WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP

PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2007

 

1.     CALL TO ORDER.  Mr. McCahan called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

2.     ROLL CALL

X

WHT EMC – Bill McCahan, Chairman

E

Fire Marshal – Bruce Hetrick

X

WHT Citizen Rep. – Bob Garland, Vice-Chairman

X

WHT Fire Company Vice President Matt Senft

X

WHT Fire Police Capt. – Mel Gochenaur, Sec.

A

WHT Fire Company Chief – Brian Cassel

X

WHT Business Assoc. Rep. George Ditzel

X

WHT Township Manager – Mike Rimer

A

SCEMS Rep. - Barry Calhoun

 

 

 

3.    PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Roxanne Stevens, 7844 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. Stevens said she had attended the last Board of Supervisors meeting where she reported contact with the President, James Runk, and Safety Director of the PA Motor Truck Association.  They did a site walk through along Jonestown Rd.  Mr. Runk said they would develop a proposal to get the information out to their members. 

 

Mr. Rimer, Township Manager.  Mr. Rimer said he had sent a letter to Mr. Runk but had not had a reply.  He also sent a letter to Rep. Marsico about the issue.  He reported the Board of Supervisors had authorized the Township Engineer to proceed with the signage issue.  The Township Engineer has reported back on a section of the State Vehicle Code Title 75 that makes it illegal to inflict property damage.  The statue is unclear whether a driveway must be posted in order for it to be illegal to enter.  Mr. Rimer sent copies of the statute to the State Police in order to assist in enforcement efforts.  Because the issue appears to be covered by the State Vehicle Code it is questionable whether a Township Ordinance is needed.

 

Adam Klein, 7736 Althea Dr.  Mr. Klein said he had spoken with District Attorney Marsico who said it was not necessary to post a driveway.  Mr. Marsico also offered to have an Assistant DA attend any proceedings at district court on the issue.

 

Roxanne Stevens, 7844 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. Stevens said the State Police also recommended installing jersey barriers at the right hand turn from Route 39 onto Jonestown Rd.

 

Al Brulo, Township Engineer.  Mr. Brulo said the jersey barriers would be a temporary fix only, require a PennDot permit, and could also be considered an obstruction in a clear zone which could expose the Township to lawsuit.  In the short term he said the study for Myrtle and Dewey Dr. would be presented to the Board at their July 16, 2007, meeting.  For the long term his work plan consists of collecting data by interviews with both residents and truckers to determine the exact problem.  The projected time frame for the study is completion by mid-September. 

 

4.    APPROVAL OF MEETING NOTES - MINUTES

June 7, 2007.  Mr. Garland moved, seconded by Mr. Senft, to approve the minutes of the June 7, 2007, meeting.  Motion passed unanimously. 

5.    PRESENTATIONS, STAFF/BOARD REPORTS:  None.

6.    OLD BUSINESS

Route 39/Jonestown Rd. truck problem.  Discussed during public comment.

Snow Emergency Routes – Approval of streets for Ordinance.  Mr. Rimer reported the addition of 3 segments: Mountain Rd. into Ritzie Village, Pheasant Rd. out to Compton, and Douglas Rd.  Mr. Garland moved, seconded by Mr. Senft, to approve the proposed Ordinance and map and forward to the Board of Supervisors for action.  Motion passed unanimously. 

7.    NEW BUSINESS

Discussion - Trucks idling for long periods.  Mr. McCahan reported he has had initial contact with Carol Buskirk of the EAC.  The local TA is on the cutting edge by providing environmental protection to prevent trucks idling for long periods of time.  The consensus was to move forward on this issue in conjunction with the EAC.

8.    ACTIONS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:  None.

9.    OTHER BUSINESS/CORRESPONDANCE BEFORE THE PSAB:  None.

10.   PLANS FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION

       F/SD #07.009, Weakley Subdivision.  Single lot subdivision with sand mound.  No comments.

F/LD #07.010, IFR Addition.  7400 square foot addition and reoriented parking.  Sheets 3 and 4 of 8 indicate the Fire Department connection is to be relocated.  The Board said the developer must report back to the PSAB and the Fire Marshal, by the Aug. 2, 2007, meeting, for approval of the proposed relocated site.

11.   PUBLIC COMMENT:  None.

 

12.   ADJOURNMENT:  7:40 PM.