UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 8, 2020

Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting of December 8, 2020, conducted remotely through the Zoom platform, was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Fried. Township Supervisors in attendance were Dorothy Diehl, Eugene Fried, Ben Fiorito, Steven Rothenberger and Timothy Woodward. Staff members in attendance were Joseph Bresnan, Township Solicitor, John Weber, Township Engineer, Mike Wetzel, Fire Marshal, and Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr., Township Manager.

(Chairman Fried announced that an executive session concerning a personnel matter had preceded the meeting.)

Citizen Comments

George Liado expressed concern about storm drainage issues at Eleventh Street and Frye Road.

Suzanne Cleary inquired concerning the status of Powderbourne. Mr. Bresnan reported upon a prior discussion concerning filing a lawsuit on the Powderbourne Gun Club.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Fiorito moved to approve the November 10, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Diehl and carried unanimously.

A. Previously Paid Bills Authorization

There were not any previously paid bills listed for approval.

B. Approval of Monthly Bills to be Paid

Mr. Rothenberger moved to approve the monthly bills payment in the General Fund in the amount of $322,750.74, Parks and Recreation Fund in the amount of $670.38 and Escrow Fund in the amount of $13,296.44. The motion was seconded by Mr. Woodward 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

Mike Wetzel entered the Fire Marshal Report into the record.

E. Road Report

Manager Seitzinger entered the Road Report into the record.

Special Items

A. Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Coordinator

Mike Wetzel reviewed the hours and staffing requirements related to the Fire Marshal and the Emergency Management Coordinator position. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Wetzel thanked the Board for their years of support during his service as the Upper Hanover Township Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator.

B. Conditional Use Public Hearing – Rocky Schnaars, 2574 Kutztown Road

The Chair of the meeting was turned over to Township Solicitor Bresnan.

In the presence of a court reporter Mr. Bresnan entered the following exhibits into the record:

• Conditional Use Application

• Public Hearing Notice

• Proof of Publication

• Certification of Posting

• Certified Mailing Receipts

• November 5, 2020 Transmittal Letter to Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission

• Montgomery County Planning Commission Review Letter Dated November 18, 2020

None of the participants in the zoom meeting requested to participate or provide questions. Mr. Schnaars explained the purpose of the application and indicated that he had not heard objections from any of the neighbors.

Further questions and comments were not presented. The Chair of the meeting was turned over to Chairman Eugene Fried.

Mr. Woodward moved to approve the Rocky Schnaars Conditional Use Hearing for 2574 Kutztown Road. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Diehl and carried affirmatively with Mr. Rothenberger abstaining from the vote.

Planning and Zoning

A. Green Meadows Subdivision Final Approval

It was noted that the Upper Hanover Planning Commission recommended final approval of the Green Meadows Subdivision. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Fiorito moved to adopt Resolution #2020-16. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Diehl and carried unanimously.

Committee Reports

A. Budget and Finance Committee – Mr. Fiorito

1. Resolution #2020-15 – Adoption of 2021 Township Budget

Mr. Fiorito provided an overview of the 2021 Township Budget. Mr. Rothenberger moved to approve Resolution #2020-15 to adopt the 2021 Upper Hanover Township Budget. The motion was seconded by Mr. Woodward and carried unanimously.

2. 2021 Salary Schedule

Mr. Rothenberger moved to approve a 2 percent annual 2021 salary schedule increase. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fiorito and carried unanimously.

3. Certificates of Deposit

Mr. Fiorito reported upon the return of two certificates of deposit that were placed in new certificates of deposit at Embassy Bank.

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

A report was not presented.

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

It was noted that a December Parks and Recreation Committee meeting will not be held.

D. Regional Planning and Planning Committee – Mr. Rothenberger

There was nothing new to report.

E. Sewage and Water Committee – Mr. Fiorito

Mr. Fiorito reported that the 537 plan revision will be scheduled for January consideration.

The Acorn Lofts project in Palm has been in communication with The Upper Hanover Authority concerning project needs.

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

There was nothing new to report.

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

Chairman Fried indicated he has discussed the 2021 budget with the local and state police departments concerning available funds.

Township Engineer’s Report

Mr. Fiorito moved to approve the following escrow releases:

1. Reserve at Macoby Run Phase 4A, Release No. 23 - $53,880.90

2. Reserve at Macoby Run Phase 4B, Release No. 15 - $21,334.60

The motion was seconded by Mr. Rothenberger and carried unanimously.

Township Engineer Weber presented the monthly Engineer’s Report.

Township Manager’s Report

There was nothing new to report.

Township Solicitor’s Report

Mrs. Diehl moved to authorize the Township Solicitor to file a contempt of court lawsuit relating to the Powderbourne Gun Club after the first of January 2021 if a solution is not determined between the parties. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried affirmatively with Mr. Fried, Mr. Fiorito. Mrs. Diehl and Mr. Woodward voting yes and with Mr. Rothenberger voting no.

Old Business

A. Authorization to Advertise Perkiomen Study Area Act 537 Plan Update

The matter was tabled and will be scheduled at a January Board of Supervisors meeting.

B. 2021 Appointment Updates

The Board of Supervisors reviewed an update on the annual appointments.

C. John Miller and Son Recycling Agreement – One Year Extension

The Board of Supervisors agreed to allow the current agreement with John Miller and Sons for the yard and leaf waste recycling to continue for one additional year.

D. Vineyard Open Space

The Board of Supervisors reviewed the ownership of the 16.87 acres (Lot 14) at The Vineyards housing development and determined that the ownership of the lot is under the name of The Vineyards Community Association as of October 7, 2020. Prior to this date, Lot 14 was owned by Vineyards Properties LLC and not Upper Hanover Township. While the record plan offered the dedication of Lot 14 to Upper Hanover Township, the ownership was never transferred to Upper Hanover Township. The Board of Supervisors unanimously determined that since Lot 14 is not owned by Upper Hanover Township the Township will no longer conduct mowing or other maintenance activities at this location and the Township is not interested in acquiring the parcel in the future.

E. Planning Commission Appointment

Mr. Fried indicated that Mr. Woodward indicated interest in an appointment to the regular Planning Commission appointment. Mr. Fried indicated that consideration of a new alternate was under review.

F. James Road Traffic Study

Dennis Sharp, The Vineyards, inquired on the status of the James Road traffic study. Chairman Fried indicated that options will be under review at the next staff meeting.

G. Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator

The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to appoint Shawn Shade as the Upper Hanover Township Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator effective January 1, 2021 at an hourly rate of $17 per hour.

New Business

A. Refunds and Escrow Release

Mr. Rothenberger moved to approve the following refunds and escrow release:

1. Knoll, Inc. Building Permit Refund - $48.50

2. Sweetwater Golf, Inc. Final SALDO Escrow Release - $640.05

3. Richard and Esther Hagg Tax Refund - $89.00

The motion was seconded by Mr. Woodward and carried unanimously.

B. Salary Schedule

Further discussion ensued concerning the second page of the salary schedule that increased the CDL snowplow driver hourly rate to $20 then increased the non CDL driver rate to $15.

Adjournment

Mr. Rothenberger moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Diehl and carried unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr.

Township Manager