MINUTES OF NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS September 16, 2009 The regular scheduled meeting for September was held on September 16, 2009 in the Township building in Ferndale, PA. Chair N. Janyszeski opened the meeting at 7:40PM with a salute to the flag. Other members present were Vice-Chair B. Keyser and Supervisors H. Gawronski, J. Litzenberger and A. Santopietro. Also in attendance was B. Sadow, Planning Commission Chair
SCHEDULING: Chair N. Janyszeski reviewed the schedule. She noted that UBREMS, Revere Station, will be hosting Halloween Hours from 4:00-8:00PM on Saturday, October 31, 2009 MINUTES OF MEETING: A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by B. Keyser, to approve the August 19, 2009 Board of Supervisors minutes as presented. The motion carried 4-0-1, with J. Litzenberger abstaining, he was not in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENT: B. Hanson had two questions: 1. concerning the quarry expansion and the re-codification of the Zoning Ordinance and 2. Status of the litigation for gas drilling. It was noted by the Board that the Ordinances had been codified in 2000. A decision will be forthcoming from the courts for the gas drilling challenge. -S. Tenney commented that the first drilling permit had been denied by the PADEP, and requested status of the latest application. The Board had no information other than it is in process. -- She requested status of the annual Quarry permit. The Board did not respond due to ongoing litigation. -S. Donovan read a statement regarding Veteran’s Park which included the Noise Ordinance, spraying of the field in Spring, installation of the walking path and plantings on the berm. After a short discussion, the Board agreed that the path would not be moved. T. Keebler will meet with S. Donovan and A. Balogh to discuss buffer plantings for the existing berm. - E. Gawronski commented that she spoke with Township residents who were happy that they could walk on the path and not along Township roads. - L. Giarratanna discussed selling plants at the Used Car lot on Rte 611. She met with D. Taylor and asked the Board for permission to sell flowers. It was noted that the permit would be issued by the Zoning Officer. A. Eichlin commented that, when asked, the Zoning Officer noted that no application had been received by the Township. At the meeting, L. Giarratanna submitted a permit application with the Secretary for the Zoning Officer. It was recommended that she make an appointment. - J. Fezzuglio commented that he had complied with the Planning Commissions recommendations including: installation of a fence; exit and entrance signage; painted parking lot arrows larger and restrict two parking spaces in front of the building with orange cones. A motion was made by B. Keyser, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to grant the waiver of land development to oWoWCow, TMP# 30-11-69-1. The motion carried 5-0-0.
REPORTS: A. ROAD REPORT – G. Housworth was not in attendance. A motion was made by B. Keyser, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to approve the August 2009 Road Report as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
B. Zoning Report –Fee Schedule Update – Resolution - D. Taylor, Zoning Officer, was not in attendance. The Board reviewed the report. He requested new Building Code Books at a discounted price of $478.25. The Board will consider at the Budget Work Session.
C. Emergency Management – Member, E. Mocarsi, gave the report. He discussed the communications problems they encountered during the latest activation and he asked for recommendations from the Board to resolve the problems. Suggestions from the Board and the audience were: military phones; County assistance from Communication On Wheels (COW) and 10-mile radios.
D. Environmental Advisory Committee – S. Donovan, Co-Chair, gave the report. He presented a draft letter to the Board and requested permission to send the letter of support from the EAC to the Environmental Quality Board to amend 25 Pa Code Chapter 102 improving riparian buffer requirements. It was the consensus of the Board to approve the letter. -As a member of the BNT GWC, S. Donovan commented that he had requested permission from all three townships seeking permission on several items including, but not limited to: the release of information on the updated groundwater report; requesting the release of the report of resurveyed water levels monitored recently; approval to participate in a public forum to educate the stakeholders. In addition they requested Board approval to send a letter to PADEP expressing their concerns on the negative water impact of Hanson Quarry. -- The Board recommended that the words ‘concerned citizens’ be removed from the letter if sent to PADEP on committee letterhead, or take it off of BNT letterhead and send as written. -- Since the well test results are public information, a request should be directed to the Township Right-to-Know Officer for review and consideration. – It was the consensus of the Board to hold a public forum addressing resident’s questions. Date TBD – The Board discussed having information available to residents who may request well testing as well as PADEP approved laboratories.
E. Open Space – Co-Chair, S. Tenney gave the report. An Executive Session was requested and Chair, N. Janyszeski, commented that it would be held at the end of the regular meeting. The Board granted permission for use of the easel and pictures of Open space properties for Community Day.
F. Recreation Board – Chair, T. Keebler, gave the report. He commented that the Walking Path in Veteran’s park has been completed. He will assess the pathway and, at a later date, provide plans for an additional exercise area.
G. Community Day – J. Litzenberger gave the report. Volunteers are needed to set up and take down tents before and after the event. All vendor spaces have been filled. H. Nockamixon Historic Commission – T. Fritz, member, commented that the Historic Commission is preparing for Community Day.
- Attended CDBG Grant Workshop on September 2 nd. He followed that up with a meeting at Carole Janssens office to check the grant application for completeness. She made some corrections and offered advice in completing the application. - K. Deluca hand delivered the CDBG grant application for the Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Center to Bucks County on September 15 th. - A reminder that he will be attending the PSATS Beginning QuickBooks & Tips and Tricks for QuickBooks on October 7 & 8 in Pottsville, PA. - The 2010 Minimum Municipal Obligation (PMRS) has been completed. He requested permission to submit to the State. A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to approve the 2010 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for employees in the amount of $8,682.73. The motion carried 5-0-0. -A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to approve the 2010 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for the police pension fund in the amount of $0. The motion carried 5-0-0. - Throughout the year we receive numerous renewal requests for periodicals. We have several that are expiring; do we want to renew them? The Board commented not to renew them at this time. - In the process of reconciling the escrow accounts, K. Deluca noticed that the Township administration fee had not been transferred to the General Fund. He requested permission to examine all escrow accounts for fees paid and left in the escrow account. - Included in this month’s bill list are the final installment for Kintner Ridge to Bray Brothers for $1,225.82; payment of $8,700.00 to Glenn Neebe for construction of the Walking path in Veteran’s Park and the release of continuance escrow for Larry Stangil and Michelle Kowalchek in the amount of $500.00 each. - Bills being presented tonight: General Fund, $32,470.98; Escrow Fund, $2,369.73; Community Day Fund, $4,952.53; Open Space, $494.00; Recreation Fund, $8,700.00; Beres Construction Fund, $3,008.31 - Transfers requested: $494.00 from Open Space Fund to General Fund; $3008.31 from Beres Construction Fund to Escrow Fund; $8,700.00 from Recreation Fund to General Fund. -A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by H. Gawronski, to transfer $494.00 from the Open Space Fund to the General Fund. The motion carried 5-0-0. -A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, from Beres Construction Bond billing for Bray Brothers Inc., Kintner Ridge wearing course for $1,225.82, C. Robert Wynn Assoc escrow billing of $1,782.39 for a total of $3008.31 transferred from Escrow to General Fund. The motion carried 5-0-0 -A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, for Glenn Neebe for the walking path at Veteran’s Park and to transfer $8,700.00 from the Recreation Fund to the General Fund for payment. The motion carried 5-0-0. -A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to approve the September Bill List as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. -A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to schedule 2010 Budget Work Sessions on the following Thursdays: October 1 st, 8 th, 15 th, 22 nd, and 29 th at 7:30 PM at the Nockamixon Township Municipal Building and permission to advertise in the Daily Intelligencer. The motion carried 5-0-0.
SUBDIVISIONS:
Grants an extension to 12-31-2009 A motion was made by B. Keyser, seconded by A. Santopietro, to grant an extension to 10-31-2009 and have S. Baluh send a letter requesting that the applicant move forward with his plan. The motion carried 4-1-0 with H. Gawronski voting nay. The Secretary will contact S. Baluh and advise of the Boards decision.
Grants an extension to 12-31-2009 A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to accept the extension for the A. M. Morton Sub, TMP# 30-15-5 until 12-31-2009. The motion carried 5-0-0.
LAND DEVELOPMENT:
Grants an extension to 12-31-2009 A motion was made by H. Gawronski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to accept the extension for the DiPalantino L/D, TMP# 30-11-83 until 12-31-2009. The motion carried 5-0-0. RELEASE OF ESCROWS:
Payable to Harrow Station A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by A. Santopietro, to release escrow for Voucher #1 in the amount of $70,426.89, payable to Harrow Station/CVS. The motion carried 5-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS: A. Funding for Fourth Grade Trip to Harrisburg – A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by J. Litzenberger, to expend up to $800.00 to fund the Fourth Grade Trip to Harrisburg. The motion carried 5-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS: A. Designation of Halloween Hours – A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to designate Saturday, October 31, 2009 from 4:00-8:00PM as Township Halloween hours.
N. Janyszeski commented that since there have been quite a few items that need to be reviewed, which solicitor would be responsible for time spent reviewing? After a short discussion, it was noted that each Township may send correspondence/paperwork to their respective Solicitor’s to review.
Http://buckscounty.org/news/2009/2009-09-02-H1N1PlanningEfforts.aspx - Information is available on the Township website and in the foyer.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT: Not in attendance.
At 9:45PM, Chair, N. Janyszeski, commented that the Board will meet in Executive Session to discuss Real Estate. At 11:15PM, Chair, N. Janyszeski noted that the Board met in Executive Session to discuss Real Estate.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, to spend $3,000.00 for the appraisal of Property #10. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, to expend up to $150.00 of Open Space Funds for the required proposal applications for Property #10. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by A. Santopietro, for Resolution # 9-16-2009 as read by J. Litzenberger for the acquisition of land to the Natural Lands Program for TMP# 30-8-90 and 30-8-89 and authorizing the Solicitor to file the paperwork. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A. Eichlin reminded the Board that she will be attending a Records Retention and Destruction Seminar on Monday, September 28, 2009 in Allentown, PA. A motion was made by J. Litzenberger, seconded by H. Gawronski, to adjourn the Board of Supervisors Meeting at 11:17 PM. The motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlene E. Eichlin Recording Secretary |