UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2018

Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Eugene Fried followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Township Supervisors in attendance were Dorothy Diehl, Richard Fain, Ben Fiorito, Eugene Fried, and Steven Rothenberger. Staff members in attendance were Joseph Bresnan, Township Solicitor, Michael Wetzel, Fire Marshal, John Weber, Township Engineer and Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr., Township Manager.

Citizen Comments

Citizens in attendance did not present comments.

Zoning – Paul Housekneht

Paul Houseknecht of 739 Valley Road reviewed and discussed the zoning hearing application scheduled for a January 17, 2018 hearing date. Mr. Houseknecht explained that the request was for a variance to Section 500-1401 of the Upper Hanover Township Zoning Ordinance to allow the operation of a small auto repair shop at an existing garage at 739 Valley Road, East Greenville, PA. The Board of Supervisors chose not to take a position on the application.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Rothenberger moved to approve the December 11, 2017 Workshop Meeting Minutes, the December 12, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes and the January 2, 2018 Organization Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Diehl and carried unanimously.

A. Previously Paid Bills Authorization

Mr. Fain moved to approve the previously paid bills in the amount of $14,811.14 from the General Fund. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rothenberger and carried unanimously.

B. Approval of Monthly Bills to be Paid

Mrs. Diehl moved to approve the monthly bills payment in the General Fund in the amount of $58,695.29, Parks and Recreation Fund in the amount of $1,027.13 and Escrow Fund in the amount of $29,888.89. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fiorito and carried unanimously.

Monthly Reports

A. Treasurer’s Report

Manager Seitzinger entered the monthly Treasurer’s Report into the record.

B. State Police Report

Manager Seitzinger entered the State Police Report into the record.

C. Building Inspector Report

Manager Seitzinger entered the Building Inspector Report into the record.

D. Fire Marshal Report

Fire Marshal Wetzel entered the Fire Marshal Report into the record.

E. Road Report

Manager Seitzinger entered the Road Report into the record.

Special Items

Special items were not listed on the agenda.

Planning and Zoning

A. Zoning

1. Zoning Hearing, J. Martin Firely for Firely Enterprises, LLC –

Tim Jones reviewed and discussed with the Board of Supervisors the J. Martin Firely for Firely Enterprises, LLC zoning hearing application scheduled for a hearing date of January 17, 2018. The application is a request for a special exception to Section 500-201 of the Upper Hanover Township Zoning to allow a change in use at an existing residential property to a group use home at 2573 Geryville Pike, Pennsburg, PA. Mr. Fain moved to approve that Upper Hanover Township not send legal counsel to oppose the J. Martin Firely for Firely Enterprises, LLC zoning hearing application scheduled for a hearing on January 17, 2018. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried. The motion was not approved by a vote of 3 to 2 with Mr. Fain and Mr. Fried voting yes and with Mr. Fiorito, Mrs. Diehl and Mr. Rothenberger voting no.

Mr. Fiorito moved to authorize the Township legal counsel to attend the January 17, 2018 Upper Hanover Township Zoning Hearing to enter an appearance in opposition to the J. Martin Firely for Firely Enterprises, LLC zoning hearing application. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rothenberger and carried unanimously.

B. Subdivision and Land Developments

Subdivision and Land Development business was not presented.

2018 Committee Appointments by Chairman

Mr. Fried recommended that the 2017 committee appointments remain the same for 2018.

Committee Reports

A. Budget and Finance Committee – Mr. Fiorito

Mr. Fiorito reported upon the recent placement of certificates of deposits.

B. Personnel Committee – Mrs. Diehl and Mr. Fain

A report was not presented.

C. Open Space, Parks and Recreation Committee – Mr. Fried

Mr. Fried indicated that a December Parks and Recreation Committee was not held.

D. Regional Planning and Planning Committee – Mr. Rothenberger

Mr. Rothenberger reported that a December Regional Planning Commission Meeting was not held.

E. Sewage and Water Committee – Mr. Fiorito

Mr. Fiorito requested if the Board of Supervisors will allow the installation of a temporary driveway for deliveries for the TUHA lab building construction project. Mr. Fiorito indicated that following completion of the project the temporary driveway would be removed and the area fully restored. The Board of Supervisors agreed to allow the temporary driveway as noted.

Mr. Fiorito provided an update on the waterline replacement project. The Board of Supervisors authorized the preparation of a letter of support for a grant application related to the waterline replacement project.

F. Bridge and Road Committee – Mr. Fiorito and Mr. Fried

A report was not presented.

G. Public Safety Committee – Mr. Fiorito and Mr. Fried

A report was not presented.

Township Engineer’s Report

Township Engineer John Weber presented the monthly Engineer’s Report.

Township Manager’s Report

A report was not presented.

Township Solicitor’s Report

Mr. Bresnan reported upon the withdrawal of legal appeals relating to the middle school project.

The Board of Supervisors authorized the Township Solicitor to attend an upcoming district court hearing on the John Larson property maintenance matter.

Old Business

A. Resolution #2018-01A – Fee Schedule Amendment

Mrs. Diehl moved to adopt Resolution #2018-01A. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rothenberger and carried unanimously.

B. Planning Commission Appointment Term: 1/1/18 – 12/31/21

Stefan Laessig reviewed and discussed his interest in continuing with another term on the Township Planning Commission.

Mr. Fiorito moved to appoint Stefan Laessig to the Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission for a term of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fain and carried unanimously.

C. Electric Post Driver Proposals

Manager Seitzinger presented a summary of the proposals obtained for the proposed purchase of an electric post driver. Mr. Fiorito requested that additional quotations through the Co-Stars purchasing program be obtained for further information prior to making an award. The matter was tabled.

D. Stop Sign – Montgomery Avenue and Walt Road

Sandy Kassel of the Upper Perkiomen School District reviewed and discussed the need for the installation of a fourth stop sign at the intersection of Montgomery Avenue and Walt Road. Discussion ensued.

Mrs. Diehl moved to approve advertisement of the proposed ordinance for consideration at the February 13, 2018 Board of Supervisors meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fiorito and carried unanimously.

E. School Warning Flashers

Brandon Reed inquired on the status of the installation of the planned school warning flashers in the vicinity of the Upper Perkiomen Middle School construction project. Manager Seitzinger was requested to confer with the Township Traffic Engineer to determine the planned installation schedule.

F. Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program

The Board of Supervisors discussed a possible availability of grant funding through the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program for the required improvements to create the sidewalk connection to the Upper Perkiomen School District Middle School location. The Board of Supervisors agreed to coordinate activities with the Upper Perkiomen School District in order to submit an application by the due date.

G. Small Animals Zoning Ordinance Amendment

A brief discussion ensued regarding the status of the proposed zoning ordinance amendment regarding small animals.

H. Route 663/Geryville Pike Traffic Signal

Manager Seitzinger presented information regarding an option to have PennDot District 6 conduct a counts and analysis along with the creation of a revised signal plan for the Route 663 and Geryville Pike traffic signal. It was noted that if the counts and analysis recommend the installation of equipment for a left turn phase/phases, Upper Hanover Township would need to commit to completing the updates. The Board of Supervisors agreed that the Township Manager should further discuss specifics with the PennDot representative and report further to the Board of Supervisors.

I. Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program

Sandy Kassel stated that the Upper Perkiomen School District would be pleased to work with Upper Hanover Township on the preparation of a Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program relating to the proposed sidewalk.

J. DCNR Recreation Grant Application

The Board of Supervisors discussed options for a possible grant application to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Board of Supervisors recommended that a grant application should be submitted for a planning grant.

K. Resolution #2018-05 – House Bill 1620

Mr. Rothenberger moved to adopt Resolution #2018-05. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Diehl and carried unanimously.

Adjournment

Mrs. Diehl moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rothenberger and carried unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr.

Township Manager