WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MONDAY, JULY 16, 2001, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Zimmerman called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m., followed by the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Zimmerman announced that an executive session was held at 6 p.m. to discuss personnel and litigation matters.
Gloria J. Zimmerman, Chairman
Kenneth W. Gross, Vice Chairman
Earl B. Hoffman, Sr., Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Robert R. Jones
Stephen L. Millard
Donald Steinmeier, 11 North Fairville Avenue. Mr. Steinmeier said he read an article in the newspaper that Lower Paxton Township was considering revamping its annual clean up. He asked if West Hanover Township was considering the same program. Mrs. Zimmerman confirmed that Tom Stang of Waste Management had come to the Board’s workshop that was held on July 9 to discuss the same proposal for West Hanover Township. Mrs. Zimmerman also said that a public meeting was scheduled for August 6 wherein the Township’s residents could offer their comments. Mr. Steinmeier asked if there would be an additional charge for the year-round pick‑up service. Mr. Rimer said that there would be no additional charge and that in fact it could save the Township money because the Township paid for tonnage collected over a certain amount as set forth in the contract with Waste Management. Under the proposed program, the tonnage requirement would not be imposed. Mr. Steinmeier also asked whether West Hanover would be bound by the decision made by Lower Paxton. Mr. Rimer responded saying that even though it was a joint contract between the two townships, West Hanover and/or Lower Paxton could elect to have pick-up remain as it was.
Mr. Steinmeier also referred to #2 on the Correspondence listing, the letter received from the Dauphin County Planning Commission regarding the Swatara sewer capacity. He asked for a copy of the letter. Mr. Rimer said he would have a copy ready for Mr. Steinmeier on Tuesday morning, if he wanted to stop and pick it up. Mr. Steinmeier said he would do so.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman referred to her comment made at the July 9 workshop to Mr. Stang of Waste Management regarding the fact that sometimes trash and recycles were put into the same truck. She said that same thing had happened earlier in the day and that she had written down the number of the truck so that Mr. Rimer could contact Waste Management. Mrs. Zimmerman also asked Mr. Rimer to contact Mrs. Esthemier, who had made a similar comment about the Manada Heights area, to determine if she had heard anything further.
Mrs. Zimmerman said she received a call from Gordy Troxell regarding L&M Motel and the fact that mud washed out on to Jonestown Road from that property after a rain. She said that Mr. Troxell also raised a question about telephone book recycling and asked where they could be dropped off. Mr. Rimer said that there had been a recycling bin located at the Colonial Park Mall in the Boscov’s parking lot and that it was his understanding that there was also a location in Hershey where the phone books could be dropped off. Mrs. Zimmerman suggested that a location be set up in West Hanover Township for residents to drop off their phone books and then have the Township transport them to another location if necessary. Mr. Rimer said he would contact Kelly Wolfe, the person in charge of recycling for Dauphin County.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked whether or not Mr. Rimer had written a letter to McDonald’s and Wilco as she had requested. He responded saying that he had not done so but that he had a call into Steve Williams, the owner of Wilco, about another matter and would discuss the stop sign with him when he was able to talk with him.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked whether or not Mr. Rimer had written or spoken with Mrs. Deaven regarding her complaint of shooting close to her property. Mr. Rimer said he had not taken care of the matter as yet.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman said that PennDOT recently resurfaced Green Hill Road and left his driveway, as well as several others, with five to seven-inch drops between the road and the driveways. Mrs. Carricato spoke from the audience saying that she also noticed that problem as well as the fact that there appeared to be no berms along the side of the road and felt that it would be fairly easy to flip a vehicle if someone’s tires went off the edge of the road. Mr. Rimer said he would get a list of the driveways involved and then contact the District 8 PennDOT office.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones asked the other Board members whether or not they had taken a look at Manor Drive between Route 22 and Jonestown Road. He said the road was quickly deteriorating and felt that it should be resurfaced during 2001. Mr. Rimer advised Mr. Jones that it could be considered for repair in 2002. Mr. Jones responded saying that the Township had borrowed $1 million to repair the roads and that he believed that Manor Drive should be done in 2001. Mr. Rimer said he hoped to have the work completed on Manor Drive in 2002 and make it part of a bigger project involving the proposed pedestrian paths for West Hanover Township. A brief discussion ensued wherein Mr. Jones asked Mr. Harman to take a look at the road and offer his recommendations. Mr. Harman agreed to do so.
Mr. Jones asked about a timetable for revamping the Comprehensive Plan. He said there had been discussion about that project for the past four years and that he felt something should be done. Mr. Rimer responded saying that the RFP was ready and that the Board of Supervisors had budgeted $6,000 toward that project for 2001. Mr. Rimer said he was trying to time the project to utilize the funds during the second half of 2001 and then have additional monies budgeted in 2002 to complete the project. He also said that he had hoped to have someone in the Codes and Zoning position that could take on that project. Mr. Rimer said he had readvertised the position again and hoped to hire someone in the near future.
Mr. Jones asked about the pedestrian pathway project. Mr. Rimer said that the Township had obtained a $40,000 grant from the State to construct pedestrian pathways throughout West Hanover. He said that the grant was pending with PennDOT and that he was trying to work on having the funds disbursed. Mr. Rimer said that Dan White from Herbert, Rowland, and Grubic would be working on the project. Mr. Jones suggested that Mr. Rimer contact Senator Piccola’s office to try and move things along. Mr. Rimer said he was doing everything he could to get the funds disbursed. Mr. Jones said he would contact Senator Piccola to determine if the Senator could do anything for the Township.
Amendment to Article 11 – Repealing Village Zoning. A public hearing was held from 7:15 p.m. until 7:40 p.m. A stenographer was present to record the hearing, and a transcript is attached to the Minutes.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to remove the 5,000 square foot building limitation under Article 11, Village Zoning. The motion was approved 4-1, with Mr. Millard voting nay.
No presentations were scheduled for the July 16, 2001 meeting.
Workshop Meeting – March 12, 2001. Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the Minutes of March 12, 2001. The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. Gross abstaining, as he was not present at the meeting.
Regular Meeting – July 2, 2001. Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the Minutes of July 2, 2001. The motion was unanimously approved.
Workshop Meeting – July 9, 2001. Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to
approve the Minutes of July 9, 2001.
The motion was unanimously approved.
General Fund Balance as of July 12, 2001 $952,792.60
Liquid Fuels Balance as of July 12, 2001 $391,128.03
Deposit on July 2, 2001 $ 25,621.25
Deposit on July 3, 2001 $ 8,706.37
Deposit on July 6, 2001 $ 4,239.18
Deposit on July 10, 2001 $ 10,616.19
Deposit on July 12, 2001 $ 14,576.31
Deposit on July 12, 2001 (Park & Rec) $ 4,282.95
Less Payroll on July 13, 2001 Net: $14,019.62 Gross: $ 18,548.36
Less Vouchers to be Approved July 16, 2001 $ 44,797.86
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr.
Gross, to pay the payroll. The motion
was unanimously approved.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr.
Hoffman, to approve the vouchers. The
motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Zimmerman raised a question about the invoice from Rettew Associates. Mr. Rimer said that the total on the voucher listing was for one invoice only. Mr. Rimer said he thought that the interim codes and zoning administrator was doing a commendable job for the small amount of time he spent at the Township.
Mrs. Zimmerman raised a question about the frequency of the petty cash checks being issued and asked for a breakdown of the expenditures. Mr. Rimer said he would have Mrs. Marks provide that information to Mrs. Martin.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked about the mileage reimbursement for the employees. She said that a total of $135.24 appeared on the current voucher listing and asked for the period of time that covered. Mr. Rimer said that was for a two-week period. Mrs. Zimmerman said that if the Board was going to pay that amount of money twice a month, then it would appear to her that the Township could be using that money to make a car payment. Mr. Rimer said he was doing his best to budget for a Township vehicle.
Release of Security - #99.025 Sagewicke III & VA. Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to reduce the improvement guarantee by $202,508.75 from the current amount of $336,200 leaving a balance of $133,691.25. The motion was unanimously approved.
#01.006 F/SB Sagewicke Phases II and
XA. Mr. Gross moved, seconded by
Mr. Hoffman, for the Sagewicke Phase II and XA final subdivision
development plan #01.006 for the Board of Supervisors to waive the West Hanover
Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for location of existing
buildings, showing of existing and proposed driveways, submission of a final
wetlands report, submission of a final traffic impact study, pavement design,
and direct the Planning Commission memorandum be incorporated into and made
part of this motion. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the Sagewicke II and XA final subdivision plan #01.006, Tax Parcel #68-030-022 contingent upon corrections recommended by the Township Staff, Township Engineer, EAC, and Dauphin County Planning Commission having been incorporated into the plan, verification of survey monuments and markers by the Township Engineer, execution of a development agreement, posting of the proper improvement guarantee for public improvements including required landscaping and executing a development agreement, submission of fee in lieu of land dedication for recreation ($300 x 21 = $6,300), approval of the erosion and sedimentation control plan by Dauphin County Conservation District, certification of ownership and dedicatory statement shall be signed and notarized, engineers and surveyors certification shall be executed, landscaping plan shall be sealed by a registered landscape architect, capacity letter from the Water and Sewer Authority, emergency access agreement between Sagewicke and Brynfield shall be executed, and execution of the agreement between the developers for granting of easements for shared utilities and common facilities. The motion was unanimously approved.
#01.003 F/LD Mount Laurel Church of God. Mr. Rimer said it had come to his attention earlier in the day that this plan had been submitted immediately after the new Recreation Ordinance was enacted. He said that the Park and Recreation Board had not reviewed the plan. Mr. Rimer said that he believed that the Park and Recreation Board would not have a problem with waiving the fee in lieu of or land dedication on behalf of the church, which was a non-profit organization. Mr. Rimer said the plan called for the addition of Sunday School rooms and an activity room. There was a brief discussion as to whether or not the plan should be acted upon without the benefit of its review by the Park and Recreation Board. Mr. Rimer said he thought that the plan could be acted upon and that he would discuss the matter with the Park and Recreation Board at its meeting on Wednesday, July 18, and if the feeling of the Park and Recreation Board was anything other than what Mr. Rimer had stated, he would bring the matter back to the Board of Supervisors.
Mr.
Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, for the Mount Laurel Church of God final
land development plan #01.003 and that the Board of Supervisors waive the West
Hanover Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for preliminary
plan requirements, contours, request for fee in lieu of or land dedication
subject to review and comments by the Park and Recreation Board, and direct the
Planning Commission memorandum be incorporated into and made part of this
motion. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Mr.
Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the Mount Laurel Church of God
final land development plan #01.003, Tax Parcel #68-010-027, 030, 031,
68-007-054, 68‑008‑025, 026 contingent upon verification of survey
monuments and markers by the Township Engineer, approval of the Planning Module
Exemption by the Department of Environmental Protection, landscape plan shall
be sealed by a landscape architect, posting of an improvement guarantee,
execution of a development agreement, and corrections recommended by the
Township Staff, Township Engineer, and Dauphin County Planning Commission are
incorporated into the plan and reviewed by Staff. The motion was unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Connection Enforcement Activities (Actions). Mr. Yost said there was nothing new to report.
Township Public Property Committee Update. Mr. Hoffman reported that a photographer had taken pictures of the Township Building earlier in the day and that a sketch plan would be presented in the near future. Mr. Jones said that it would be fall 2001 before he was prepared to work on his proposal.
Resolution 2001-35 – Adoption of the Revised Emergency Operations Plan. Mr. McCahan said that he understood some questions had been raised by the Board members at a prior meeting regarding the Revised Emergency Operations Plan and that a suggestion had been made to incorporate the Piketown and Appalachian Trail areas into the Ritzie Village plan. He said that would not be an easy thing to do because the Piketown and especially the Appalachian Trail areas had some issues that needed to be addressed. He said that could be a future project but recommended that the Board approve the resolution as it was proposed.
Mr. McCahan offered some background on how the Ritzie Village plan came into existence stating that specifically it was through an initiative by the Lt. Governor’s office. He said that the Ritzie Village plan was a separate plan when it was created but that that he thought it would be a good idea to incorporate it into the Emergency Operations Plan.
Mr.
Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to adopt Resolution 2001-35. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCahan also reported that he had contacted the Department of Environmental Protection and requested a written report on the status of the clean up at Truckstops of America. He requested permission from the Board to write a letter on their behalf to DEP if he does not get a satisfactory answer. By consensus, the members agreed that he could do so.
Mr. Millard asked whether or not someone was monitoring the Pilot property. Mr. McCahan responded saying that there were licensed contractors on site who were obligated to file the necessary reports with the State relative to soils, etc.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion – A BOS Conference Attendance Authorization under PA Second Class Township Code Section 607(4). Mrs. Zimmerman said that Mr. Arndt wanted to attend a Fire Stopping Seminar on July 18, 2001 at no charge.
Mr.
Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to authorize Mr. Arndt’s attendance at
the workshop on July 18, 2001. The
motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Authorize Participation in Susquehanna River Basin Commission Stream Signage Grant Program. He said that the Township would be reimbursed $197 per sign if the Township agreed to have its personnel install the signs. Mr. Rimer said that the project would involve the bridge over Beaver Creek, the bridge on Linglestown Road, and the Bridge at Piketown Road.
Mr.
Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to authorize participation in the
Susquehanna River Basin Commission Stream Signage Program. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Assign Township Representative to Participate in Dauphin County Recycling Consortium. Mr. Rimer said he would like to participate in the consortium and suggested that a member of the EAC serve as an alternate. He suggested that the EAC make a decision as to who would serve in Mr. Rimer’s absence.
Mrs.
Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Gross, to appoint Michael Rimer as the
Township representative to the Dauphin County Recycling Consortium. The motion was unanimously approved.
Announcement – Town Meeting to be Held by Senator Piccola at West Hanover Township is Scheduled for September 22, 2001 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Mr. Rimer said he planned to announce the Senator’s meeting in the next newsletter, which would be going out in August. Mrs. Zimmerman reminded Mr. Rimer that the Board needed to review the newsletter before it was printed. Mr. Rimer said he would see that the Board members received a copy when it was ready.
Announcement – U.S. Congressman George Gekas Has Worked to Have $750,000 in Federal Funds Appropriated for the SR0039/Interstate-81 Interchange Project. Mr. Rimer said that the Exit 77 (formerly Exit 27) project had received $750,000. He said the funds could not be used towards the Township match but pointed out that the monies would lower the overall cost to Pennsylvania and leverage the project to have it programmed as planned. He added that he was currently working with Delta Development in preparation for testimony to be given in September 2001.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Rimer called the Board’s attention to the letter he had written to Richard Roberts of Roberts Homes regarding Althea Drive. Mr. Rimer said that Mr. Roberts had indicated to him that he would be interested in paying the cost for the overlay of the road, which was approximately $13,000, if he could be assured that there would be no further obligation to him. Mr. Rimer added that Mr. Roberts was having his attorney draw up an agreement to that end. It was agreed that Mr. Rimer should notify Mr. Roberts that the funds would be due to the Township by the date of the pre-construction meeting. It was also agreed that the Township Solicitor would draw up the necessary agreement, if Mr. Roberts’ attorney failed to do so in a timely manner.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. McCahan for a total cost to the Fire Company relative to the new septic system that was being installed. Mr. McCahan said that the Fire Company had budgeted $36,800 but that amount could be reduced significantly through volunteer help. By consensus, the Board members agreed that the Township would offer some relief to the Fire Company and asked Mr. McCahan to provide them with the cost after the project was completed. Mr. McCahan agreed to do so.
Mrs. Zimmerman also expressed appreciation to the Fire Company for providing the financial report that was included with the packet. Mr. Millard raised a question as to which bills were being paid by taxpayers’ money and which were not. Mr. McCahan explained that the report indicated which bills Fire Tax monies paid.
Mrs. Zimmerman thanked Mr. McCahan for providing the Fire Company statistics for the first half of 2001. Mr. Rimer said he planned to put that information on the Township’s website.
OTHER BUSINESS
THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
There was no other business brought before the Board.
REPORTS
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had no further report.
Engineer. Mr. Brulo was not present at the meeting but Mrs. Zimmerman said that the Board had received his written report.
Roadmaster. Mr. Harman reported that the road crew was completing drainage projects at Manor Drive and Avondale Terrace and would soon begin work on Farmdale and Candlewood. He also reported that the road crew would be addressing numerous potholes in the near future.
Mr. Harman reported that the roadside mowing was just about completed and told the Board members that consideration had to be given to upgrading the mowers.
Mr. Harman also reported that he had met with a representative from PennDOT regarding the Agility Program. He said at that meeting he had pointed out that the Township had plowed Piketown Road for many years and the representative told him he would be back in touch regarding what PennDOT could do for the Township to reciprocate.
Mr. Harman asked the Board members to consider hiring another full-time employee at the Township Garage.
A brief discussion was held relative to purchasing a used paver. Mr. Harman said that Shaull Equipment Company would be willing to take a percentage of the rental costs from 2000 and 2001 and apply it to the purchase of a used paver. It was agreed that Mr. Rimer would have figures available for the next meeting relative to the cost involved.
Codes and Zoning Administrator. The position is vacant.
Park and Recreation Coordinator. Ms. Fesig showed the Board members her new shirt, which was imprinted with “West Hanover Township Park and Recreation.”
Ms. Fesig reported that Festival 2001 took place on July 7 and that attendance was better than last year. She thanked the Board members who came out and supported the event, as well as Mr. Jones who sat in the “Dunk Tank.” She said that thank-you letters would be sent to the numerous people who helped with the event and that an article also would be placed in the next newsletter. She said that income for the event was $4,148.95, which meant that the event did not exceed the budget of $5,000.
Ms. Fesig announced that the next craft class would be held at the Township Building on Monday, July 23, from 6-8 p.m. She also announced that the bus trip for the Phillies/Mets game would be Sunday, July 22.
Ms. Fesig said that Movie Night would be postponed for at least the week of July 16 until the project got underway at the Fire Company. She said she would keep in touch with the contractors and make a determination when Movie Night could resume.
Ms. Fesig reported that the multi-purpose court was completed and that the gates would be unlocked at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 17.
Ms. Fesig said that she received a call from Sarah Harman at the County’s juvenile probation office asking if there were any projects that the youth in her charge could do to fulfill their community service requirements. Ms. Fesig said that the youth would perform some work on August 4, August 30, and August 31. She said she planned to prepare a list of work that could be done and that they would start at Lenker Park.
Manager. Mr. Rimer asked the Board to reconsider the motion that was made at the July 2, 2001 meeting relative to appealing the assessment of the property on Jonestown Road. He said that he and Mr. Yost had discussed the matter and agreed that it would be better to ask the County to make the property tax exempt rather than appeal the value. He pointed out that the appeal could expose issues rather than help the matter. Mr. Jones rescinded his motion and Mr. Millard rescinded his second.
Mr. Rimer said the meeting with the residents on Clover Lane would be held at the Township Office on July 26, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. He said that temporary construction easements were required from some of the residents and thought that the meeting would be a good opportunity for some public relations with the residents involved.
Mr. Rimer said the pre-construction meeting with Pennsy Supply would be scheduled in the near future. He reported that Mr. Brulo advised Handwerk that it did not meet the bidding requirements. Mr. Rimer said Mr. Salisbury from the Water and Sewer Authority was planning to attend the meeting and that Mr. Roberts would also be invited to attend since he was a partner in the project with Althea Drive.
Mr. Rimer said he was working on a schedule to create a budget calendar. He said he was setting up a system whereby a project list could be compiled and that he planned to include the Board, the Planning Commission, and the staff.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bill McCahan, Jonestown Road. Mr. McCahan reported that there were several incidents involving Dauphin County EMA Dispatch whereby emergency vehicles were sent to Blue Mountain Parkway rather than to the Dermody property on Blue Mountain Park Drive. He said he was requesting that the Board write to Dermody and ask them to reconsider the name of the Dermody property since it was so close to another location in Lower Paxton Township. He suggested that Mr. Rimer write the letter and ask them to reconsider due to health and safety concerns. Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Rimer to write the letter. Mr. Rimer said he would do so.
Mr. McCahan also clarified the fact that there was no such location as Old Jonestown Road. He said there also was alot of confusion over that reference and, in fact, indicated that confusion with an address had delayed an ambulance’s response in the Township.
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. Mrs. Carricato reiterated her earlier comments regarding Green Hill Road.
SUPERVISORS’
COMMENTS
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman congratulated Mr. Harman on having a drug free crew. She said the Board members had received the results of the random drug testing that were performed recently.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comments.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard said that Mr. Rimer had made a reference earlier in the year regarding the timeframe for working on the road repair schedule for 2002. Mr. Rimer responded saying that Mr. Harman was already working on the list.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones had no comments.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Gross, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Township Secretary