WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP

PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2006

 

1.     CALL TO ORDER – 6:30

2.     ROLL CALL

X

WHT EMC - Bill McCahan

X

WHT Fire Marshal – Bruce Hetrick

X

WHT Citizen Rep. - Bob Garland

E

WHT Fire Co. Pres. – Bill Gross

E

WHT Fire Police Capt. - Mel Gochenaur

X

WHT Fire Co. Chief – Brian Cassel

X

WHT Business Assoc. Rep. – George Ditzel

X

WHT Township Manager - Mike Rimer

E

SCEMS Rep. - Barry Calhoun

 

 

 

3.     PUBLIC COMMENT – NONE.

 

4.  APPROVAL OF MEETING NOTES - MINUTES

Mr. Garland moved, seconded by Mr. Hetrick to approve the minutes of August 3, 2006 as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.  PRESENTATIONS, STAFF/BOARD REPORTS

 

A.    Andy Verbos, WH Twp Fire Co – Mr. Verbos presented the specifications for the proposed fire engine, which is to replace Engine 36-1.  Engine 36-1 is the first piece of equipment to respond to a fire call.  This engine was purchased in 1990 and has been in use for 16 years.  The new engine will have some additional safety features including roll over crash protection and an improved suspension allowing for a shorter stopping distance.  The new engine will be a Class A pumper as rated by the NFPA.  The goal is to get the specs out for bid by the end of September, as there is a 7 to 10 month build time and approximately a year for delivery of the engine.  The existing Engine 36-1 will become Engine 36-2 and the existing Engine 36-2 will be sold for between $50,000 and $75,000, which will go into the fund to purchase the new vehicle.  There will also be fundraisers to offset the cost and money will be obtained from the Fire Tax Fund.  It is estimated the new engine will cost between $420,000 and $470,000.

 

There was considerable discussion and Mr. Verbos answered questions from the Board.  Mr. Rimer explained the bid process and gave some suggestions as to what to include in the presentation to the Board of Supervisors, which will occur at the Workshop Meeting on September 11th.

 

Mr. McCahan thanked Mr. Verbos for his excellent presentation.

 

Motion: Mr. Garland moved, seconded by Mr. Hetrick to approve the project to replace engine 36-1, as presented, and to move it forward to the Board of Supervisors for consideration and action.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

6.  OLD BUSINESS

 

A.          Preemption & Signal Upgrade @ Rt. 22/39 – Mr. Rimer reported the bid has been awarded and a preconstruction meeting has been held.  Materials have been ordered and installation will occur in about 8 to 10 weeks.

 

B.          Speed Survey & Update Ordinances for Speed Signs – Mr. Rimer reported the speed survey scope has been approved by the Board of Supervisors and the study is underway by HRG.

C.          Exit 77 Direction Signs – Mr. Rimer reported that he and Mr. Garland met with PENNDOT regarding directional signs at Exit 77.  A follow up letter was received from PENNDOT and will be provided with the next meeting packet.  Some good suggestions were received from PENNDOT and they were supportive of the need for signage.  Another meeting will be scheduled with PENNDOT for signage approval.

 

D.          Parking in front of Hydrant at McDonalds – Mr. Rimer stated HRG is in the process of conducting the engineering study for the sign and ordinance.  Signage will read “No Parking, Emergency Vehicles only.”

 

E.          Fire Department Connection at Motel 8 – Mr. McCahan reported that the sign has been installed at Motel 8 for the fire department connection.

 

F.           Village Glen Street Naming – Mr. McCahan stated he received a letter from Mr. Brown listing reasons why they would like to keep just one street name.  Mr. McCahan read his prepared response (attached to these minutes) regarding the concerns by emergency responders and the confusion generated with only one street name.

 

              Motion:  Mr. Garland moved, seconded by Mr. Hetrick to forward the letter prepared by Mr. McCahan addressing the problems with one street name and indicating the PSAB has not changed their position.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

7.    NEW BUSINESS

8.    ACTIONS REQUESTED BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

9.    OTHER BUSINESS/CORRESPONDANCE BEFORE THE PSAB

10.   PLANS FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION

       A.   F/LD Summit Restaurant East

              1.  A Knox box shall be required when construction is complete.

              2.  Locate a hydrant on the nose of the parking divider on the north side of the building.

              3.  The Fire Department Connection shall be located on the north side of the building.

       B.   F/SB Sagewicke Annex

There was considerable discussion regarding the size of the cul-de-sac and location of hydrants.  It was agreed Mr. McCahan would contact the engineer Friday morning to discuss concerns.

Per Mr. McCahan’s discussion with Rob Shaffer of Act One Consultants on 9/8/06:

1.  Move the hydrant from between units 36 & 38 to between  units 40 & 42.

2.  Engineer to investigate whether the cul-de-sac can be increased in size to accommodate emergency vehicles.

       C.   F/LD C J Pony Parts Annex Addition – The Fire Department Connection location is to be determined when the building plans are submitted.  Locate a hydrant on the east side of the building.

       D.   F/SB Village Glen

              Comment remains that there shall be two discrete street names for this development.  Mr. McCahan will respond to Mr. Brown via letter regarding this issue.

12.   ADJOURNMENT – 8:50 p.m.