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YOU NEED A PERMIT IN NOCKAMIXON

Minutes of Nockamixon Township
Board of Supervisors
October 26, 2005 Work Session 

The work session meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2005 was held at the Township building in Ferndale, PA. Chairman J. Litzenberger opened the meeting at 6:30 P.M. with a salute to the flag. Present were Supervisors H. Gawronski, B. Keyser and A. Santopietro, Cathy Gorman, Elaine Gawronski, Frances Tenney, Timothy and Katherine Throckmorton.

H. Gawronski advised the Board that the wings on the flag mount were broken due to the flags use at Community Day. It was the consensus of the Board to fix the flag mount.

J. Litzenberger called for an executive session at 6:34

J. Litzenberger reconvened meeting at 6:50. He announced that the executive session was to meet with Open Space members regarding Real Estate. J. Litzenberger made the motion to expend up to $2,200.00 on a land appraisal, A. Santopietro seconded, and motion carried 4-0-0.

Under New Business J. Litzenberger announced that Mr. Cleaver from the Department of Environmental Protection is scheduling a meeting regarding Korman Properties, and the Township was invited. It was the consensus of the Board to have the Township Solicitor and Engineer attend the meeting at Department of Environmental Protection’s office in Norristown on November 8, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. A. Santopietro advised the other Board members that he was told that the DEP permit for Nockamixon Crossing had expired in April of 2005. The Board requested that C. Gorman check with Bucks County Board of Health regarding the permit expiration.

Under New Business the Board began the review of the 2006 Budget. Frances Tenney requested that line item 400.70 (Land Purchases) be revised to say Land/Easement Purchases. For record purposes this line item is to be identified as land and easement purchases, this will also include the costs incurred in these purchases, i.e. appraisals, as stated in the Open Space referendum passed by the Board of Supervisors. The Board’s consensus was to change the wording to agree with the language of the referendum.

H. Gawronski requested to remove the donation amounts in 380 line items because they are not guaranteed revenue. He also requested that the Board approve an increase in the Community Day expenses to $12,000.00. He also noted that the Road Department needs a good used paver (6,000 – 8,000), an air brake trailer and a tar buggy with a pressurized system (4,000 – 5,000). Estimated costs for these items would be $17,000.00. A. Santopietro agreed to the need of these items, however felt that the Road Department Crew should be consulted as to their priority of equipment needed. He feels that the purchase of a new dump truck is a priority, keep the other as a secondary, dispose of the GMC, and they will still need another vehicle to be able to utilize. A. Santopietro expressed the need of purchasing an automatic vehicle so that employees without CDL licenses would be able to use it.

K. Gross arrived at 7:16 P.M.

It was suggested at this point to start from the beginning. K. Gross was advised of H. Gawronski’s recommendation to remove the Revenue of donations listed on the proposed budget. The Board made the consensus to remove the $2,450.00 from 380 Miscellaneous Revenue.

J. Litzenberger stated that the interest amount may change drastically too depending on when a land purchase may be made.

The revenue for Community Day Donations, along with the other donations, was removed. Discussions ensued regarding rain postponements and refunds of deposits. It will be discussed when the Community Day Committee reconvenes and this will be noted when agreements and contracts are made.

Administration

J. Litzenberger requested that the Board increase the Newsletter to $5,000.00. He has heard that residents are not satisfied with the timing and pricing of the new newsletter, advertisers are claiming it is too expensive, and that it does not come out in a timely fashion. C. Gorman noted that not all the committees submit their articles which delays printing. A. Santopietro also stated that if they do not sell enough ads to cover the costs delays printing. J. Litzenberger thought that if we buy software we could publish the newsletter internally. It was a consensus of the Board to increase this line item by $4,000.00 to a total of $5,000.00.

Board discussed budgeting for salary increases. J. Litzenberger advised that the Social Security calculates at 4.10%. He also informed the Board that in calculating rates from beginning of the year it would be higher. The Board made a consensus to increase the budget amounts for all employees for a 4% increase. They excluded the Zoning Officer because this position retains the highest hourly rate and was given permission to increase his hours as he see fit at the October 18, 2005 Board of Supervisors meeting.

The Board requested that C. Gorman check into and HMO or Aetna insurance.

It was the Board’s position to keep the line item amount the same, but check to see if there are other options.

Capital Purchases – C. Gorman advised the Board that the $3,500.00 was for filing cabinets for the back room. K. Gross inquired about getting a phone system that includes voice mail. After some deliberation the Board requested that the Secretary call J&B Communications for an estimate. E. Gawronski noted that if the expenditure is over $4,000.00 or more you need to bid.

Legal – C. Gorman advised the Board that the special counsel line item was for the Cable Franchise Tax attorney. The Board approved.

Township Clerk – K. Gross noted that the bonding for the notary should be listed.

Engineering – K. Gross noted that the contracted professionals’ business identities should be omitted from the budget. The Board agreed to increase to $45,000.00 totaling $50,000.00. B. Keyser said that he is interested in seeing if we could have an engineer present at the Board of Supervisors meeting. He made reference to Prime Properties presentation at the October meeting and felt that it would have been in the Township’s best interest if an engineer were present.

Buildings – No Change

Fire Co – No Change

Building Inspector – C. Gorman advised the Board that the same amount in expenditures is also listed in revenue. An inquiry was made as to why the amount dropped by so much. E. Gawronski reminded the Board that the costs were budgeted high because of the Palisades addition.

Planning/Zoning – J. Litzenberger requested why the amount for supplies was kept so high since we did not spend that much. It was commented that the funding would be used for the re-codification. C. Gorman noted that there was funding allotted for the re-codification and balance required for the Recreation Plan under 414.33. Board made consensus not to change.

Emergency Management - Increase in communications due to the DSL installation and phone upgrades EMA requested. C. Gorman also advised the Board that historically the Emergency Management Coordinators cell phone was budgeted and paid for out of the Highway Dept. and that it may be beneficial for it to be broken out. The Board increased the communication expenditure an additional $500.00 for the balance of EMA expenditures to be $5,500.00.

Highway –

J. Litzenberger advised we should increase gasoline by $1,000.00. Bidding requirements may be required. He advised C. Gorman to call PSATS to question. After much deliberation as to the needs of the Roads Department, it was the consensus of the Board to increase major capital purchase to $65,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing a Dump Truck and to add $20,000.00 for minor capital purchases for the items that H. Gawronski listed at the beginning of the meeting. It was noted that if the funding from the Federal and State governments come in for the expenses related to the Kintner Hill project, then money can be deferred at that time. J. Litzenberger requested that the office check into the regulations of doing a transfer. No issues with the winter and State Fund expenditures.

Culture/Recreation –

K. Gross requested that the Park Capital line be moved to be below the general fund expenditures. E. Gawronski suggested that it be noted at Culture and Recreation to identify the donations to be under this category. H. Gawronski also mentioned the need to put an outdoor electrical outlet on the building at the Park and that it should not cost more than $100.00 to $200.00. H. Gawronski stated again the need to increase the Community Day Expenditures to $12,000.00. Board requested estimated expenditures to be adjusted to reflect actual estimated costs for park expenses.

Conservation –

J. Litzenberger question why we have funding for BNT Groundwater. C. Gorman and E. Gawronski advised that Mr. Stanfield occasionally comes in with expenses. K. Gross stated that he is required to get Board approval before he can expend any funds. T. Stone requested that the Gallows Run line item remain in case he needs funding. The Board agreed to increase the education line item by $500.00.

Insurances – The fire company workman’s compensation needed to be realigned. C. Gorman advised the Board that CBDI stated to budget for a 20% increase although they were not sure as to how much it would go up. The Board requested that C. Gorman contact CBDI and request rate comparison information between what the Township offers and an HMO.

A. Santopietro motioned to advertise to present the proposed 2006 budget with the requested changes at the next public meeting, the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 15, 2005. H. Gawronski seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0-0.

 C. Gorman requested that she needed a consensus from the Board to fill out and submit a questionnaire required to join with Bucks County Planning Commission Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Board made the consensus to move forward with the Bucks County Planning Commission to do the plan and to have T. Macfarlan as the point of contact. If he was unable to attend one of the four meetings then C. Gorman should attend to fulfill the requirement. The resolution required by Bucks County Planning Commission will be represented to the Board for their approval at the November 15, 2005 meeting.

 A motion was made by A. Santopietro seconded by H. Gawronski to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 P.M. Motion carried 5-0-0.

 Respectfully Submitted

 Cathy Gorman
Secretary/Treasurer