UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2010

 

 

Call to Order and Roll Call

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Fain followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Township Supervisors in attendance were Shannan Bieler, Richard Fain, Ben Fiorito, Eugene Fried and Mary Gibbs Kershner.  Staff members in attendance were Edward Skypala, Township Solicitor, Larry Buck, Road Foreman, Jeffrey Ashman, Fire Marshal and Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr., Township Manager.

 

Chairman Fain welcomed Mr. Fiorito to the Board of Supervisors.

 

Citizen Comments

 

Citizens in attendance did not present comments.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to approve the Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors Workshop Meeting Minutes of December 7, 2009, the Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting Minutes of December 8, 2009 and the Organization Meeting Minutes of January 4, 2010 with an amendment to the January 4, 2010 Organization Meeting Minutes at page 2 to eliminate the statement that Mrs. Bieler did not vote on the motion to appoint LTL Consultants as the Township Engineer, Zoning Officer and Building Inspector and to instead note that Mrs. Bieler voted no to the motion.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously. 

 

1.  Previously Paid Bills Authorization

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the previously paid bills in the amount of $13,409.58 from the General Fund. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Approval of Monthly Bills to be Paid

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the monthly bills payment in the General Fund in the amount of $70,471.43, Escrow Fund in the amount of $9,991.88, Open Space Fund in the amount of $236.00 and Parks and Recreation Fund in the amount of $665.42.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Monthly Reports

 

1.  Treasurer’s Report

 

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

 

2.  State Police Report

 

Manager Seitzinger entered the monthly State Police Report into the record.

 

3.  Building Inspector Report

 

Manager Seitzinger entered the monthly Building Inspector Report into the record.

 

4.  Fire Marshal Report

 

Jeffrey Ashman entered the monthly Fire Marshal’s Report into the record.

 

5.  Road Report

 

Larry Buck entered the monthly Road Report into the record.

 

Special Items

 

1. Adams Road and James Road Stop Signs/Speed Limits

 

Chairman Fain indicated that PennDot planned to install an additional stop sign at the intersection of Adams Road and Bethesda Church Road.

 

Representatives of the Vineyards Homeowners Association indicated that they did not expect the installation of a 4-way stop sign at the pedestrian crossing.  The representatives requested the installation of additional free standing pedestrian crossing signs at the intersection.  Further discussion ensued regarding the possible trimming of trees where the paved walking trail intersects with James Road.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to authorize the purchase of two additional free standing pedestrian signs to be attached to the pavement at a purchase cost of $706.00.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

Robert Piccone also requested that the Township Road Foreman look into the possible purchase of other pedestrian warning signs.

 

2.  Public Hearing, Ordinance #2010-01, Mandatory Public Sewer Hook-Up

     Ordinance

 

The Chair of the meeting was turned over to Township Solicitor Edward Skypala.  Mr. Skypala entered the public notice, proof of publication, transmittal to the Montgomery County Law Library and the proposed Ordinance #2010-01 into the record. 

 

Mr. Skypala inquired if any citizens in attendance wished to present comments.  Tom Frieze of Geryville Pike presented questions about the project.  Mr. Skypala reported that there were not any present intentions to expand sewer service on Geryville Pike. 

 

Paul Youman of East Buck Road asked if notices would be sent out to an area if public sewer are proposed.  Mr. Skypala reported that The Upper Hanover Authority would provide official notification if sewers are extended.

 

Richard Specht of 2206 East Buck Road presented questions regarding hooking up an existing property to the public sewer.  Discussion ensued regarding the proposed purchase of the Novelli Tract by the Upper Perkiomen Valley Ambulance and how that would impact the extension of sewer lines in the area.  Further discussion ensued.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Ordinance #2010-01.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fain and carried affirmatively with Mrs. Bieler, Mr. Fain, Mr. Fried and Mrs. Kershner voting yes and Mr. Fiorito voting no.

 

The Chair of the meeting was returned to Chairman Fain.

 

3.  Authorization to Advertise Amended Street Address Number Ordinance

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to authorize an advertisement to amend the Street Address Number Ordinance.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

Planning and Zoning

 

1.  Zoning

 

Mr. Fain noted that two Township citizens will be scheduled for interviews for the Zoning Hearing Board Alternate position.

 

2.  Subdivisions and Land Developments

 

A.  Landis Tract Minor Subdivision Sewage Facilities Planning Module

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the Landis Tract Minor Subdivision Sewage Facilities Planning Module.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried.  The motion carried affirmatively with Mr. Fain, Mr. Fiorito, Mr. Fried and Mrs. Kershner voting yes and Mrs. Bieler abstaining from the vote.

 

B. Pogue Tract Waivers

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the following waivers:

 

·        Section 410 – Sidewalk, Curb, Storm Sewer, Geryville Pike

·        Section 411 – Traffic Impact Study

·        Section 414.6 - Lot Lines Perpendicular to Right-of-way, Between Lot 1 & 2

·        Section 415 – Rear Lotting

·        Section 415.4.C – Rear Lots Prohibited on Arterial Streets

·        Section 415.2.F – Nested Flag Lots Prohibited

·        Sections 402.7 & 403.6.B – Widening of Geryville Pike

·        Section 406.2.B – Driveway Intersection Spacing

 

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

Committee Reports

 

1.  2010 Committee Appointments by Chairman

 

The Board of Supervisors agreed upon the following 2010 committee appointments:

 

A.  Budget and Finance Committee – Mr. Fiorito

 

B.  Personnel Committee – Mrs. Kershner and Mr. Fried

 

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

 

D.  Renewable Energy and Recycling Task Force – Mrs. Bieler and Mrs. Kershner

 

E.  Regional Planning and Planning Committee – Mrs. Bieler as the Chairman and

              Mrs. Kershner as the Alternate

 

F.  Sewage and Water Committee – Mr. Fain with Mrs. Bieler as the Alternate

 

G.  Bridge and Road Committee – Mr. Fried

 

H.  Public Safety Committee – Mr. Fried and Mrs. Kershner

           

2.  Park Use Agreements

 

Mr. Fried moved to authorize entering into Park Use Agreements with the Upper Perk Youth Girls Softball League and the Upper Perk Youth Baseball Association.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously. 

 

The Board of Supervisors agreed that future Park Use Agreements can be authorized by Mr. Fried making use of the same format for the Agreement.  The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed with this procedure. 

 

Township Engineer’s Report

 

The monthly Engineer’s Report was entered into the record. 

 

Township Manager’s Report

 

1. Emergency Management Coordinator Appointment

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to appoint Jeffrey Ashman as the Upper Hanover Township Emergency Management Coordinator with Larry Buck as the Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator for 2010.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

2. Megan’s Law Postings

 

Manager Seitzinger provided information regarding the response from the Township’s insurance carrier. 

 

Mrs. Bieler reported that she reviewed the Megan’s Law website and wished to assemble additional information for the consideration of the Board of Supervisors. 

 

Mrs. Kershner indicated her support of the proposed posting program.

 

Mr. Fiorito expressed concern that proper procedures be followed in order to avoid lawsuits against the Township.

 

Mrs. Bieler requested that Lt. Buckley attend an upcoming meeting to provide comments.

 

A resident inquired if there is a problem with sex offenders in the area. 

 

Jackie Fiorito indicated that her review showed there was one Megan’s Law listing identified as a sexually violent predator (SVP) in the Upper Perkiomen Valley Region with the one person listed as being a resident of Pennsburg Borough.

 

Bill Fenley expressed concern that if the postings are not kept completely up to date that liability issues could arise.  Mrs. Bieler presented additional comments.

 

3. Lower Milford Township Quarry Letter

 

Manager Seitzinger indicated that LTL Consultants could complete a comment letter regarding the Quarry Land Development project proposed for Lower Milford Township in an amount not to exceed $500.00.

 

Mrs. Kershner expressed her opposition to sending the letter.  Mr. Fain explained why the Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission felt it was appropriate to forward comments on the project.  Mr. Fiorito noted that the Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission recommended that a comment letter be sent regarding the project.  Jackie Fiorito explained the reasoning of the Planning Commission as to why the Planning Commission felt that a review of the project was a sound idea. 

 

 

Mr. Fiorito moved to authorize LTL Consultants to complete the Quarry Land Development review letter for an amount not to exceed $500.00.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried.  The motion carried affirmatively with Mr. Fain, Mr. Fiorito and Mr. Fried voting yes and with Mrs. Kershner and Mrs. Bieler voting no. 

 

Township Solicitor’s Report

 

A report was not presented.

 

Old Business

 

Old business was not presented.

 

New Business

 

1.  Scheduling of Pension Trustees Meeting

 

A Pension Trustees Meeting was scheduled for February 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

 

2. Authorization to Bid Propane Contract

 

Mr. Fiorito inquired as to whether a state or county piggy back bid existed regarding the purchase of propane.  Mr. Seitzinger indicated that he had checked on that matter and was unable to locate a piggy back bid for propane.

 

Mr. Fried moved to authorize the bidding of the propane contract.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

3. Resolution #2010-02, 2010 Mileage Rate

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to adopt Resolution #2010-02.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

4. Resolution #2010-03, 2010 Health Insurance Co-Pay

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Resolution #2010-03.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

5.  Resolution #2010-04, Quakertown National Bank Signature Resolution

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Resolution #2010-04.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

6.  Service Patches

 

Mr. Fried presented a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Committee for either Upper Hanover Township or the Upper Perkiomen Valley Region to develop a service patch for citizen volunteer projects.  The Board of Supervisors expressed a general concurrence with the service patch idea.

 

Adjournment

 

Mr. Fiorito moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr.

                                                                                    Township Manager