PRESENT: Norman Vutz, Chair, Lee Ledbetter: Jim Morrisson, Laurie Williams, William Brennan, Township Solicitor, Mary Bird, Township Manager
Mrs. Laurie Williams was delayed due to work commitments.
ABSENT: Barbara Cohen, Vice Chair. Ms. Cohen was unable to attend due to a personal commitment.
No Township residents were in attendance
7:30 PM Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
The Conditional Use Hearing for applicant EDC Property Company’s 3 acre holding located to the east of Township Line Road and to the west of Route 23 and Schuylkill Township (Parcel No. 27-2-56) was formally opened. The proceedings were recorded by Court Reporter Colleen Pimer. The applicant was requesting (1) a conditional use pursuant to Section 1925.C of the Zoning Ordinance to build a 13,875 square foot addition to the existing building on the property in order to accommodate the demands of its business, (2) a conditional use pursuant to Section 1103.C(10, as amended in Ordinance 2006-04, to build an internal on-site drive aisle which will provide access to a truck turn around area which is within fifty (50) feet of the Flood Hazard District, and (3) a conditional use pursuant to Section 1103.C(2), as amended in Ordinance 2006-04, to build a stormwater management system endwall measuring not more than sixty (60) square feet in area on the exposed side thereof within zero (0) feet of the Flood Hazard District. The representatives for EDC Property were Ms. Kristin S. Camp of Buckley, Brion, McGuire, Mottis & Sommer LLP, Mr. Kevin Mohn, Civil Engineer, Systems Design Engineering, Inc. and Mr. Scott Rowland, owner of EDC Property Company.
8:04 PM The EDC Property Company Conditional Use Hearing was closed.
8:06 PM A motion was made to grant the three (3) conditional uses requested by The EDC Property Company, (1) a conditional use pursuant to Section 1925.C of the Zoning Ordinance to build a 13,875 square foot addition to the existing building on the property in order to accommodate the demands of its business, (2) a conditional use pursuant to Section 1103.C(10, as amended in Ordinance 2006-04, to build an internal on-site drive aisle which will provide access to a truck turn around area which is within fifty (50) feet of the Flood Hazard District, and (3) a conditional use pursuant to Section 1103.C(2), as amended in Ordinance 2006-04, to build a stormwater management system endwall measuring nor more than sixty (60) square feet in area on the exposed side thereof within zero (0) feet of the Flood Hazard District:
Moved: Vutz Second: Ledbetter Approval: Ledbetter, Morrisson, Vutz
8:07 PM Approval of Minutes: Mr. Ledbetter remarked on some concerns with the way the meeting minutes were presented and asked for input on how to better reduce any confusion on the recording of the minutes. The Board will initiate a policy of recapping any motions made after the discussion period in order to have a clear record of Board business.
A motion to approve the minutes of the September 3, 2008 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting and the September 25, 2008 Workshop #1 was made.
Moved: Ledbetter Second: Vutz Approval: Ledbetter, Morrisson, Vutz
8:15 PM Mr. Brennan requested an Executive Session.
8:36 PM The public meeting was reconvened. Mr. Brennan reported that various legal matters were discussed concerning the proposed CitySwitch cellular tower in the Norfolk-Suffolk train ROW. A motion to follow up with appropriate litigation in the CitySwitch matter was made.
Moved: Vutz Second: Ledbetter Approval: Ledbetter, Morrisson, Vutz
With the permission of the Board, Mr. Brennan excused himself from the remainder of the meeting.
Roads: Graham Road: Mr. Morrisson is to meet with the residents of Graham Road regarding repaving. Mr. Cinciripino reported that the cost for base course and top coating of the road would be about $23,500.00; the supplier said milling was not necessary. Mr. Ledbetter asked if this figure was final and if the cost would be split 50/50 with the Graham Road residents taking back the road after repaving. Mr. Morrisson said the residents were asking for a 75/25 or 80/20 split and residents would take back the road. Mr. Vutz said that residents taking back the road should not be a negotiating point; they have to take it back.
Road Projects: Jug Hollow and Clothier Springs: A motion to approve advertising to bid the Jug Hollow Road liner (100 year fix) and the Clothier Springs Road culvert (30 year fix) projects was made. These projects were engineered by Gilmore & Associates.
Moved: Vutz Second: Ledbetter Approval: Ledbetter, Morrisson, Vutz
8:50 PM Mrs. Williams arrived.
Estimates for Base Repair: Mr. Cinciripino reported that the estimate for mill and fill is about $65,000. Ms. Bird and Mr. Cinciripino stated that there was money left in the 2008 budget to do some repair this year. A motion to make base repairs on Jug Hollow, Davis, Oakwood and Colonial Springs Roads was made.
Moved: Ledbetter Second: Vutz Approval: Unanimous
Budget: The Road Department budget was discussed. The possibility of hiring a part-time worker to open the yard waste recycling center was raised. Monies to cover this expenditure could be taken from the DEP 902 grant monies. It was then suggested that the Recycling Yard part-time salary be broken out from the Roads Department salary line. Mr. Ledbetter said it should be split 50/50--$7,500.00 for each part-time salary line item.
Mr. Ledbetter then noted that the roads budget appeared to be flat from 2008 to 2009 on every line item with the exception of fuel. Mr. Morrisson asked if any consideration had been given to natural gas vehicles as an alternative. Mr. Cinciripino stated that start-up costs to convert were prohibitive. Mr. Ledbetter informed Mr. Morrisson that the advantage to natural gas power is less pollution, not cost savings.
The new budget line item, Tree Removal, was discussed. The current figure of $5,000.00 may need to be adjusted. Ms. Bird asked if $7,500.00 is a better number. Mr. Cinciripino said it possibly would be due to the preventative dead tree removal program being considered for Right of Ways in the Township. It is currently being proposed to do one road a year. The private contractor currently being used by the Roads Department has given a good price for the work--$1,200.00 for the removal of 3-4 trees. Mr. Vutz requested that Ms. Bird change the tree removal budget line amount to $7,500.00.
Mr. Cinciripino then discussed the 5 Year Plan for replacement of stop signs, speed limit signs and street signs. The stop signs replacement is completed. The speed limit signs and street signs have to be changed to high-intensity specifications with 6-inch letters. This is mandated by Federal regulations. The signs will be replaced over the next three years with one-third of the total being replaced each year.
Next Budget Workshop: A motion to hold Budget Workshop No. 3 on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the Township Building was made.
Moved: Ledbetter Second: Vutz Approval: Unanimous
Police Pension Plan Resolution A motion to approve a Resolution reducing police officers’ contribution to the Police Pension Plan for the Year 2009 was made.
.Moved: Ledbetter Second: Vutz Approval: Unanimous
9:52 PM There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made.
Moved: Vutz Second: Ledbetter Approval: Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Madeline M. Harbison
Assistant Township Secretary