MINUTES OF NOCKAMIXON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS February 17, 2010 The regular scheduled meeting for February was held on February 17, 2010 in the Township building in Ferndale, PA. Chair N. Janyszeski opened the meeting at 7:35 P.M. with a salute to the flag. Other members present were Vice-Chair B. Keyser and Supervisors, A. Santopietro, C. Bahnck and Wm. Sadow. Also in attendance: Solicitor, J.B. Yeager, Secretary A. Eichlin and Treasurer K. DeLuca.
SCHEDULING: Chair N. Janyszeski reviewed the schedule.
MINUTES OF MEETING: A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by B. Keyser, to approve the December 16, 2009 minutes as presented. The motion carried 3-0-2 with C. Bahnck and B. Sadow abstaining. They were not Supervisors at the time.
A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by C. Bahnck, to approve the January 20, 2010 minutes. B. Sadow commented that the motion on Page 2, under e. Environmental Advisory Committee should read 3-2-0. The motion carried 5-0-0.
A motion was made by C. Bahnck, seconded by B. Sadow, to approve the January 28, 2010 Work Session minutes as presented. The motion carried 4-0-1, with B. Keyser abstaining. He was not in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENT: -N. Jesiolowski commented that the Board of Supervisors voted not to move forward with the scenic-by-way and requested reasons for that decision. The Board noted their concerns including: tour buses and the application for and/or distribution of Federal monies to the municipalities.
REQUEST TO BE ON THE AGENDA: a. Bucks County General Services – Mr. Joe Bush and Mr. Gerry Anderson – Hidden Valley. The Director, Gerry Anderson, introduced Joe Bush, Special Projects, and representatives from Penn E&R, Wm. J. Ponticello, Pres. and Jeffrey Walsh, V.P. He thanked the Board for the invitation to address the issues that have been brought to their attention. Bucks County intends to be responsive to Township concerns and to be a good neighbor. Their consultants have been instructed to copy the Township on all correspondence and reports relating to Hidden Valley. If any discrepancies are found on site, please contact his office. Solicitor, J. Yeager commented that there was communication between the Township and the County regarding Hidden Valley. The outcome is a list of questions and photos compiled by Township Committees that were forwarded to the County for review and response. Wm. Ponticello and J. Walsh, licensed geologists, addressed the Township’s questions/concerns. J. Walsh explained the function of the drip system, including the pumping methods, water storage and disbursement into the leach field and its primary function, which is to contain and reroute the leachate or water that comes to the surface. The water, once collected, is re-infiltrated at the fenced in location and monitored per the PADEP permit which requires sampling and monitoring at the following locations: Outfall #1 – semi-annual basis; two stormwater locations MW101 and MW102 – semi-annual basis; Monitoring Well #1 (west side) – Quarterly basis; Gallows Run – Quarterly basis. PennE&R addressed other concerns including, but not limited to: monitoring of stormwater outflows; increasing the frequency of surface inspections for trash; test sampling results show no TCE’s and PCE’s on the compound; the County’s plan to maintain Hidden Valley and surrounding properties as Open Space and to keep open communications with the Township. They have no interest, nor will the state allow, reopening the area as a dump. The Countywill be investigating the orange discharge that has been found recently. They have received correspondence from PADEP requesting recommendations and evaluations of this site.The Board requested several items including: Maps of Hidden Valley, time, dates of completed water testing and results of future testing, list of chemicals found on site, issue and expiration date of the PADEP permit. It was noted by the Solicitor that any further questions from the Committees should be submitted in writing so that everyone would be aware of concerns that have been, or need to be, addressed. J. Yeager, Solicitor, commented, it is his understanding that Mr. Anderson will locate prior documentation and transfers along with any easements that may be contained in Hidden Valley paperwork. The county would be open to putting easements on the site to ensure the residents that the land will be preserved. The Board thanked the county representatives, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Bush and the Penn E&R representatives, Mr. Ponticello and Mr. Walsh for attending and responding to resident’s questions.
REPORTS: a. ROAD REPORT – Resolution - Salt Contract Participation 8/2010-7/2011 – Roadmaster, G. Housworth was in attendance and gave a brief report. The Board thanked the Road Crew for all their hard work during the snow storms. G. Housworth was directed to install warm white fluorescent bulbs in the lighting fixtures. A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by B. Sadow to approve the oral January Road Report as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. K. DeLuca commented that, after a discussion with G. Housworth, the amount of road salt contracted for 2010/2011 should be reduced to 200,000 tons. A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by N. Janyszeski, to approve the Salt Contract Participation Agreement from 8/2010 thru 7/2011, Resolution #2-17-2010 for the purchase of Sodium Chloride (Road Salt). The motion carried 5-0-0.
b. Zoning Report – D. Taylor was not in attendance. The Zoning Office requested guidance from the Board regarding a deadline for compliance of the Enforcement Notice sent earlier for the Parciak Property. It was the consensus of the Board that responses should be received by 3:00 PM Wednesday March 10, 2010.
c. Emergency Management – E. Mocarsi, Member, gave the report to the Board. He reviewed the snow storms of the past several weeks and the snow emergencies that had been declared.
d.Environmental Advisory Committee – J. Petersen, co-chair, gave the report.Their meeting consisted of a review of action items for Hidden Valley.
e. BNT Ground Water Committee – S. Donovan, member, gave the report. He commented that a letter was received from Bridgeton and Tinicum Townships confirming their support for the BNT GWC to send a letter to PADEP regarding the designation of Nockamixon Township Critical Water Planning Area (CWPA). It was noted by the Board that Nockamixon does not currently meet the criteria. There is no public water supply in the Township. It will be discussed at the February 25, 2010 Work Session.
f. Open Space Committee– S. Tenney, co-chair, gave the report. She requested an Executive Session. The Board will meet in ExecutiveSession later in the meeting.The Monday, March 22, 2010 meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 25, 2010, in order to attend the Board of supervisors Work Session. After a lengthy discussion, the Board approved the attendance of one person to the 2010 Annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference April 8-10, 2010. A motion was made by C. Bahnck, seconded by B. Keyser, to expend up to $250.00 (for attendance and mileage) to send one person to the 2010 Annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference. The motion carried 3-2-0 with N. Janyszeski and B. Sadow voting nay. Open Space funding and payment of bills will be discussed at the March Board of Supervisors Work Session. E. Kemble requested a plot plan of his neighbor’s property. He was advised to submit a Right-To-Know request to the Township Office.
g. Recreation Board – No report. No members in attendance.
h. Nockamixon Historic Commission – N. Jesiolowski , Chair, gave the report to the Board. In March, the Commission will visit a Revolutionary War graveyard. A letter has been sent to the Nockamixon Historical Society requesting an inventory of items in order to create records in a data base documenting Township facts. A letter of resignation has been received from Anne Lyons.
i. Treasurer’s Report Keith DeLuca gave the Report. - Township Cell Phones – As of today, three of the five Township cell phones can no longer hold a charge. The cost to replace the batteries is $49.00 apiece. We are eligible for updates on our current phones. The cost to update to new phones would be $40.00 each. Emergency Management requested that their phone have e-mail capability, the most inexpensive package would be for all five phones to have e-mail. The cost would be an additional $60.00 per month. The cost of our current contract is $99.00 for the main phone and $9.99 per each additional phone, plus we get a $20.00 credit each month. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by C. Bahnck, to expend up to $200.00 to replace four existing phones, with no increase in service. The motion carried 5-0-0. -The Board directed him to research the DCNR C2P2 Grant program. The application must be submitted electronically by 4 PM on April 21, 2010. The grant application recommends a minimum of three months to prepare the required paperwork. He included a checklist in your folders. He does not believe this can be completed in the allotted time frame, especially since we have yet to identify a property for purchase. The Board recommended that the Township have something in place should another opportunity to apply for grant money arise in the future. -The Board also directed him to inquire about the proper procedure to register the Township Logo. The first step in the process is to secure the services of a trademark attorney. If the board considers moving forward, he will ask our Solicitor to recommend a trademark attorney. -At the last work session he brought to the Board’s attention that he omitted to include the 2009 and 2010 State Fund Budget in the Township Budget. We need two motions to accept them. A motion was made by C. Bahnck, seconded by A. Santopietro, to approve the 2009 State Fund Budget as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. A motion was made by C. Bahnck, seconded by B. Sadow, to approve the 2010 State Fund Budget as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. - He presented for the Board’s approval, a letter allowing Kilmer Insurance to act as our agent to obtain a quote from designated insurance companies. It was the consensus of the Board to have the Treasurer send a letter to Kilmer Insurance permitting them to act as the Township’s agent when obtaining quotes from designated insurance companies. -Tomorrow is our Liquid Fuels Audit. A supervisor must be present to sign the audit. The Treasurer will contact A. Santopietro when the paperwork is ready for signature. -We have begun to receive estimates for the replacement of the Township Building heating system and also a Document Management Service to scan all the Township’s documents. -For the month of January the Zoning Officer/Building Inspector collected $3,838.00 in fees, while billing the Township $3,975.00 for their services. -Bills being presented tonight: General Fund $22,590.03; Escrow Fund, $3,760.82; State Fund, $1,543.69; Open Space Fund, $833.00 -Transfers requested: $833.00 from Open Space Fund to General Fund and $10,000 from the General Fund to the High Yield Money Market. -A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by B. Keyser, to approve the February 17, 2010 Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. -A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by B. Keyser, to approve the February 17, 2010 Bill List as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0. -A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by B. Keyser, to transfer $833.00 from the Open Space Fund to the General Fund and $10,000.00 from the General Fund to the High Yield Money Market. The motion carried 5-0-0.
At 9:50 P.M.,Chair, N. Janyszeski commented that the Board will be meeting in Executive Session to discuss litigation. At 10:55 P.M., Chair, N. Janyszeski commented that the Board met in Executive Session to discuss litigation and real estate.
SUBDIVISIONS: a. Brian McArdle 3-Lot Sudvision TMP# 30-11-105 Sign Final Plans – A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by B. Keyser to sign the Brian McArdle Subdivision Plans TMP# 30-11-105. The motion carried 5-0-0.
b. Dwayne Gross/ Byers Road – TMP# 30-15-33 & -41-1 – Grants extension to April 30, 2010. A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by B. Keyser to approve the extension for the Dwayne Gross/Byers Road, TMP# 30-15-33 & -14-1 and in addition, the Wehrung’s Group Phase II TMP# 30-10-35 granting extensions to April 30, 2010. The motion carried 5-0-0.
LAND DEVELOPMENT:
RELEASE OF ESCROW: a. Funke Minor Subdivisions – TMP# 30-4-72-4; 30-4-72-5 & 30-4-72-13 - $2,284.87 payable to Dr. Alfred Funke. – A motion was made by B. Sadow, seconded by C. Bahnck to release escrows in the amount of $2,284.87 payable to Dr. Alfred Funke. The motion carried 5-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS: a. Tour of Gorham Property Board & Planners - Reschedule – The date set by the Board for a tour of the Gorham Property is Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 9:00 AM. Meet at Veteran’s Park.
NEW BUSINESS: a. Dept. of the Auditor General AG-385 – Motion to approve – A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by B. Sadow, to direct the Treasurer to submit the Dept. of Auditor General AG-385. The motion carried 5-0-0
b. Suburban Realtors Alliance – Update to Data Base – Approval – It was the consensus of the Board to fill out and return the information requested by the Suburban Realtors Alliance.
c. Clean-Up Day – Saturday, April 24, 2010 – The Secretary commented that Allied Waste and any other participants will be gathering recyclable items. She is seeking volunteers to assist. It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with the event.
d. Applications for Park/Recreational Grants – Sen. Robert Mensch – This was discussed during the Treasurer’s Report.
e. Historic Commission – Anne Lyons – Resignation – A motion was made by N. Janyszeski, seconded by B. Sadow, to accept the resignation of Anne Lyons from the Historic Commission. The motion carried 5-0-0. The Board thanked A. Lyons for all her dedicated work.
f. 2009 Planning Commission Report of Activity – Motion to Approve – A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by B. Keyser to approve the 2009 Planning Commission Report of Activity as presented. The motion carried 5-0-0.
Solicitor’s Report:
- B. Sadow discussed the attaining of the Abitibi Recycling Bins (paper/cardboard) for the Township. Keith Deluca will contact Abitibi for additional information.
A motion was made by A. Santopietro, seconded by B. Sadow, to adjourn the Board of Supervisors meeting at 11:10 PM. The motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Arlene E. Eichlin Recording Secretary |