevin Handforth to serve as the Emergency Declaration Officer; authorizing him to declare an emergency should a local disaster emergency prompt such action. In the event Mr. Handforth is unable to serve, the Board appoints Fred Parry as the alternate Emergency Declaration Officer. Both appointments shall remain in force until a successor may be named.
Subdivisions/Land Development
Nothing to report.
Two-Minute Reports
GVTMA – Nothing to report.
Additional Business
Motion. On a motion by Mr. Parry, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed, Mr. Morrisson was named as the township’s voting delegate to the PSATS 2012 Annual Conference May 6-9, 2012.
Motion. On a motion by Mr. Parry, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed, Mr. Parry was appointed to the role of liaison to the Phoenixville Area School District.
Mrs. Cohen suggested to the Board that she develop ideas for using the dates allocated for the use of the Phoenixville Country Club facilities by the township. The Board concurred and requested she present her thoughts at the next business meeting.
Executive Session
At 9:00 p.m., on motion by Mr. Parry, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed, the Board of Supervisors moved into Executive Session.
The public meeting was reconvened at 10:20 p.m. Mr. Parry reported that personnel and legal issues had been discussed.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. on motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Parry and passed.
Next Board of Supervisors’ Meeting:
Special Board of Supervisors Meeting:
January 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Regular Board of Supervisors Business Meeting:
February 1, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Madeline M. Harbison
Township Secretary