Minutes of Nockamixon Township Board of Supervisors February 18, 2009
The regular scheduled meeting for February was held on February 18, 2009 in the Township building in Ferndale, PA. Chair N. Janyszeski opened the meeting at 7:30 PM with a salute to the flag. Other members present were Supervisors H. Gawronski, J. Litzenberger and A. Santopietro.
SCHEDULING: Chair N. Janyszeski reviewed the schedule.
PUBLIC COMMENT: -Mr. Kimble asked about the general engineering fee for December. Act 537 Plan was the reason. The township will be reimbursed a portion of that fee.
MINUTES OF MEETING: A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to accept the January 20, 2009 Board of Supervisors minutes as presented. The motion carried 4-0-0.
APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY – A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to appoint Keith DeLuca as the temporary assistant secretary. The motion carried 4-0-0.
A. Road Department – Gas Bid Award
A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to allow for the township assistant secretary to apply for state funded bid on salt online for Resolution# 2-18-09 A. The motion carried 4-0-0. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to accept Brinker’s bid at $ 1.635 per gallon for gasoline which was submitted on 2/16/09. The motion carried 4-0-0. G. Houseworth’s notes showed that he spoke with Sgt. Murphy regarding a speed bump and a stop sign on School Drive. The state police will make an effort to make more routine patrols on School Drive. A speed display board will be set up on School Drive. A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by H. Gawronski, to accept the road report as presented. The motion carried 4-0-0.
B. Zoning Report C. Emergency Management The emergency operations plan will be updated for board approval before the end of the year. Individuals can sign up for the Ready Notify PA system online to subscribe for automated phone calls for emergency alerts free of charge, depending on the phone carrier and texting charges. They are also working with Palisades School District on identifying characteristics of each school building for police and first responders. There was a lengthy discussion regarding house numbers identification signs. The board will be provided with the size of the signs and lettering at the next meeting.
D. Environmental Advisory Committee J. Petersen gave the EAC report. They are reviewing the Act 537 Plan, and visited the Goucke Subdivision. The EAC is looking into grants from the state that would help the Township…? The Groundwater Committee needs permission to look at the meter in the Palisades High School well.
E. Open Space Committee – Executive Session A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, to expend out of Open Space money $275,000 for Property #6. The motion carried 4-0-0. F. Recreation Board – Looking for approval for Boy Scouts to make a small stairway along the hillside and clearing around the trolley trestle. N. Janyszeski stated she needs more information for making decision.
Permission for Erhlich to expend $450 payments A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to spend $450 for Erhlich to spray the park and post a spray notice 1 week before spray time and post within 24 hours; with N. Janyszeski voting no. The motion carried 3-1-0.
G. Nockamixon Historic Commission - no report
H. Community Day – Dates are being worked on and will be reported to the board at a later date.
Request permission for the purchase of two new office chairs.
A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to purchase two new chairs for the office staff, not to exceed $250 for both. The motion carried 4-0-0. Request permission to purchase a maintenance agreement on the office machine. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to get a contract to get a maintenance agreement on the office machine not to exceed $1300. The motion carried 4-0-0. Request permission to purchase a new laptop battery for Emergency Management Services. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to purchase a new laptop battery not to exceed $125. The motion carried 4-0-0. Request to transfer $52,335 in funds becausestate fund money was deposited into road improvement funds in July 2008, and to transfer $248 from open space funds and $499.97 from escrow to general funds. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to transfer the money as stated into the state fund from the road improvement fund. The motion carried 4-0-0. Request to reimburse the general fund from the road improvement fund. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by H. Gawronski, to reimburse the general fund $52,335 from the road improvement fund representing the difference from the budgeted amount and the actual cost of the traffic signal at Routes 563 and 412. The motion carried 4-0-0. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to accept the bill list as presented; with A. Santopietro voting no. The motion carried 3-1-0.
PUBLIC HEARING
The tower is located at 349 Marienstein Road. AT&T would like to increase the tower height from 128 feet to 148 feet. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, to accept the application from AT&T Mobility/Bechtel seeking approval to modify an existing tower at Tax Parcel 30-212-828 located at 349 Marienstein Road with further conditional approval of the engineer for the amount of the bond; with H. Gawronski abstaining. The motion carried 3-0-0.
Executive Session was held to discuss litigation. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to remove the waiver language that was on check #193 payable to Asphalt Maintenance Solutions in the amount of $160, 756.08, removing the endorsement of the payment in full, conditional upon language being worked out between the Township Solicitor and Asphalt Maintenance . The motion carried 4-0-0. Proposed PMRS Pension Modification – Ordinance #136 - A change in benefits is proposed as administered under the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System, to allow for additional benefits in the event of an employee’s death, and to allow for contributions from employees. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to pass Ordinance #136, PMRS Pension Plan. The motion carried 4-0-0.
SUBDIVISIONS: A.D. Gross/ Byers Road Subdivision – TMP# 30-15-2 Requests extension to 4/30/2009 Extension granted to 4/30/2009.
LAND DEVELOPMENT: Harrow Station, LLC Senior Housing – TMP# 30-11-30-3 Requests extension to 4/30/2009 Extension granted to 4/30/2009. Harrow Station, LLC Senior Housing – TMP# 30-11-30-3 Preliminary Approval A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to grant preliminary plan approval based on the Township Engineer’s review letter dated 1/27/2009 and EAC review letter.
There was a discussion about a site visit to Hanson Quarry regarding a placing a meter on the property near Rapp Creek and taking measurements. The township will send a letter to Hanson’s Allentown office with the request.
OLD BUSINESS:
Well water permit – tabled Garage Sale Signs – to be removed.
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to accept the hold harmless agreement with Palisades School District regarding the crosswalk on Route 412. The motion carried 4-0-0. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to accept the easement across Route 412 for the crosswalk for Tax Map Parcels 30-42-3 and 30-4-71. The motion carried 4-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to approve the Auditor General AG-385 form. The motion carried 4-0-0.
A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to approve the Third Annual PCF 5K Challenge. The motion carried 4-0-0.
Tabled until more information is received.
Needs approval by zoning hearing board.
A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to pay the recording secretary $16 an hour. The motion carried 4-0-0.
A motion was made by H. Gawronski to purchase a chipper from Troy Holzworth for $8500, seconded by A. Santopietro; with N. Janyszeski voting no. The motion carried 3-1-0.
A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to adjourn the Board of Supervisors Meeting at 11:30PM. The motion carried 4—0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Radick Recording Secretary
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