WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP

PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2005

 

1.       CALL TO ORDER – 6:30 by the Chairman of the Board, Bill McCahan

2.       ROLL CALL

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Fire Marshal – Bruce Hetrick

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WHT Fire Police Capt. - Mel Gochenaur

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WHT Fire Company Pres. - John Wolfgang

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WHT EMC - Bill McCahan

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WHT Fire Company Chief - Brian Cassel

 

WHT Citizen Rep. - Bob Garland

 

WHT Business Assoc. Rep.

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WHT Township Manager - Mike Rimer

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SCEMS Rep. - Barry Calhoun

 

 

 

OTHERS PRESENT:          Sgt. Mark Crossan, PSP Troop H

                                                Al Brulo, HRG Township Engineer

                                                Eric Stump, HRG

 

3.       PUBLIC COMMENT - NONE

 

4.  APPROVAL OF MEETING NOTES - MINUTES

A.    March 3, 2005 – Mr. McCahan moved, seconded by Mr. Rimer to approve the minutes of March 3, 2005 as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.   PRESENTATIONS, STAFF/BOARD REPORTS

1.        Sgt. Mark Crossan from the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H was present to address some concerns that the board had regarding response time at incidents.  Sgt. Crossan presented the PSAB with an activity report from a period of March 1 to April 7, 2005.  The report provided data for all incidents but did to show response times. 

Mr. McCahan asked who is responsible to close a state road if there was a hazard on the road and who is responsible to clean it up.  Sgt. Crossan stated that it is the dispatch center’s responsibility.  Mr. Gochenaur confirmed with Sgt. Crossan that it would not be a problem with the state police if the fire police have to shut a road down.

B.     Al Brulo and Eric Stump from Herbert, Rowland and Grubic reported on the improvements to Route 22 from Blue Ribbon Avenue to Route 39 with  the installation of traffic signals at Manor Drive and Route 22 and Clover Lane and Route 22, the installation of left turn lanes on Route 22 at Oak Grove Road and Fairville Avenue and the closure of all other medium openings.   Mr. Brulo stated that the two new traffic lights will interconnect with the traffic light at Route 39.  They will have hookups to emergency generators and Opticon will be installed.  The traffic signal at Route 39 will be upgraded and will have the ability to be manually overridden in the event of an emergency and the fire police will have access at their discretion.

6.   ACTIONS REQUESTED BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - NONE

7.     OLD BUSINESS

A.      Douglas Road and Devonshire Heights Road Intersection – The board discussed the safety concerns and the need for signage to warn drivers of the dangerous intersection.  The board would like Mr. Rimer to send a letter to PENNDOT District 8 to address the blind intersection situation.

B.       Recommendation – Hydrant Height Standard –A report was sent to Pa American Water Company and the Township Engineer for review.  No response was received.  Mr. Rimer will call PA American Water Company.

C.       Knox Box – The fire trucks are prepared to begin to utilize the program.  Mr. Rimer and Mr. Arndt, Township Codes Officer want to get all businesses on line.  There is an ordinance in place requiring Knox boxes and Mr. Arndt will go back and notify all existing building to get on line.  There will be no grandfathering.  The Knox boxes are required for commercial businesses only.  Mr. Arndt has included the requirement for a Knox box on his building application.

D.      Pa American Water Co. Drawings – The board discussed the need for Mr. McCahan and Mr. Cassel to have a copy of the drawings.  The drawings are not to be distributed due to terrorism.  Mr. Hetrick would like a set of plans to be kept at the township office.  Mr. Rimer moved, seconded by Mr. Wolfgang to keep a set of drawings at the township office, and allow Mr. McCahan to hold a set.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.    NEW BUSINESS - NONE

9.   OTHER BUSINESS/CORRESPONDANCE BEFORE THE PSAB

A.      Township Open House – The board decided to set up a display for the public at the Open House on Saturday, April 16 2005.  Mr. McCahan will supply the public with brochures.  He will also show the attendees a copy of the Emergency Operation Plan and also display a poster.  The fire company will also be present.

        B.    Drainage issue on Route 39 near Manor Drive – Mr. Hetrick expressed concerns regarding poor drainage on the   south side of Route 39 just west of the Winslett development entrance.  He would like a letter sent to PennDOT to resolve the drainage problem.

10.   PUBLIC COMMENT – NONE

11.   PLANS FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION

                Pinnacle Health MRI Center - No Comments

                Robert Jones expansion - No Comments

12.   ADJOURNMENT – Mr. Gochenaur moved, seconded by Mr. Rimer to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.  Motion  passed unanimously.