UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13, 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 Edward A. Skypala, Township Solicitor, Larry Buck, Road Foreman, Jeffrey Ashman, Fire Marshal and Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr., Township Manager.

 

Citizen Comments

 

Citizens in attendance did not present comments.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve the Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Joint Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2009.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Monthly Invoices

 

1.  Previously Paid Bills Authorization

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the previously paid bills in the amount of $7,721.10 from the General Fund. The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

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 $109,089.62, Municipal Facility Fund in the amount of $616.17, Escrow Fund in the amount of $9,437.56, Parks and Recreation Fund in the amount of $2,275.82 and State Aid Fund in the amount of $78,483.87.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

A.  2009 Fire Relief Distribution

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the following 2009 Fire Relief Distribution:

 

            East Greenville Fire Company   $16,319.83

            Pennsburg Fire Company                      $16,319.83

            Red Hill Fire Company             $16,319.84

 

The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks 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.  Resolution #2009-28 – Five Year Service Recognition Award – Eugene R. Marks,  

     Upper Hanover Authority

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Resolution #2009-28.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Resolution #2009-29 – Ten Year Service Recognition Award – Kevin Carl, Upper

     Hanover Authority

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Resolution #2009-29.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Copies of the resolutions were presented to Mr. Marks and Mr. Carl.

 

3.  Public Hearing – Ordinance #2009-03, Windmills and Outdoor Wood Burners

 

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

 

Mr. Skypala entered the public hearing notice, transmittal letter to the Montgomery County Law Library, the proof of publication and a copy of the proposed Ordinance #2009-03 into the record. 

 

Mr. Skypala requested testimony from citizens in attendance.  Joel Silver of 3090 Wentlings Schoolhouse Road questioned why horizontal and vertical turbines were not defined by the ordinance, why roof mounted systems were not included and why there was not any designation on height restrictions. 

 

Mr. Marks indicated that the Ordinance is a general guide and that variances can be requested.  Further discussion ensued regarding how the required lot size was determined.  Mrs. Bieler inquired if the Upper Hanover Township Planning Commission received the comments of Mr. Silver.

 

Mr. Marks moved to adopt Ordinance #2009-03.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fain.  The motion carried with Mr. Marks, Mr. Fain and Mr. Fried voting yes and with Mrs. Kershner and Mrs. Bieler voting no.

 

The Chair of the meeting was returned to Chairman Fain.

 

Mr. Silver presented additional comments regarding the Ordinance.  The Board of Supervisors recommended that Mr. Silver attend an upcoming Planning Commission Workshop Meeting to discuss possible future amendments. 

 

Planning and Zoning

 

1.  Zoning

 

New zoning submittals were not received.

 

2.  Subdivisions and Land Developments

 

A.  Waivers Approval – YMCA Land Development

 

There was nothing new to report.

 

B.  Pogue Tract Minor Subdivision Waiver Approvals

 

There was nothing new to report.

 

C.  Stauffer/Putera Waiver Approvals

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the following waivers:

 

• Section 402.7 & 403.6.B – Road Widening, Knight Road

• Section 410 – Sidewalk, Curb, Storm Sewer, Knight Road

• Section 411 – Traffic Impact Study

• Section 414.2 – Lot Depth to Width Ratio

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

• Section 419 – Lighting

• Section 500.4.B – Street Trees, Knight Road

 

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

 

D. Resolution #2009-31 - Advanced Gas Development Agreement

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to adopt Resolution #2009-31.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried affirmatively with Mr. Fain abstaining from the vote.

 

Committee Reports

 

1.  Budget and Finance Committee

 

The Board of Supervisors reviewed the preliminary draft of the proposed 2010 Upper Hanover Township Budget.

 

2.  Personnel Committee

 

A report was not presented.

 

3.  Open Space, Parks and Recreation Committee

 

Mr. Fried presented a request from the Upper Perk Youth Baseball Association regarding the possible installation of a batting cage at Camelot Park.  Mrs. Bieler indicated that she is opposed to the batting cage proposal.  Discussion ensued.  The Township Manager was requested to contact the insurance carrier to determine whether they have a recommendation on the installation of a batting cage.  Mr. Fain indicated that he is not in favor of the batting cage proposal.  Mr. Marks stated that he does not have a problem with the installation of a batting cage as long as the group that installs the batting cage also conducts required maintenance.  Mrs. Kershner did not express an opinion.  Mr. Fried indicated that he does not see a problem with the batting cage as long as additional information is provided. 

 

Mr. Fried reported upon the scheduled Bare Root Tree Planting Program as scheduled for November 6, 2009.  Mrs. Kershner and Mr. Fried reviewed the planting plan at Camelot Park. 

 

4.  Renewable Energy and Recycling Task Force

 

Mrs. Bieler commented upon the recent Renewable Energy Forum.  Mrs. Bieler commented upon a recent article in the Township News Magazine on recycling.

 

5.  Regional Planning and Planning Committee

 

Mrs. Bieler commented upon a proposed sustainability chapter in the Regional Comprehensive Plan.  Mrs. Bieler commented that the use of solar power may be functional at Camelot Park.

 

6.  Sewage and Water Committee

 

Mr. Marks reported that the Hereford Water Line Project is under way.

 

 

Mr. Marks reported upon the Authority hiring of a new Office Manager, Marita Thompson.

 

7.  Bridge and Road Committee

 

A.  PennDot Five Year Winter Traffic Services Agreement, Resolution #2009-30

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve Resolution #2009-30.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

B.  Church Road Pipe Replacement Project Bid Award

 

Mr. Marks moved to award the Church Road Pipe Replacement Project Bid to Floyd G. Hersh in the amount $32,420.00.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

8.  Public Safety Committee

 

Mr. Fried reported upon the agreement with the Upper Perkiomen Police Department for response services as approved at the Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors Workshop Meeting of October 12, 2009.

 

Mr. Fain indicated that the Upper Perkiomen Valley Regional Police Department requested the scheduling of a meeting to discuss possible future Regional Police services options.  Mr. Fain polled the Board and all Township Supervisors were in agreement that a subcommittee of the Board of Supervisors should attend such a meeting. 

 

Township Engineer’s Report

 

The monthly report from LTL Consultants was entered into the record.

 

1.  Escrow Releases

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve the St. Luke’s Land Development Escrow Release #2 in the amount $518,492.53. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve the Macoby Woods Escrow Release #18 in the amount of $77,778.00.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.  The Board of Supervisors agreed that the $15,000.00 donation associated with the escrow release should be deposited in the Upper Hanover Township Open Space Fund.

 

Township Manager’s Report

 

A report was not presented.

 

 

 

Township Solicitor’s Report

 

A report was not presented.

 

Old Business

 

1.  Building Permit Refund – 2107 Mack Road – Tom McCabe

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to approve the building permit refund for Tom McCabe in the amount of $303.40.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

2.  World War II Monument Bid Awards

 

Mr. Marks moved to award the concrete work to Advanced Excavating, LLC in the amount of $5,225.00.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Marks moved to award the flag pole lighting bid award to Robert A. Graber Electrical Wiring in the amount of $6,300.00.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

New Business

 

1.  Ordinance #2009-07 – Authorization to Advertise Stop Intersection Ordinance

     Amendment

 

Mr. Marks moved to authorize advertisement of proposed Ordinance #2009-07.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Ordinance #2009-08 – Authorization to Advertise Campgrounds Ordinance

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to authorize advertisement of proposed Ordinance #2009-08.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

Adjournment

 

Mr. Marks moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr.

                                                                                    Township Manager