MINUTES OF NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS June 17, 2009 The regular scheduled meeting for June was held on June 17, 2009 in the Township building in Ferndale, PA. Chair N. Janyszeski opened the meeting at 7:35PM 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. A. Eichlin advised of the following changes: The Historical Society Meeting for Thursday, July 2 has been cancelled; EAC moved their meeting from Thursday, July 9 to Thursday, July 2 @ 7:00PM; Historical Society Concert is Sunday June 28 from 6:30 – 8:30PM. Emergency Management will not hold a July 8 meeting; B.C. Recycling is Saturday, June 20 from 9:00AM – 3:00PM at the U.B. Technical School; Community Day Committee will meet on Monday, June 22 at Lackland Storage.
MINUTES OF MEETING: J. Litzenberger requested a change to Page 2, H. Community Day. Denise Hall is Chair and Elaine Gawronski is Vice-Chair. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to accept the May 20, 2009 Board of Supervisors minutes with the changes. The motion carried 5-0-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT: -A. Smith had a question concerning the 611 Auto Sales enforcement notice. -S. Donovan of the BNT GWC presented a draft letter to the Board for review regarding the re-survey of Nockamixon Township well levels and the introduction of their summer intern George ‘Jake’ Kleinknecht. It was the consensus of the Board to have the Secretary put on Township letterhead and send to the Board for their approval. They recommended that the Township Office be notified when correspondence is sent out.
REQUEST TO BE ON AGENDA: A. John Fezzuglio – oWoWCoW – Zoning Officer Correspondence J. Fezzuglio commented that an enforcement notice was sent by the Township Zoning Officer that a complaint had been received regarding his business. One of the issues was the installation of outside tables for customer seating. He noted that the B.C. Board of Health was on site and had no problems with the seating arrangements. The Zoning Officer, D. Taylor, commented that the permit was issued as a ‘retail store’ with no indoor or outdoor seating. The applicant had assured the Zoning Officer that no one would be sitting inside or outside. An E-5 Use in Village Center requires a variance. The store is currently an E-1 Use. Other issues discussed included the traffic pattern, the concerns with customers sitting in/near the parking area and selling other products including local produce. A request was made by H. Gawronski that the Board grant a waiver of Land Development. D. Taylor requested a letter from BCDH approving the store. The Board gave the applicant 60-days to obtain the proper information from BCDH, install three large orange cones. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to give the applicant 60-days to obtain the necessary paperwork, have D. Taylor and J. Fezzuglio meet prior to the July 15, 2009 BOS meeting, obtain a recommendation from the Planning Commission for a waiver of land development, a written response from the BCDH, recommendations from S. Baluh regarding the traffic pattern and install three (3) large orange cones near the tables. The motion carried 5-0-0.
CONDITIONAL USE HEARING:
Solicitor J. Yeager opened the Conditional Use hearing for T-Mobile Northeast, 2568 River Road at 8:30PM. He noted that the hearing had been posted in the Township Building and on the site, notices were mailed to surrounding residents; advertised in the June 10, 2009 Intelligencer. However, due to an error by theIntelligencer, there was no advertising on June 3, 2009 as requested. The newspaper contacted the Township on June 4, 2009 to advise that the ad had not run. Correspondence has been received from the applicant agreeing to the continuation of the hearing to July 15, 2009. The newspaper has agreed to run the ads at no-charge to the Township. There was no response from the residents when the Solicitor asked if anyone wanted party status. The Solicitor closed the hearing at 8:35 PM and with Board approval continued until July 15, 2009 @ 8:00 PM.
Solicitor J. Yeager opened the Conditional Use Hearing for T-Mobile Northeast, 9209 Easton Road at 8:37 PM. He commented that this hearing has the same issues as the previous including the advertising and received an agreement from the applicant to open and then continue to July 15, 2009. There was no response from the residents when the Solicitor asked if anyone wanted party status. The Solicitor recommended that the hearing be continued to July 15, 2009 @ 8:00 PM. The Board agreed. The Solicitor closed the hearing at 8:40 PM.
REPORTS: A. ROAD REPORT – G. Housworth gave the report which included patching of roadways, preparing roads for skim patching; mowing of roadsides; the most recent damage to the Gorham Property; skateboarding at Veteran’s Park and teens climbing on the building roofs also trees that are leaning across roadways. The Road Dept. will review the best way to remove the trees. The Board suggested that ‘no skateboarding signs’ be posted on the buildings. The Solicitor commented that the appropriate signage should be posted. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to approve the May 2009 Road Report. The motion carried 5-0-0.
B. Zoning Report – Reidler Enforcement Notice – The Zoning Officer, D. Taylor gave the report. He advised the Board of the plant stand that is currently located at the car lot on SR611 in the Commercial District. The owners of the property, John and Janet Reidler, as well as the tenant, L. Giarratanna, were in attendance. The discussion continued regarding which districts permit agricultural uses. It was noted that an appointment should be made with the Zoning Officer to submit a zoning permit application prior to the July 15, 2009 Board meeting. The Board agreed to withhold the enforcement notice until that meeting. If there are any additional problems, they will be handled by the Zoning Hearing Board.
C. Emergency Management – E. Mocarsi gave thereport. There will be no July meeting. He reviewed the meetings they attended during the past month.
D. Environmental Advisory Committee – J. Petersen, Chairman, gave the report. The EAC is preparing a presentation on riparian buffers for a future BOS/PC Work Session. He noted that this will be the theme for Community Day.
E. Open Space – Co-Chair, S. Tenney, gave the report. Open Space requested an Executive Session. The Board Chair, N. Janyszeski, commented that it would be held at the end of the meeting. S. Tenney noted that another application has been received for an Open Space easement. She reminded the Board that there is a resolution to consider for the Bucks County Open Space Plan Update Adoption. It is scheduled for later in the meeting.
F. Recreation Board – There was no report. S. Donovan commented that T. Keebler was to update him about the spraying of the ball fields by Ehrlich. After a short discussion, the Board noted that they will review their options prior to next years spraying. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by A. Santopietro, that Ehrlich does not automatically come out to spray in the Spring, until the Board revisits the situation and discusses options. The motion carried 5-0-0. G. Nockamixon Historic Commission – N. Jesiolowski , member, gave the report. They are currently documenting all one-room schoolhouses in both Nockamixon and Bridgeton Townships.
H. Community Day – Liaison, J. Litzenberger gave the report. The committee has been discussing the type of family entertainment that will be provided, including contracts for the children’s area. E. Gawronski commented that D. Wolfinger will provide the hayrides, the Boy Scouts the rope-bridge and U.S. Army National Guard, the rock wall. She brought in $120 for vendor spaces and $610 in donations. Year-to-date: $315/spaces and $2,195/donations.
I. Treasurer’s Report – K. DeLuca gave the Report. -We need a resolution authorizing application for assistance to the 2010 Bucks County CDBG Program. The grant will be intended for the Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Center. In addition Nockamixon Township will, as in the past, be the lead Township. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawonski, to have Nockamixon Township be the Lead for the CDBG Grant for the Eastern U.B. Senior Center as Resolution #6-17-2009. The motion carried 5-0-0. -Last month K. DeLuca requested that the Board approve the use of the $1,000.00 from liquid fuels fund and additional money from the General Fund to replace our current computers. He contacted Tom Wargo from Affordable Computer Repair for assistance. Tom installed the current system. He recommended computers custom built by Micro Apex. They are actually less than the Dell Computers he had priced through Co-Stars are locally built and come with a 2 year guarantee. The quote from Tom for 2 computers and installation is $1,318.00. K. DeLuca priced 2 monitors from Staples for $129.99 each and a color printer for Arlene’s desk for $199.99. Total for everything would be $1,697.99. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to approve the proposal for computers as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. N. Janyszeski requested that one of the old computers be made available for the Road Department, and to have T. Wargo install. N. Janyszeski rescinded the motion, seconded by J. Litzenberger, as stated. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to approve the proposal for the computers up to $2,000.00. It will include connecting/installation of a computer for the Road Department along with a cover. The motion carried 5-0-0. -In regard to our present computers we had a few episodes since our last meeting that necessitates the need for replacements soon. -At our May Work Session we completed revamping the 2009 budget. However, we continue to be short of a balanced budget by $300,000.00 -Also at our May Work Session he brought to the attention of the Supervisors, that in August of 2008, $32,811.17 of Open Space money had been incorrectly deposited into the General Fund. It should also be noted that the fee charged by the taxing authority, Palisades, to collect Earned Income Tax for Open Space, since August of 2005 has been paid out of the General Fund in the amount of $26,637.39. The net result is that $6,173.85 should be transferred to the General Fund. -Permission to prepare donations for our local Fire Company and Ambulance Companies. These would be the first half of the year. On the subject of Fire Companies, I spoke with Carl Bahnck on the question of Ottsville Fire Companies ability to do Fire alarm and extinguishers inspections. They are not. -Tonight we have two checks on the bill list for the Nockamixon Historical Society. One in the amount of $932.00 represents state grant money. The other one is in the amount of $2,523.00 representing Nockamixon Township’s match and donation.
-The AMS contracts for the Tar & Chip are ready to be signed. -Just a reminder that I will be attending an intermediate accounting workshop, sponsored by PSATS, in Bensalem on Monday, June 22 nd. -Bills being presented tonight: General Fund, $43,609.95; Escrow Fund, $3,553.81; Community Day Fund, $263.43; Open Space, $268.67; Recreation Fund, $525.00; Beres Construction Fund, $11.032.38. -Transfers requested: $20,000 from General Fund to High Yield Money Market; $5905.18 from General Fund to Open Space Fund; $525.00 from Recreation Fund to General Fund; $11,032.38 from Beres Construction Fund to General Fund; Beres Construction Fund to Developers Escrow Fund. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to approve the June Bill List as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. SUBDIVISIONS:
Requests extension to 8/30/2009
C. Christman Tract – TMP# 30-4-84, -102 & -104 Grants extension to 9/30/2009
D. G. Jesiolowski Minor Sub – TMP# 30-14-11-4 – Quarry Road For Signature – subject to the receipt of development agreements It was noted that the Jesiolowski Minor Sub is available for Board signature.
E. Morton Major Sub (Lonely Cottage Dr.) TMP# 30-15-5 Requests extension to 10/2/2009 A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by B. Keyser, to grant the D. Gross/Byers Road extension to 8/30/2009; Gouck Minor Sub extension to 8/30/2009; Christman Tract extension to 9/30/2009; Morton Major Sub extension to 10/2/2009. The motion carried 5-0-0.
LAND DEVELOPMENTS:
Requests extension to 12/20/2009 A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by H. Gawronski, to grant the Wehrung Phase II L/D extension to 8/30/2009; DiPalatino L/D extension to 10/2/2009; Nockamixon Crossing Shopping Ctr extension to 12/20/2009. The motion carried 5-0-0.
For Signature – subject to the receipt of development agreements. It was noted that the Harrow Station CVS/Carwash plans are here for Board signature.
OLD BUSINESS: A. Permission to gather information for Codification of Ordinances – The Solicitor, J. Yeager commented that a codification was done early in 2000 and updated formally once or twice. He recommended that the Township do annual updates of the codified ordinances. K. Deluca will copy the ordinances and ready them for mailing to General Code for a quote. It was the consensus of the Board to have the ordinances accessible on line.
NEW BUSINESS:
Rebates – www.papropertytaxrelief.com – residents can go to this website For tax relief information.
N. Janyszeski, seconded by H. Gawronski, to write a letter to Tinicum Township requesting the services of the Fire Police for the following dates: 9/11, 9/18, 10/9, 10/30, 11/6 and any home playoff games TBD. The motion carried 5-0-0.
N. Janyszeski commented that any requests for information need to be sent to the Township’s Right-to-Know Officer, A. Eichlin. All requests are to be reviewed by the RTK Officer before sending out any paperwork.
Cleaning Service – N. Janyszeski commented that a new cleaning service is being considered. H. Radick, the current Recording Secretary for the Township Planning Commission, has been given favorable reviews by Springfield and Haycock Townships. The cost is $65.00/visit. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to hire H. Radick to clean the Township office at a cost of $65.00/visit. The motion carried 5-0-0.
H. Gawronski acquired an easel which was given to the Township by Durham Holtmeier. Please send a thank you letter to D. Holtmeier from both the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT: No Report
The Chair, N. Janyszeski, called an Executive Session at 10:07PM to discuss real estate and litigation. At 11:00PM, Chair, N. Janyszeski, commented that an Executive Session was held to discuss real estate and litigation.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to schedule a public hearing to purchase with Open Space Funds, Property #2. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by B. Keyser, to adjourn the Board of Supervisors Meeting at 11:05PM. The motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlene E. Eichlin Recording Secretary |