Duly advertised in The Pottstown Mercury and posted at www.schuylkilltwp.com and www.phoenixvillepatch.com
CALL TO ORDER: The public meeting was called to order by Mrs. Cohen at 6:00 PM.
ATTENDANCE: Mrs. Barbara Cohen-Chair, Mr. Norman Vutz-Vice Chair, Mr. Fred Parry-Treasurer, Mr. Jim Morrisson. Mrs. Laurie Williams arrived late.
STAFF: Mary Bird-Township Manager; Madeline Harbison-Township Secretary, Nick Cinciripino-Roadmaster
COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS: Bob Mauch-Chair, Open Space Commission; Sandy Momyer-Chair, Historical Commission; Jerry O’Dell-Environmental Advisory Council.
One (1) resident, Mr. Kevin Handforth, was in attendance.
Pledge of Allegiance
BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS
General Obligation Note to Finance the Township’s Open Space Initiative
Mr. Vutz asked why the vote on the note was being delayed. Mr. Mauch responded that the Conservation Easement for the Pickering Valley Golf Club would close in the first quarter of 2012 rather than December 2011. This short delay will allow more time to negotiate a better term sheet with the bank issuing the note.
Motion. On motion by Mr. Morrisson, seconded by Mr. Vutz and passed 4-0-0, the Board approved the advertisement of an Ordinance to authorize the issuance of a General Obligation Note in a not to exceed amount of two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($2,700,000.00) to finance the Township’s Open Space Initiative. Ms. Williams was not present for this vote.
Time Extension for Performance under the Agreement for the Sale of Development Rights with the Thompson Family.
Mr. Morrisson summarized the Thompson Family property conservation easement agreement process to date and explained that this second extension amendment would allow additional time for meeting all the contingencies of the agreement.
Motion. On motion by Mr. Morrisson, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed 4-0-0, the Board approved the Second Amendment to Agreement for the Sale of Development Rights (“Agreement”) between the Thompson Family (“Sellers”) and Schuylkill Township (“Buyer”) in which the Closing Date in Section 5(A) of the Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment to the Agreement, is extended until on or before February 15, 2012 with a provision that if the conditions and contingencies of the Agreement have not been met by February 15, 2012, this outside date shall be extended until all conditions and contingencies are met with a final extension date of March 30, 2012 at which time, if conditions and contingencies of the Agreement have not been met, Sellers or Buyers may terminate the Agreement by written notice to other parties. Ms. Williams was not present for this vote.
Letter of Support for the Nomination of a Commemorative Roadside Marker for the Valley Forge General Hospital
Mr. Morrisson asked if the township would be taking on any financial obligation regarding the roadside marker. Mrs. Cohen responded no, it was simply to show support for the Phoenixville Area Historical Society’s nomination
Motion. On motion by Mrs. Cohen, seconded by Mr. Parry and passed 4-0-0, the Board approved sending a letter of support for the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area’s nomination of the Valley Forge General Hospital for a Commemorative Roadside Marker through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Ms. Williams was not present for this vote.
Letter of Opposition to Pennsylvania House Bill 1950.
Motion. On motion by Mr. Morrisson, seconded by Mr. Vutz and passed 4-0-0, the Board approved sending a letter of opposition to Pennsylvania House Bill 1950 (“Bill”) to the attention of Pennsylvania State Representative Warren Kampf and Governor Thomas Corbett stating that although HB 1950 provides for a local impact fee for municipalities located within the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, the Bill will possibly, through Section 3272, supersede and preempt all local rules, regulations, codes, agreements, resolutions, ordinances and other local enactments that regular oil and gas operations. Ms. Williams was not present for this vote
2012 Draft Budget-Expenditures
The Treasurer, Mr. Parry, opened the budget discussion with the announcement that the township would not be raising taxes for the fourth year in a row while still maintaining the level of services township residents have come to expect. Mr. Parry asked that during the review of the proposed 2012 budget, his fellow Board members consider how to make the township more efficient while controlling expenses and to identify what is needed versus what is wanted. Mr. Parry added that the township will be creating a three-year plan to incorporate long-range economic factors into its future budgets. Mr. Parry closed by stating that he would be asking the Board to approve the advertising of the proposed 2012 budget and requested a date be set for final approval of the proposed 2012 budget.
Ms. Williams arrived at 6:15 p.m.
01.400.1100 – Salaries of Elected Officials Ms. Williams moved to zero this line item and have the Board of Supervisors serve without compensation in 2012. The motion was not seconded.
Mr. Vutz explained that it was illegal according to the Second Class Township Code to make any changes to compensation for elected officials after an election. Any proposed changes must be made prior to the municipal primary in order that candidates know under what circumstances they are running.
01.400.3110 – Accounting & Auditing The Township Manager explained that this budget line item was increased from $2,500.00 to $12,500.00 to allow for an independent audit by a Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) over and above the standard yearly audit by the Board of Auditors. Mrs. Bird said that with the financial requirements for the township’s open space transactions, the township is being asked for more robust financial reporting than the normal requirements of the state. The Open Space Commission has recommended and requested an independent audit of the township by a CPA for the next two fiscal years and then biennially thereafter. Mr. Morrisson asked the Township Manager to investigate whether the cost of the audit would be considered an open space loan expense and subsequently charged against open space funds.
01.405.1400 – Salaries – Clerical Staff Ms. Williams stated that she was concerned about the 3.8% increase for township staff included in the budget because the staff should consider themselves lucky to have jobs and said she wanted the line item reduced to zero. Mrs. Cohen responded that she, as the Administration liaison, had reviewed the figures with the Township Manager and was in agreement with the numbers being proposed. Mrs. Bird added that the township office staff has been reduced by 25% through attrition with no loss in efficiency or production and that this 25% savings is reflected in the budget.
Motion. Ms. Williams moved to reduce the budgeted increase for township staff from 3.8% to 2.0%. The motion was not seconded.
01.408.3111 – Trail Development – Ms. Williams questioned the amount of money spent to date in 2011 for the Toonerville Trolley Trail project. Mrs. Bird responded that 2011 engineering costs to date for the Toonerville Trolley Trail project were $2,920.00 and that the 2012 budget trail development line item had been reduced from $25,000 to $12,500 due to changes in the scope of certain development projects.
Ms. Williams announced the formation of a group called People for Playgrounds and Parks which will be working to create a playground on Meadowbrook Golf Club grounds. Ms. Williams stated this group included Dr. Fegley of the Phoenixville Area School District, Mr. E. Jean Krack of the Borough of Phoenixville, Mr. Terrence Ferrell, Chester County Commissioner and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and wanted funding included in the township 2012 budget to support this group’s efforts. Ms. Williams instructed the Township Manager to contact Limerick Township to inquire what that municipality spent to create Manderach Park. Ms. Williams stated she would also be seeking township funding for a traffic light on Pothouse Road for a walking trail to the proposed playground and asked what the cost would be. Mrs. Bird responded that the cost for a standard traffic signal is +/- $100,000.00 and would have to be approved by PennDOT.
Ms. Williams made a motion to name a liaison to the YMCA, Phoenixville Area School District, the Borough of Phoenixville and the DVRPC to promote People for Playgrounds and Parks. Mrs. Cohen responded that this was the first the Board has heard of this group or any proposed playground in Meadowbrook Golf Club, and that more information would be needed before any consideration could be given to this subject. Discussion ensued; Ms. Williams withdrew her motion.
01.409.3770 & 01.409.3780 – Generators Municipal Bldg & Roads Dept. Mrs. Bird informed the Board that the total for these two budget line items will be reduced from $55,500.00 to about $42,500 based on initial estimates received that day. Mr. Parry added that further investigation is needed before any generator purchase can be considered. Mr. Parry suggested that Mr. Morrisson head up a generator research committee consisting of the Roadmaster, Township Manager, Chief of Police and Emergency Management Coordinator. Mr. Morrisson agreed to form and head this committee.
01.430.xxxx – Roads Department – Discussion ensued between Ms. Williams and Mr. Cinciripino regarding various line items in the proposed Roads Department budget, last year’s salary increases and other topics. Mr. Parry interjected, stating that all department heads had been involved in the 2012 budgeting process with the Township Manager and himself, and that the current discussion was getting off track. Mrs. Cohen reminded the Board that a limited time was allotted for tonight’s meeting due to another meeting scheduled immediately after the budget meeting. Ms. Williams disagreed, stating she was not off track. Mr. Vutz replied that she indeed was. Ms. Williams responded to Mr. Vutz with the comment “F**k you.” Mr. Vutz asked if she wanted that comment recorded in the minutes. Ms. Williams answered affirmatively.
Summary Mr. Parry commented that the township had a good solid proposed budget in place. He reiterated that the township was maintaining service levels with no increase in taxes to its residents and that this is what the Board members were elected to do – provide needed services to residents. Mrs. Cohen remarked that residents to whom she spoke during her recent campaign were happy with township services.
Ms. Williams commented that on Election Day, voters were polled on whether Schuylkill Township Board meetings should be televised and it appeared most responses were affirmative. Mr. Parry added that the second part of that was residents were also concerned about the cost of doing this. Mr. Parry went on to say that the option of televised meetings was being researched but the township will not incur exorbitant costs to accomplish this, and there must be a consensus of the Board to move ahead. Mr. Vutz stated that the Township Manager has investigated airing township meetings on numerous occasions and looked at many different options but to date there has been no fiscally feasible way to televise meetings. Mr. Vutz said the Board should continue to explore the possibilities. Mrs. Bird added that a former supervisor always said that government is participatory, and watching a meeting from home with no input to the proceedings is not participating in the process.
Motion. On motion by Mr. Parry, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed 5-0-0, the Board approved the advertising of the proposed 2012 Schuylkill Township Budget for final public comment and Board approval on December 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Hall.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. on motion by Mr. Vutz, seconded by Mrs. Cohen and passed 5-0-0.
Next Board of Supervisors’ Meeting :
Regular Business Meeting: December 7, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
Final Budget Meeting: December 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Madeline M. Harbison
Township Secretary