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MINUTES OF NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

NOVEMBER 20, 2007

The regular scheduled meeting for November was held on November 20, 2007 in the Township building in Ferndale, PA. Chairman J. Litzenberger opened the meeting at 7:05 PM with a salute to the flag. Other members present: Supervisors H. Gawronski, B. Keyser and N. Janyszeski. Vice Chairman K. Gross was absent. Solicitor, T. Clemons, and Township Engineer S. Baluh were also in attendance.

SCHEDULING:
The following meetings were omitted from the monthly schedule: Open Space Committee Monday, November 26, 2007 @ 7:00 PM and Park & Recreation Board, Tuesday, November 27, 2007 @ 7:00 PM. No office hours would be held by Rep. Quinn’s office on Wednesday, November 21, 2007. Next scheduled date is Wednesday, December 5, 2007 from 9:00 AM to Noon. The Board referred to the Holiday Party. J. Litzenberger addressed the Supervisor candidates on their campaigns and congratulated the winner, A. Santopietro.

MINUTES OF MEETING:
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to approve the October 16, 2007 minutes as presented. The motion carried 4-0-0. The minutes for the November 13, 2007 Budget work session were not available.

REQUEST TO BE ON THE AGENDA:
A. Tina Eisenhart – PMRS. T. Eisenhart thanked the Board for allowing her to give this presentation and commented that PA Municipal Retirement System (PMRS) administers the Township non-uniformed employees retirement funds and explained how fund investments are handled, and how they can be distributed. The Board took the information for review.

B. P. Keyser – Request for funding – 4th Grade Class Trip – Due to a scheduling conflict, P. Keyser was heard later in the meeting.

C. S. Donovan or T. Stone – BNTCWMC – Letter of Support – S. Donovan requested that the Board of Supervisors send a letter of support for the Special Protection Waters of the Lower Delaware. It was the consensus of the Board to have the Secretary send a letter of support. The letter was available for J. Litzenberger’s signature.

D. G. Reid – Clear Cutting of Trees on Fink Drive – G. Reid requested clarification for the cutting of trees along Fink Drive and that it was included in the Park View Estates Plan. S. Baluh commented that the cutting was required for the driveway entrances and for the installation of stormwater pipe along this portion of Fink Drive. Under Township ‘street tree requirements’, a row of trees will be planted back from the right-of-way of the road. The Board will take this in to consideration when reviewing plans. G. Reid also requested that the surrounding neighbors be notified if blasting will occur during the construction of homes. It was noted that this is contained in the agreements signed by the Developer and that there are state requirements that have to be met. J. Gartner commented that neighbors will be notified prior to any blasting.

J. Litzenberger thanked the committees for providing reports prior to the meeting.

REPORTS:

1. ROAD REPORT – A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to accept the October 2007 Road Report as presented. The motion carried 4-0-0.

 
B. Zoning Report – P. Bent gave a short report to the Board. He has done a site visit and a final report for the Reidler property will be forthcoming. Two permits have been received for the Park View Estates property (Lots #4 & #8). He discussed several other permits including Veteran’s Park and A&A Tile. He requested Board approval for the placement of the storage building. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to approve the Veteran’s Park site plan as presented and that the Board will approve where the storage trailer will be relocated. The motion carried 4-0-0.

C. Emergency Management Report – Member E. Mocarsi was in attendance. A. Morales commented that the Insurance Company has been contacted with regard to the EMA Junior Member and advised that she had not spoken with the representative regarding the job description. Emergency Management submitted a job description to the Township for review. T. Clemons noted an evaluation would have to be done in order to make a decision. The Board will discuss at the December meeting. A. Morales will confirm information with the insurance company. The discussion continued regarding the incident that occurred at the High School. EMA requested use of the Township Building on November 29, 2007. The Board approved.

D. Environmental Advisory Committee – Chair, J. Petersen was in attendance. He discussed the Christman property and that they would like to have M. Gallagher of P-Hydro attend the meeting. The Board requested the following in writing from the committee: the name of the consultant; the hourly rate charged; the anticipated number of hours they will be attending, the best time to have the consultant in house and a letter of confirmation from the consultant. T. Clemons commented that the Board should consider requests on a case by case basis, that costs should not exceed a certain amount and that perhaps a report would be sufficient.

E. Open Space Committee – N. Alessi, Co-Chair was in attendance. She commented that an Open Space project may be submitted prior to year end requiring Board approval. The Committee presented their recommendation to conduct a joint meeting of Township committees, the Board, and Palisades School officials to discuss various concerns and to share information regarding water sustainability. The Board requested that the Committee compile an agenda of topics to be discussed.

F. Park & Recreation Board – Chairman T. Keebler attended the meeting. B. Naska requested permission from the Board to plant bulbs at Veteran’s Park, Rapp Creek Park, the Memorial at the foot of Church Hill and Township Building. H. Nast offered daffodils to the Township. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to expend up to $125.00 for bulbs to plant at Veteran’s Park and the Township Building. The motion carried 4-0-0. B. Naska and the Board discussed the Gorham barn and eligibility for placement on the Historical list. Depending on the type of repairs to the building, it may compromise the Historical value. B. Naska explained what could be accomplished including repairing the doors/doorways, roof and windows.

A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by B. Keyser, to move forward with the repairs by the Park & Recreation Board, T. Keebler will head the project and all volunteers will answer to him. All changes, additions, modifications, improvements and maintenance will be done in the best possible way to maintain the original barn. Communicate with Buildings & Grounds Supervisor B. Keyser. T. Keebler requested that the Board consider an amount for repairs.

N. Janyszeski amended her motion, seconded by B. Keyser, to include $1,500.00 for the repairs. The motion carried 4-0-0. The Park & Recreation Board would like to clear away the brush near the trolley trestle on the Revere Chemical Site. S. Baluh commented that even though it is located outside the fence, the Revere Steering Committee should be contacted. He will talk to them. It was the consensus of the Board that the Steering Committee be contacted and if they are in favor of brush removal, the Board approves.

G. Community Day – C. Hall, Chair, was in attendance. The Board reviewed and accepted the Final Report for Community Day.

H. Newsletter – N. Alessi commented that the last date to submit articles is Tuesday, January 8, 2008 for printing in February 2008. J. Litzenberger commented that Board Reorganization is Monday, January 7, 2008.  

I. Treasurer’s Report –
Permission to pay all bills on the bill list 11/2007.

As per the instruction of the Board, a w-9 was sent to Stanley N. Booz, LLC the CPA for the Township in 2006, he returned the letter stating no payments received and is not returning calls or the completed form.

NEW ACCOUNT – The Road Department has requested a charge account be opened at Fisher’s Ace hardware for supplies such as gas cans, paints, hardware, plumbing, small tools and accessories, etc. The request came from G. Housworth, Road Master for the Township. The application requests information such as bank name, account number, and (2) credit references (which they have). The net is the 25th of each month. An e-mail was sent on October 18, 2007 regarding this request.

The Board discussed the request to open an account for Fisher’s Ace Hardware and Harbor Freight. A signed Purchase Order is required to obtain items from Harbor Freight and The Board agreed to continue with this practice. The Board tabled discussion regarding the Fisher’s Ace Hardware account until J. Litzenberger can contact the Township Auditors.

STATE FUND – Liquid Fuels – we received the annual ACT655 letter from PennDOT outlining the 2008 estimated liquid fuels allocation in the amount of $136,471.62, these funds should be received on or about April 2, 2008.

2008 BUDGET – Review final changes and advertise for Public Inspection of the 2008 Budget.

EMPLOYEES – Motion to renew Health Coverage Contract with CBDI – 1/1/2008-1/9/2009 increase of $719.16 per month totaling a monthly payment of $6,347.29.

A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to continue the Health Coverage Contract with CBDI. The motion carried 4-0-0.

PENSION – The third quarter (PMRB-21) of contributions were filed and returned.
Township has received the 2007 Allocation of Excess Interest forms for both uniformed and non-uniformed pension plans. Non-uniformed is to receive a specific award in the amount of $11,665.97 and the non-uniformed pension plan is to receive a specific aware in the amount of $1,951.43. These forms must be returned to PMRS by 11/21/07.

We have $ 15,131.35 left in the Checking account after payment of bills and transfers.
We have $108,991.58 left in the Escrow account after bills and releasing funds.
We have $  9,987.00 left in the Community Day account after payment of bills.
We have $ 45,138.11 in the Park and Recreation Grant account after transfers.

A. Morales requested a motion to transfer $16,660.00 from the Park and Recreation account to the General Fund to cover the cost of the fencing as outlined in the Bill List check #9114, #9084 and #9115.

A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by B. Keyser, to transfer $16,660.00 from the Park & Rec Fund to the General Fund. The Board and T. Keebler discussed the ten foot gate that needed to be installed for access by Emergency vehicles. The motion carried 4-0-0.

A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion carried 4-0-0.

A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to accept the Bill List as presented and to include the $80.00 bill for 40 chairs to Ace Hardware.
The motion carried 4-0-0.
 

PUBLIC COMMENT:
-S. Mendelson commented that when the Board is discussing the monthly reports, that the public does not have the information. In order to encourage people to attend meetings they should be available to the public. T. Clemons suggested that reports be posted for public review prior to the meeting. It was the consensus of the Board to post copies in a folder on the table in the foyer.
-A. Balogh commented that she is familiar with the Gorham property and the barn. She noted the stain-glass windows, structural problems, and the integrity of the building. Serious consideration should be taken when repairs are made since this could have historical integrity.

-P. Keyser presented the request for a donation for the 4th Grade Class Trip to Harrisburg. Durham Township has also been approached and may not be willing to pay for one-half of the trip. The Board wanted to know if the School Board has been approached and would they pay for this trip. P. Keyser is proposing as a service that the Township would offer to the children at this grade level every year. J. Litzenberger commented that the Township could send money to the School District and have them earmark it for class trips. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to expend up to $800.00 as a donation to Durham/Nockamixon Elementary School contingent upon that the event does occur because of an issue with alternative funding. The motion carried 4-0-0. The Board requested a letter from the school advising that the event has been scheduled.

SUBDIVISIONS:

1. Glazier/Prime Properties – 10-Lot Major Subdivision

TMP# 30-8-93 – 119 Center Hill Road (Final)
S. Baluh commented that the applicant was not in attendance due to a scheduling conflict and requested additional time to respond to the most recent EAC and P-Hydro correspondence. The Board requested that Glazier/Prime be placed on the December Agenda.

OLD BUSINESS:
A. SECTV – Update – The consortium is scheduled to meet on December 20, 2007.  

-N. Janyszeski requested that the house on the Gorham property be winterized. She commented that all eight public houses in New Jersey are winterized annually. The Board requested that A. Morales obtain the number of gallons of fuel used at the property. It was the consensus of The Board that G. Housworth looks at winterizing this property which would include turning off heat and water.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Budget – Approve and Advertise for Public Inspection -

A motion was made by B. Keyser, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to approve the budget as presented. The motion carried 3-1-0 with H. Gawronski voting nay.
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to advertise the budget as presented and the Reorganization meeting for January 7, 2008 at 7:30PM. The motion carried 4-0-0.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to advertise Reorganization for the Planning Commission and Auditors for January 8, 2008. The motion carried 4-0-0.

1. Committee Vacancies 2008 – Advertise for Letters of Interest – The Board reviewed the list of vacancies. A. Santopietro has been elected Supervisor and The Board requested his letter of resignation from the Planning Commission. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to advertise for letters of interest for committee vacancies. The Motion carried 4-0-0.

C. Service Electric Cable Resolution – Extending Franchise – T. Clemons commented that this resolution recognizes that the Board is extending the franchise. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to approve Resolution # 11-20-2007 for the continuation of the Cable Franchise contract.
The motion carried 4-0-0.
  
D. Health Insurance Renewal – Approved in Treasurer’s Report

E. Conditional Use Application – Harrow Station LLC
      TMP# 30-11-30-7 & 30-11-30-3 – Set Date
T. Clemons requested authorization from the Board to advertise the Conditional Use Hearing for the December 18, 2007 Board Meeting. A hearing has to be scheduled within 60-days of submittal of the paperwork. There are several outstanding issues, including non-compliance with Township regulations, T. Clemons would like to contact the applicant’s attorney to request an extension. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to advertise a Conditional Use Hearing for Harrow Station LLC for the December Board of Supervisors meeting. The motion carried 4-0-0.

F. Recommendation from the Planners – motion to approve
      - have M. Gallagher of P-Hydro present during review of the Christman
            Tract 18-Lot Subdivision – The Board addressed earlier in the meeting.
      - Administrative procedure for Water Meter Readings
The Planners at their November meeting recommended that the Zoning Officer send a letter advising businesses with water meters that reports are required by the Township on a quarterly basis. T. Clemons suggested that a charge could be initiated for this service. T. Clemons recommended the following motion: that the Zoning Officer inspect and do a meter reading of all water meters that were required on the Land Development or Subdivision approval on a quarterly basis commencing in January 2008. N. Janyszeski entertained that as her motion, seconded by B. Keyser. H. Gawronski commented that this should be for all businesses. T. Clemons noted that only the Land Developments that include water meters as a condition in their approved plans can be inspected/read. The motion carried 4-0-0.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT: There was no Solicitor’s Report  

-B. Keyser advised residents to be aware that there have been several robberies in the area.

A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to adjourn the Board of Supervisors Meeting at 10:07 PM. The motion carried 4-0-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Arlene E. Eichlin,
Township Secretary
12/10/07