MINUTES OF NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
January 20, 2009
The regular scheduled meeting for January was held on January 20, 2009 in the Township building in Ferndale, PA. Chair N. Janyszeski opened the meeting at 7:30PM with a salute to the flag. Other members present were Vice-Chair B. Keyser and Supervisors H. Gawronski, J. Litzenberger and A. Santopietro.
SCHEDULING: Chair N. Janyszeski reviewed the schedule.
MINUTES OF MEETING:
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to accept the December 16, 2008 Board of Supervisors minutes as presented.
The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to approve the Reorganization minutes of January 5, 2009 as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by H. Gawronski, to approve the Budget minutes of October 20, 2008 as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by Bruce Keyser, to approve the Budget minutes of October 27, 2008 as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to approve the Budget minutes of November 10, 2008 as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to approve the Budget minutes of November 17, 2008 as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
REQUEST TO BE ON AGENDA:
Dennis & Debbie Litzenberger, and several other residents of School Drive were in attendance. They commented about the increase in traffic due to additional housing developments. Drivers on that road do not adhere to the 25 mph speed limit signs installed by the Township on School Drive last summer. However, there is no police enforcement and they would like the Township to install three or four speed humps the width of the road and the length of a car. They noted that school students use the roadway for cross country track and the use of the athletic fields have increased the amount of traffic. They presented the Board with a petition signed by residents of School Drive. This issue has been brought to the attention of D. Keppel, Facilities Manager of the School District and he will present at a meeting next week. A. Santopietro suggested that perhaps the district should be approached to cover 50% of the installation costs. Another suggestion by residents was the use of Stop signs (three) at the Thomas Free Drive intersection. A petition was presented to the Board with signatures of residents on School Drive. In addition, more police presence may deter drivers from exceeding the speed limit. The Secretary was directed to send a letter to Sgt. Murphy at the Dublin barracks with a request from the Board advising of the traffic problems on School Drive and asking for additional police presence. It was the consensus of the Board to move forward and obtain pricing for the addition of speed humps on School Drive and to contact the State Police.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
-S. Donovan wanted to know the consequences of building without applying for a permit and the penalty amount. J. Litzenberger commented that the fee is doubled. N. Janyszeski commented that a fee schedule has been adopted, and that the Board will be addressing other issues at the Work Session on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 7:30PM.
REPORTS:
N. Janyszeski, on behalf of the Board, thanked the Road Department for their hard work during the past snow events. A letter was received from the Palisades School District complementing them for the work they have been doing. G. Housworth commented that the transmission from the old red truck has been sent out for repairs. Approximate cost $1,800.00.
Bridge Repairs – Lonely Cottage and Rock Ridge Roads – G. Housworth and S. Baluh were unable to inspect these bridges due to the bad weather. A determination will be made and a report will be forthcoming for in-house and outsourcing of repairs.
S. Baluh requested permission from the Board to attend a meeting with PennDOT on Friday, January 23, 2009 for repairs to the bridge on Church Hill Road. It was the consensus of the Board to have S. Baluh and G. Housworth attend. J. Petersen offered his services during bridge inspections and the Board agreed.
Gas and Diesel Bid Award
The following bids were received for gas and diesel:
Farm & Home Oil (diesel fuel only)
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel $ 2.147 per gallon
Stem Brothers, Inc.
Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel Fuel $ 2.049 per gallon
Gasoline (Floating Price) 1.369 per gallon (89 octane)
Brinker’s Fuels
Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel No Bid
Gasoline – Riegelsville Facility No Bid (89 octane)
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Gawronski, to accept the Stem Brothers bid @ $2.049/Gallon. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, to re-bid the gasoline – Unleaded 89 Octane. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by H. Gawronski, to approve the December Road Report as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
G. Housworth requested permission from the Board to install the digital speed limit sign on School Drive. It was the consensus of the Board to place the sign on site.
B. Zoning Report – The Board reviewed the Zoning Report. Under discussion: S. Donovan (BNTGWC) requested information for wells recently drilled on Buck Drive. N. Janyszeski will follow-up with R. O’Brien. Outside wood burning furnace; AT&T cell tower and Conditional Use Application for changes to an existing tower on Marienstein Road. It was noted that Dave Taylor of Keystone Municipal Services will now serve as the Zoning Officer and Building Inspector for Nockamixon Township. It was the consensus of the Board to accept the Zoning Report.
C. Emergency Management – No Report
D. Environmental Advisory Committee – J. Petersen, Chairman, gave the report. Election of officers: J. Petersen, Chairman; S. Donovan, Co-Chairman. Under discussion: Preparation for an educational seminar on Riparian Buffers. M. Gallagher of P-Hydro will be contacted for any no-cost information for the Committee. A site visit is planned this weekend for the Gouck Subdivision on Haycock Run Road. They requested the status of the Hidden Valley Dump remediation. The Board directed the Secretary to write a letter to the BC Commissioners requesting an update. The EAC would like to review the EAC Ordinance and bring their recommendations to the Board. Any changes will be forwarded to the Board for review.
E. Open Space – No Report, no one in attendance. The Board discussed the finalization of the Kerl Property Conservation Easement.
F. Recreation Board – No December Meeting.
G. Nockamixon Historic Commission – No Report
H. Treasurer’s Report – K. DeLuca gave the Report.
PennDOT form MS – 965 is completed and ready to be signed.
In addition, upon acceptance of the electronic filing resolution, “The agreement to authorize Electronic Access to PennDOT Systems” could be signed.
On Januay 6 th, PennDOT Representative Earl Helbing visited our office, at Keith’s request, to instruct him on the correct way to complete form MS-965. He also received training on the new PennDOT grant site that will be used later this year.
Mr. Helbing indicated that our treasurer’s bond should be increased to reflect the amount that the Township receives from the State. We were in violation of this last year and will be again this year if not corrected. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to increase the Treasurer’s Bond to $150,000.00 to cover the amount of monies received from the State. The motion carried 5-0-0.
While on the subject of grants, he requested the Board’s consent to attend PSATS “Solving the Mystery of Grant Writing” workshop on March 12, 2009 in Schuylkill County. The cost is $60.00. A motion was made by B. Keyser, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to authorize K. Deluca to attend the grant writing workshop at a cost of $60.00 plus mileage. The motion carried 5-0-0.
On January 12, 2009, Hutchinson, Gillahan & Freeh, arrived to perform the preliminary stage of our annual audit. They will return on February 26 & 27 to conclude it.
Permission to renew Antivirus program for 2 (two) years at a cost of $69.99. Expires January 32, 2009. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to purchase two years of the Nod32 antivirus at a cost of $69.99. The motion carried 5-0-0.
Bills are being processed tonight: from the General Fund, the amount of $29,366.26; from the Escrow Fund $2,735.71; Open Space Fund $748.47 and from the State Fund $8,239.66.
After all bills are paid there is a balance of $1,945.00 in the General Fund, request permission to transfer $25,000.00 from Money Market to cover upcoming payroll. In addition, request to transfer $748.47 from open space fund to general fund (to cover open space fund (to cover open space bills paid out of general fund) and $271.86 from general fund to community day fund. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to make the transfer requested by the Treasurer $25,000 from the money market account, $748.47 from the open space account to the General Fund and $271.86 from the General Fund to the Community Day Fund. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by B. Keyser, to approve the bill list as presented. Under discussion, H. Gawronski commented regarding the $4,080.00 bill for Building & Zoning Services for Keystone Municipal Services. And, according to the budget there was not enough money in the line item to make the payment. J. Litzenberger asked the Treasurer for a recommendation. K. Deluca commented that sufficient funds were in the “building code enforcement office” Line Item 414.12. It was noted that, at this time, the budget cannot be changed. J. Litzenberger requested a detailed list from Keystone on each invoice. With the Classification of the Zoning Services. The motion carried 4-1-0, with H. Gawronski voting nay.
The Board discussed the BNTGWC draft letter to non-residential water users in the Palisades Schools Aquifer. They requested that it be placed on BNT letterhead and include a contact person. It was noted by N. Janyszeski that authorization is needed from all three townships when any action is taken by the Committee per Paragraph 8 of the Township Ordinance. It was the consensus of the Board that the BNT should obtain letters of support from Bridgeton & Tinicum Townships.
SUBDIVISIONS:
Grants extension to May 30, 2009
C. G. Jesiolowski – 2-Lot Subdivision TMP# 30-15-11-4
Grants extension to March 30, 2009
The Board acknowledged receipt of the G. Hoffman and G. Jesiolowski Subdivisions.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Proposed Wind Energy Ordinance
SOLICITOR’S REPORT: No Report
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, to adjourn the Board of Supervisors Meeting at 10:55 PM. The motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlene E. Eichlin
Recording Secretary