Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, PA

Open Space Committee

Minutes of January 24, 2011

Members Present

Nancy Alessi Robert Hansen Sanci Tenney

Ellen Chapman Harry McGarrity Gary Westerfer

Robert Frank Elsie McHale

Supervisor Liaison: Bruce Keyser

Call to Order: 7:04 PM

Administrative Business

• Chapman and Alessi elected co-chairs. (Hansen motion, Westerfer second.) Hansen reelected Secretary. All OSC incumbents have been reappointed by BOS.
• Minutes of November 22, 2010 approved unanimously.
• Open Space funds: Chapman reported continuing discrepancy in Twp and OSC records--$5570 as of end 2010. Itemization by the Treasurer is needed for 2009-10 regarding the Fleck easement. Keyser will raise with Treasure. Tenney said this should be topic of OSC/BOS work session.

Old Business

• PALTA membership: has been denied by BOS as part of freeze on funding to committees. Tenney observed that fee is for services to the twp not the OSC. Keyser suggested we seek to use OS funds to pay fee.
• OSC Ordinance/work session: Change from resolution to ordinance needed to clarify OSC/BOS relations and procedures (e.g. roles of two in coordinated communication with easement applicants) and future of the committee. Agreed a work session is needed with Board on this. Chapman would like BOS schedule of work sessions to aid planning. Keyser will seek work session for OSC, but he urges all members speak on issue at session.
• Morning Call request for OS information: Chapman has received BOS response.
• Twp OS Plan: Chapman emailed to OSC members Dec 16; provides clear guide to easement priorities.
• GRWA/Artists for Conservation: need to ask GRWA to set up escrow terms.

On-going Business:

• Easement Package: Westerfer rewrite and Tenney spreadsheet to be ready for next meeting.
• Website: Frank reports it is complete except for OS map; Frank and Alessi will consolidate data. OSC minutes are on site.

New Business:

• Easement File: Alessi utilizing LANDEX data where available. Still needs final recorded deeds.
• Easement Monitoring: Chapman suggests we should seek to use EIT/OS funds to hire a conservancy to monitor Twp easements on Karr, Asplundh and Gorham properties. Committee agrees we should get input from other townships’ practices regarding use of EIT funds for this purpose. Westerfer will check with Tinicum; Chapman Bedminster; Tenney Springtown. Keyser agrees to raise in BOS.

Executive Session: 8:50-9:43 PM.

Meeting adjourned; 9:43 PM

Respectively submitted

Robert W Hansen, Secretary

Next Meeting February 24, 2011 at 7 PM.