UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2009

 

 

 

 

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, Eugene Fried, Mary Gibbs Kershner and Eugene Marks. Staff members in attendance were Larry Buck, Road Foreman, Jeffrey Ashman, Fire Marshal, Edward Skypala, Township Solicitor and Stanley Seitzinger, Jr., Township Manager.

 

Citizen Comments

 

Citizens in attendance did not present comments.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to approve the Upper Hanover Township Workshop Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2009 and the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 14, 2009.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried affirmatively.

 

Monthly Invoices

 

1.  Previously Paid Bills Authorization

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the previously paid bills in the amount of $50.00 from the General Fund.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried affirmatively.

 

2.  Approval of Monthly Bills to be Paid

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve the monthly bills payment in the General Fund in the amount of $77,334.80, Municipal Facility Fund in the amount of $7,410.59, Escrow Fund in the amount of $52,381.55, Open Space Fund in the amount of $180.00 and Parks and Recreation Fund in the amount of $9,328.24. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried affirmatively.

 

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

 

Mr. Ashman entered the monthly Fire Marshal Report into the record.

 

5.  Road Report

 

Manager Seitzinger entered the monthly Road Report into the record.

 

(Mr. Fried entered the meeting at 7:05 p.m.)

 

Special Items

 

1.  Resolution #2009-18, Five Year Service Recognition Award – Donna L. Tino

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to adopt Resolution #2009-18.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Public Hearing – Ordinance #2009-02 – Route 663 and Geryville Pike Rezoning

 

(Mr. Skypala assumed the Chair of the meeting.)

 

Mr. Skypala, in the presence of a court reporter, entered the public notice, a copy of the proposed Ordinance #2009-02, the proof of publication, posting certifications and the transmittal to the Montgomery County Law Library into the record.  Mr. Skypala inquired if anyone in attendance wished to present testimony for or against the rezoning.  No one in attendance indicated a wish to present testimony for or against the proposed rezoning.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopted Ordinance #2009-02.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

3.  Public Hearing – Ordinance #2009-04 – Street Addresses

 

Mr. Skypala entered the public notice, proof of publication, proposed Ordinance #2009-04 and a transmittal letter to the Montgomery County Law Library into the record.  Mr. Skypala noted that the ordinance was recommended by the fire companies servicing Upper Hanover Township and by the Township Fire Marshal.  Mr. Skypala inquired if anyone in attendance wished to present testimony for or against the proposed ordinance.  Bill Fanley of Ziegler Road inquired as to why the ordinance was considered necessary.  Fire Marshal Ashman explained the purpose of establishing standardized address signs.  Mr. Fanley inquired as to why the ordinance required specific sizes, dimensions and backgrounds.  Mr. Skypala explained the purpose of the uniformity of design to assist emergency services in more easily recognizing street addresses.  Mr. Fanley questioned why the local government should mandate these requirements to the citizens.  Larry Tarr of Adams Road inquired if the address numbers must be purchased from local fire companies.  Fire Marshal Ashman explained that address numbers can be purchased directly from sign companies as long as the signs conform to the ordinance requirements.

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to adopt Ordinance #2009-04 with an amendment to add the word “reflective” into the ordinance.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

4.  Public Hearing – Ordinance #2009-03 – Outdoor Burners and Windmills

 

Mr. Skypala explained that the ordinance would be tabled until the next meeting in order to re-advertise the ordinance as per requirements.

 

Thomas Garis of 1052 Runaway Drive presented comments regarding outdoor wood burners and windmills.

 

(The Chair of the meeting was returned to Chairman Fain.)

 

Planning and Zoning

 

1.  Zoning 

 

Manager Seitzinger reviewed current and scheduled zoning matters.

 

2. Subdivisions and Land Developments

 

A.  Waivers Approval – YMCA Land Development

 

The matter was tabled for further review.

 

B.  Advanced Gas Land Development Plan Final Approval – Resolution #2009-20

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Resolution #2009-20.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

C.  Arcadia Estates Waiver – Section 410

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve a subdivision and land development waiver to Section 410, Sidewalks and Curbs for the Arcadia Estates Subdivision.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

D.  Stauffer/Putera Planning Module

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the Stauffer/Putera Planning Module.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

E.  Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Agreement - Chipakitis

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Agreement for the Chipakitis property subject to a requirement that the agreement be worked into the deed for the property.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

Committee Reports

 

1.  Budget and Finance Committee

 

A report was not presented.

 

2.  Personnel Committee

 

A report was not presented.

 

3.  Open Space, Parks and Recreation Committee

 

Mr. Fried announced the May 30, 2009 Macoby Run Park Dedication set for 9:00 a.m.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to authorize Mr. Fried and the Township Manager to proceed with the purchase of bleachers as per the Community Revitalization grant.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously. 

 

Mr. Fried noted that he will obtain information from a local arborist regarding maintenance of trees at Camelot Park.

 

4.  Renewable Energy and Recycling Task Force

 

Mrs. Bieler reported that the committee is moving forward on reviewing recycling requirements.  Mrs. Bieler explained that the proposed Renewable Energy and Recycling kiosk information was under review.  The proposed Renewable Energy Forum is set for September.

 

5.  Regional Planning and Planning Committee

 

Mrs. Bieler provided an overview of current activities.

 

6.  Sewage and Water Committee

 

Mr. Marks presented comments regarding the joint workshop meeting.

 

7.  Bridge and Road Committee

 

Additional items regarding the Parks and Recreation Committee were presented as follows by Mr. Fried:

 

It was noted that 8 benches and three additional doggy stations were ordered.  Mr. Fried commented upon ongoing vandalism issues at Macoby Run Park involving the port-o-let.  The

 

Board of Supervisors agreed that effort should proceed with preparing the 55 gallon drums for use at the various parks.  An overview of the Camelot Park Dedication program was reviewed.

Mrs. Kershner recommended that Carl Schnable be invited to the Camelot Park Dedication.

 

A brief discussion ensued regarding Board of Supervisor approval for use of the park facilities, including athletic fields, at Camelot Park.

 

The Road Survey was rescheduled to May 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

 

A discussion ensued regarding a response to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission letter concerning the Fruitville Road Bridge.

 

Manager Seitzinger was requested to obtain a written explanation of future understandings with Montgomery County regarding the different options for the bridge.

 

Township Engineer’s Report

 

The monthly LTL Consultants Township Engineer Report was entered into the record.

 

Township Manager’s Report

 

1.  Probation Completion – Debora Ervin

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to accept the probation completion for Debora Ervin to be effective May 5, 2009.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Township Solicitor’s Report

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to authorize hiring John Wetzel of Swartz Campbell, LLC to represent Upper Hanover Township as council regarding the bankruptcy case of T.H.P. Inc.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Old Business

 

Old business was not presented.

 

New Business

 

1.  Proposed Saldo Amendment – Fire Marshal Plan Review

 

Mr. Fain indicated that the proposed ordinance had been discussed by the Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to authorize advertisement of the proposed Saldo Amendment to require Fire Marshal plan review.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Todd and Lisa Brunner Real Estate Tax Refund - $21.00

 

Mr. Fried moved to authorize the issuance of a $21.00 real estate tax refund for Todd and Lisa Brunner.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

3.  Robert and Helen Yerger Real Estate Tax Refund - $75.00

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to authorize the issuance of a $75.00 real estate tax refund for Robert and Helen Yerger.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

4. Resolution #2009-19, Inter-Fund Transfer from Capital Reserve to Escrow Fund

 

Mr. Marks moved to adopt Resolution #2009-19.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Adjournment

 

Mr. Marks moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr.

                                                                                    Township Manager