NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP

OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE

November 27, 2006

Minutes

 

Attendees:


Nancy Alessi

Lori Gaul – Co-Chair

Elaine Gawronski

Bob Hansen

Elsie McHale

Todd Stone

Sanci Tenney – Co-Chair

 


Nancy Janyszeski Supervisor Liaison

 

 

Open Session Meeting Call to Order: The meeting was convened by the co-chairs at 7:10PM.

 

Administrative:

 

Minutes - The Minutes of the September 25 and October 23, 2006 meetings were approved with amendments under motion by T. Stone.

 

Membership - Possible new committee members, the importance of member attendance at meetings and 12/31/06 term expirations were discussed with letters of renewal/ interest to be sent to the Township.

 

Stephen Small Books – K. Throckmorton to follow-up with Tinicum Conservancy for the additional 2 sets (3 requested) for distribution to interested residents.

 

Old Business:

 

  • Field Trip - The committee will visit township owned and preserved properties in the spring of 2007.

 

  • Property Tax Freeze for Preserved Land – A topic of ongoing discussion. While the State approved property tax freeze for those who elect to preserve their land, the County has approved a tax freeze for preserved agricultural land. Approval for any property tax freeze is needed by the Municipality, with final approval by the School Board to be effective. A copy of Springfield’s ordinance has been received. The OSC will continue to report to the BOS and recommend preparation of a Township ordinance or resolution at its December meeting.

 

  • Act 319 – Next steps tabled to January 2007. The State tax abatement program was instituted in 1973 by PA Constitutional Amendment as a method to assess agricultural land differently. The program was enhanced in 1974 and named “Clean and Green” and later further enhanced to become a forest management plan. It was the consensus to provide a copy of the program to land owners as another method in conserving natural resources.

 

 

New Business:

 

  • Guidelines update/County funds/ Planning for 2007 – The guidelines for easements were reviewed, with an update to add additional approved land appraisers. Municipal funds are no longer available to the township as the program has expired and the Township was unable to find appropriate use of its remaining allotment. Additional funding may become available; however, details are unknown at this time.
  • Planning for 2007 – Discussion continued for topics and sites for 2007 OSC public events. Ideas included: a repeat of the 2005 educational forum; a mailing for Act 319; a lemonade social at the site of a preserved property, etc. Discussion will continue.

 

  • 2007 Budget – email to be sent to BOS re: The Township budget for 2007:
    Revenues (Line 16 EIT) includes revenue receipts of $190,000 from the EIT referendum revenues. YTD projected for 2006 reflects $158,755.73 in expected receipts.
    Expenditures
    - Line 113 Land Purchase, 2006 budget reflected $400,000 with Proposed 2007 as -0-
    - Line 114 Open Space Land/Easement Purchases – 2006 reflected as -0- and proposed 2007 as $290,000.

    This creates a need for clarification and recommendation to the BOS to revisit these amounts. If line 114 is meant to include EIT receipts, the total should be, at a minimum, $348,755.73 given the revenue numbers above. Proposed easements would utilize this amount.

    By reducing Land Purchase to -0-, this does not allow the Township, nor give it the flexibility to purchase appropriate land for either open space or its own use. A more realistic amount, as in prior years’ $3-400,000 range, should be considered to reflect Township stated goals.

 

  • Easement Documentation Review – The OSC received documentation of an existing easement to review and determine responsibility areas of any needed annual inspection.

 

  • Other – T. Stone reported on the upcoming 537 Plan Update.

 

 

Team Reports:

 

  • Documentation /Review – under new business.

 

  • Marketing and Public Relations – A letter of inquiry was proposed to be sent to a landowner. K.Throckmorton submitted an Open Space article for the GRWA newsletter. A draft OSC brochure remains “in the works”.

 

  • “ Sales” – Additional information continues to be gathered to assist the landowner in selecting a land trust/conservancy.

 

Executive Session Discussion included easement applications and prospective updates.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:25PM.

 

Next committee meeting Monday January 22, 2007at 7:00PM. This will be the last 2006 business meeting. Reorganization meeting Monday, January 29, 2007

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sanci Tenney