SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MEETING DATE: June 4, 2008

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Stop Signs - Anderson Ave: Resident Patricia Brandt gave a brief statement of traffic/speed problem in her neighborhood and requested Board to consider problem on Anderson and asked for a stop sign on Kleyona, Anderson or North Norris. Mr. Morrisson asked for clarification on how many stop signs were being requested; resident said only one. Ms. Cohen asked Police Chief Fetterman for comment. Chief Fetterman mentioned problem with improper stopping and motorists speeding more after stop. Mr. Vutz reiterated his objection to using stop signs for speed control. Ms. Cohen asked about having a traffic study done prior to placing any stop signs. Mr. Ledbetter asked Mr. Cinciripino, Township Roadmaster, about alternate traffic calming measures. Mr. Cinciripino stated that rumble strips and speed bumps are not feasible because of DOT restrictions.

A motion was made by Mr. Ledbetter and seconded by Ms. Cohen to authorize Gilmore & Associates to do a traffic count on Anderson Avenue and deliver results to Chief Fetterman prior to next Board meeting. The motion was amended by Ms. Williams to place a not to exceed limit of $1,000.00 on cost of study from Gilmore. The amended motion was approved as follows:

Moved: Ledbetter Second: Cohen Approval: Unanimous

Stop Signs – Beacon Hill: No discussion.

Part-time Officers: A motion to hire two (2) part-time officers, one to fill a vacancy and one new position, was made and approved as follows:
Moved: Ledbetter Second: Cohen
Approval: Cohen, Ledbetter, Morrisson, Vutz Dissent: Williams

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A motion to advertise for bids for the 2002 F350 utility truck was approved as follows:
Moved: Vutz Second: Cohen Approval: Unanimous

A motion to advertise for bids for road equipment rental was approved as follows:
Moved: Ledbetter Second: Cohen Approval: Unanimous

Mr. Ledbetter questioned Roadmaster about sinkholes in Township and whether there is a pattern in where they show up. He asked if the problem could be tracked and was it possible for Gilmore to shoot a GPS of the area. Requested pricing for this from Gilmore. Question was raised about purchasing a hand held GPS unit for road crew. Mr. Ledbetter stated that an official finding from an outside consultant will hold up if Township is involved in litigation.

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Eamonn Creaney Fire Fighter of the Month

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Mr. Honigman mentioned the lack of response to request for volunteers for Township emergency response team and asked Board for recommendations on recruiting residents. Ms. Williams offered to email school parents network. It was suggested that a “sound bite” could be placed on Township website; a story placed in The Phoenix and using various community groups newsletters.

Need volunteers for Yard Waste Recycling Yard so it can be opened on Saturdays (schedule to be determined). It was noted that not much use was made of the yard on Township Spring Cleanup Day (May 24).

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Township Manager asked Board to appoint the UCC Board of Appeals mid-year 2008. Three (3) candidates have been identified who are willing to serve. All are contractors and well-versed in the state-mandated Uniformed Construction Codes. They are Charles Henzie of Phoenixville, Brian Reeves of Phoenixville and Dan Keogh of Phoenixville. The alternate member would be Roger Schafer of Phoenixville. A motion to appoint the UCC Board of Appeals with the aforementioned candidates in 2008 was approved as follows:
Moved: Ledbetter Second: Vutz Approval: Unanimous

No discussion. Reeves Property June 11 and June 19, 2008 7:00 p.m. at Township Building

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Commission continues to review Township historic ordinances. Meeting scheduled with Michel LeFevre, State Historical Commission, on June 16, 2008.

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Ms. Cohen asked Ms. Williams to take lead in developing green building ordinances for Township. Mr. Ledbetter advised that Ms. Cohen review the UCC by which the Township is bound before taking any action.

Resolution to be considered in Executive Session.

Extensive damage from deer in Pickering Preserve. There is a need to gather data from the Whitetail Association before taking any action.

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No discussion.

Township Manager attending meeting on June 5, 2008 to discuss DEP’s concerns with Valley Forge Sewer Authority’s plant expansion application.

VFNHP Steering Committee Meeting – no discussion

American Revolutionary Center Regional Planning– meeting scheduled for June 25, 2008

GVTMA– Ms. Cohen gave an update on the closed loop system. Implementation should be complete by January 2009. A status meeting is scheduled for next week. There will be a pedestrian crossing at Whitehorse Road; no pedestrian crossings will be created at Pawlings or Country Club Roads.

Landscapes Memo of Understanding– Mr. Ledbetter asked Township Manager to prepare copy of MOU with Solicitor’s edits incorporated for Board signature.

Review of Reeves Property– Mr. Ledbetter received a petition to add Reeves property to Regional Planning June 25, 2008 meeting docket. A motion to accept the KSK (Kise Straw & Kolodner) proposal for $4920.00 to review the Reeves property was approved as follows:
Moved: Ledbetter Second: Cohen
Approval: Cohen, Ledbetter, Morrisson, Vutz Dissent: Williams

Mr. Ledbetter advised that Pohlig should be notified of, and invited to, any site visit proposed by KSK. The Board concurred and recommended strongly that no site visit take place on the Reeves property without Pohlig being notified and invited. Mr. Ledbetter will speak with Liz Lankenau of KSK and ask her to coordinate activity with Township Manager and Pohlig.

Mr. Sugarman would like a list of documents being provided to KSK. The list should also be sent to Snyder and Regional Planning. Township Manager will prepare list by Friday, 6/6/08.

Potters Pond – Solicitor’s role to fully involve insurance company. Appeal still underway.

Royal Bank – no discussion

Pickering Glen– moving ahead to trial.

Levin Property– no discussion

Horseshoe Pointe– executed easement from Thornbury’s and forwarded to concerned parties. Recommend Gilmore set up pre-construction meeting.

Fire Suppression – preparing brief; should be filed next week. Response due within 30 days; Township reply within 15 days of receipt of response. Oral argument possibly in Fall 2008 before State Supreme Court.

RFP for Construction Inspection Services. Statements of Interest received from the following firms:
Pennoni Associates, Inc.– King of Prussia, PA
CMC Engineering– Kimberton, PA
Gilmore & Associates– Trappe, PA

The Township Manager and Mr. Ledbetter will review the Statements of Interest. Mr. Ledbetter to schedule meeting with Township Manager.

Ms. Williams requested that the Township Manager give her the insurance rates for School. It was mentioned that the Friends of Schuylkill School will be incorporating as a 501(c) charitable non-profit entity.

Application has been submitted to Yerkes. Yerkes will submit a non-compliance list. There is a need to comply with NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) in identifying all reasonable alternatives. The Valley Forge Sewer Authority comments should be incorporated within any Township response.

There are two (2) issues to consider – 1) environmental impact (NEPA) and 2) the Township’s Building/Zoning Codes. A significant environmental issue is with the cell tower’s fall zone with the Sewer Authority grounds and the possibility of a chemical spill.