WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2001, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Zimmerman called the regular meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., followed by the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Gloria J. Zimmerman, Chairman
Earl B. Hoffman, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Stephen L. Millard
No public comment was offered.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman requested that the Board hold an executive session to discuss real estate immediately following the meeting.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Rimer if he had any response to his letter regarding the stop signs at Wilco and McDonald’s. Mr. Rimer said he had not had any response. Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Yost whether or not the Township could have the road crew replace the stop signs and bill Wilco and McDonald’s. Mr. Yost asked if the stop signs were reflected on the plan. Mr. Brulo said he believed that the stop signs were probably shown on the land development plan. Mr. Yost said that since the absence of the stop signs could create a public safety issue, the road crew could replace the signs. He instructed Mr. Rimer to have the road crew maintain an accurate record of their time and materials, so that Wilco and McDonald’s could be billed accordingly.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to replace the stop signs at Wilco and McDonald’s. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Zimmerman said that she had received a message from Sonitrol that the alarm had been set off at the Township building on Sunday, August 5, and that the State Police had been dispatched. She said apparently there was no problem. She asked Sonitrol to check the records to determine who had entered or left the building on Sunday and she was told that no one had entered or left the building on Sunday, that the last person had entered on Saturday afternoon, August 4. She asked Mr. Rimer how much the Township was charged when the State Police had to be dispatched and there was no problem. Mr. Rimer said that the Township paid a retainer to Sonitrol for monitoring, but that, to the best of his knowledge, the State Police did not charge if they responded.
Public Comment on Proposed “Weekly” Bulk Pick-up over Traditional Annual “Spring Clean-Up.” Tom Stang from Waste Management was present to respond to questions. He outlined the proposed change to the trash program, which would eliminate the annual clean-up and in return would allow residents to place one bulk item curbside each week. He explained that Waste Management had the program underway in seven or eight municipalities and that it appeared to be working to the residents’ benefit. Mr. Stang outlined several reasons for the proposed changes: (1) Better for the community; (2) Better for Waste Management in terms of savings in overtime as well as decreased injuries/accidents that frequently occurred during clean-up weeks; and (3) Savings to the Township in terms of eliminating charges for tonnage collected over 100 tons. Mr. Stang explained that the only pick-up that would require a telephone call to Waste Management would be for an item that contained freon, as a special truck must be dispatched to pick up those items.
A question was raised as to whether or not the residents would be charged an additional fee for the weekly pick-up. Mr. Stang said there would be no additional charge.
In response to a question regarding participation by Pay-Per-Bag customers, Mr. Stang responded saying that the Pay-Per-Bag customers could participate in the same way that they currently participated. They would be required to pay the annual fee that they currently pay for Spring Clean-Up and then could participate in the weekly bulk pick-up. He pointed out that the earlier the Pay-Per-Bag customers paid the annual fee, the more advantageous it would be to them (e.g., if they did not pay the annual fee until December, they would only be able to place items curbside for one month; if they paid in January, they would be able to place items curbside for the entire year.)
A question was raised as to how the program change would be promoted. Mr. Stang said he would work with Township staff to place something in the Township Newsletter. He said that the proposed implementation date would probably be January 1, 2002.
A concern was raised as to whether or not the proposed change would be detrimental in terms of the amount of items that would be recycled and/or reused. Mr. Stang responded saying that the Township, if it wished to, could have a centralized drop-off center and then allow people to take whatever items could be recycled and/or reused. He said Waste Management hoped that the change would create positive results for everyone concerned.
By consensus, it was agreed that Waste Management should submit the proposed addendum to the contract for review by the Township Solicitor.
No presentations were scheduled for the August 6, 2001 meeting.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the Minutes of July 16, 2001 meeting. 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
General Fund Balance as of August 2, 2001 $991,968.71
Liquid Fuels Balance as of August 2, 2001 $392,240.84
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
Deposit on July 18, 2001 $ 6,808.68
Deposit on July 25, 2001 $ 6,524.30
Deposit on July 30, 2001 $ 26,351.10
Deposit to the General Fund from the Parks & Recreation
Account on June 29, 2001 to close account $ 5,111.14
Automatic Deposit on July 13, 2001 for Earned
Income Tax Collected during the month of May $ 78,299.80
Deposit August 2, 2001 $ 3,844.78
Less Payroll July 27, 2001 Net: $13,863.64 Gross: $ 18,490.94
Less Vouchers to be approved August 6, 2001 $ 56,473.95
Total Invoices that could be paid with Liquid Fuels money $ 0.00
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr.
Hoffman, to approve the payroll. The
motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr.
Hoffman, to pay the vouchers in the amount of $56,473.95. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Zimmerman raised a question about the amount being paid for mileage reimbursement and asked whether or not the Township car had been evaluated to determine what the problem was. Mr. Rimer responded saying that it had not been checked. Mrs. Zimmerman directed Mr. Rimer to have the vehicle checked out and get an estimate for repair. Mr. Hoffman said he believed the vehicle should be moved to the parking area behind the Township building. Mr. Rimer said he would have the vehicle moved.
Mrs. Zimmerman raised a question relative to the $25 emergency charge for having a toner cartridge delivered for the copier, asking whether or not staff maintained an inventory of supplies. Mr. Rimer said that the toner ran out and that it was important to get more in order to run the Board packets.
Mr. Millard raised a question relative to the cost of Mr. Arndt’s business cards in the amount of $88. Mr. Rimer explained that the $88 represented the initial order in which the card had to be typeset, etc., but said that subsequent orders should be at a lesser cost.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS AND PLANS
Release of Financial Security – Reduction #1 for Clover Lee Development, Triple Crown Corporation. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to reduce the improvement guarantee by $84,016.35 from $184,250, leaving a balance of $100,233.65. The motion was unanimously approved.
Sewer Connection Enforcement Activities (Actions). Mr. Yost reported that there was no current activity. Mr. Yost said that one of the properties not connected to the sewer appeared on the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau reports and that he had notified the county of the Township’s lien and that the Sewer Authority had notified the county of its lien.
Township Public Property Committee Update. Mrs. Zimmerman said that this matter would be the subject of executive session following the meeting.
Resolution 2001-35 – Adoption of the Revised Emergency Operations Plan. Mr. McCahan said that he had made a decision not to include the Piketown area in the revised plan. Mr. Rimer noted that all contact names had been updated.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to adopt Resolution 2001-35. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2001-36 – Road Closing of Jonestown Road (Part). Mr. Rimer referred the Board members to a schedule he had received earlier in the day from Yingst Homes that reflected that the overlay on the new Jonestown Road would not be completed until December 2001. Mr. Brulo raised concern about the lateness of the season for doing final paving. Tom Trite, a representative from Yingst Homes, participated in discussion with the Board regarding the time schedule. It was agreed that the closing of Jonestown Road would proceed on August 20, as scheduled, and that the road would remain closed while the new section of Jonestown Road was constructed. Following completion of construction, if it was too late to pave the road prior to winter, it was agreed that the present section of Jonestown Road would be reopened until such time as the new construction could be paved in lieu of maintaining a detour through the winter months. It was suggested that the last paragraph of page one of Resolution 2001-36 should read as follows:
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of West Hanover Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, temporarily close Jonestown Road (T-601) from Allentown Boulevard (SR 0022) to Sarhelm Road (T-518) following one (1) week of signed
notice of the closure beginning August 13, 2001 and continuing to an unspecified date, or upon completion and approval of the roadway and installation of the traffic signals devices designed to serve the relocated intersection.”
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to adopt Resolution 2001-36 as amended. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2001-37 – Road Detour. Mr. Rimer reviewed the detour map for Jonestown Road with the Board members. He went on to say that the roadmaster had been directed to check periodically to make sure that the proper signage remained in place and that all was proceeding according to plan.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to adopt Resolution 2001-37. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – A BOS Conference Attendance Authorization under PA Second Class Township Code Section 607.(4). Mr. Rimer said that he wanted to attend a workshop on financial reporting requirements for Townships that would be held in Carlisle on August 28, 2001 at a cost of $35 and that Mr. Arndt wanted to attend the PennBOC Conference in October 2001 at a cost of approximately $587.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve attendance for Mr. Rimer and Mr. Arndt at their respective workshops. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Use of Township Engineer (HRG) on Exit 77 Improvement Project. Mr. Rimer called the Board’s attention to a letter from Barry Hoffman at PennDOT relative to the initiation of the Exit 77 project. Mr. Rimer explained that he was seeking approval from the Board to authorize HRG to do the work for the Township. He went on to say that HRG was familiar with the project, time, qualified experience, etc. Mr. Brulo added that in projects such as the Exit 77 project, the selection by PennDOT was qualification based and that if HRG were to represent the Township, HRG would go directly to PennDOT and negotiate a cost. Mr. Rimer added that he had a good meeting with PennDOT earlier in the day and that it was time to begin the project.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to authorize HRG to proceed on behalf of the Township. The motion was unanimously approved.
Resolution 2001-38 – Endorsing the Termination of the Lower Dauphin Council of Governments Solid Waste Authority. Mr. Rimer said he received a letter from Wix, Wenger, and Weidner relative to the dissolution of the Lower Dauphin Council of Governments Solid Waste Authority. Mr. Rimer explained that the balance of funds in the amount of approximately $19,000 would be distributed among the members.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to adopt Resolution 2001-38. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Authorize Planning Commission to Amend Township Zoning and S&LD Ordinance in Accordance with Act 67 and Act 68 of 2000. Mr. Rimer gave a brief synopsis of the enclosure provided to the Board with its packet and stated that it was time for the Board to make the necessary amendments to become compliant with the MPC. A brief discussion followed.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to authorize staff, with the assistance of the Planning Commission, to amend the Township Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to become compliant. The motion was unanimously approved.
Announcement – Ped/Path Plan Reimbursement Agreement has been executed. Formulate a Ped/Path Plan Task Force to oversee the project. Mr. Rimer said that the Township would receive a grant from PennDOT in the amount of $32,000 towards the project and that the Township had committed $8,000 in the 2001 budget for the project as well. He said that he and Ms. Fesig met with Dan Wise of HRG on August 2, 2001 to discuss the reimbursement agreement and the financial aspects of the project. He said that he was asking the Board to authorize formation of a Steering Committee to oversee the project. He suggested that it include one or two members from the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and the EAC. In addition, he suggested that several residents be asked to serve on the Steering Committee. Mr. Ziltz, chair of the Park and Recreation Board, spoke from the audience and suggested that the Board use the target size of 8-9 people to serve on the Steering Committee. Mr. Rimer said the Steering Committee would be required to meet five or six times to review the progress, which would involved a seven to eight-month time period, and that three public meetings would be held—one would be the initial meeting, another would be for the Steering Committee to introduce the project, and the last meeting would include a final presentation and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Rimer also suggested that the Ped/Path Plan then should be adopted as part of the Park and Rec Plan.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to have the Park and Recreation Board proceed with the formation of a Ped/Path Steering Committee. The motion was unanimously approved.
Announcement – United Way 2001 Day of Caring – Park Projects. Mr. Rimer said that volunteers participating in the United Way’s 2001 Day of Caring wold be working on several projects in the Township parks on Friday, September 7, 2001. He said that he was requesting authorization from the Board to pick up lunches for the volunteers. He said that there would be five to ten volunteers participating.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the purchase of lunch for the United Way volunteers. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Millard pointed out the information included in the packets relative to House Bill 1724, which would allow unattended liquid fuel dispensing facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Following a brief presentation by Mr. McCahan, Mrs. Zimmerman directed Mr. Rimer to prepare a letter to Representative Ron Marsico and also to contact PSATS to encourage them to oppose the Bill.
Mr. Yost said that he had prepared the Easement Agreement between the Township and the Water and Sewer Authority granting a right-of-way to the Authority in order to have public water installed at the treatment plant. He said he reviewed the agreement with Mr. Young and recommended that the Board approve the agreement.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the Easement Agreement based on the same action being taken by the Water and Sewer Authority. The motion was unanimously approved.
Solicitor. Mr. Yost said he had no additional report.
Engineer. Mr. Brulo said the Board had received his written report.
Roadmaster. Mr. Harman was not present at the meeting.
Codes and Zoning Administrator. The position is vacant.
Park and Recreation Coordinator. Ms. Fesig reported that the Summer Playground Program had recently concluded after five weeks of operation and that 42 children had attended. She said she received good feedback on the program and hoped to increase participation for 2002.
Ms. Fesig reported to the Board members that in response to a request from the Board on July 16, she discussed the Mount Laurel project with the Park and Recreation Board, who voted unanimously to waive the fee in lieu of for dedication of land.
Manager. Mr. Rimer said that Mr. Yost had prepared an agreement for Richard Roberts’ signature that, upon payment for paving of the private section of Althea Avenue, would relieve him of any further responsibility relative to Althea Avenue. Mr. Rimer said the agreement had been forwarded to Mr. Roberts.
Mr. Rimer said he, Mr. Brulo, and Jim Cieri of Act One Consultants met with residents affected by the reconstruction of Clover Lane on Thursday, July 26. He said there were approximately 15 people in attendance. There were issues raised relative to the width of the road, as well as the speed on Clover Lane. Mr. Rimer reported that Mr. Cieri was reviewing the project to determine if there was a way to minimize some of the impacts by shifting the roadway away from some of the residences thus alleviating the need to remove so many trees. Mr. Rimer said he and Mr. Brulo were concerned that the deadline for the agreement with the developers was fast approaching and that the Township needed to determine where it stood. Mr. Yost requested that Mr. Rimer provide him with the agreements for review. Mr. Rimer said he would do so.
Donald Kerstetter, 8068 Fox Mill Road. Mr. Kerstetter expressed his appreciation to the Board of Supervisors and the Water and Sewer Authority for resolving the sewer problem on Fox Mill Road. He said he appreciated the fact that the three residents on Fox Mill Road would be treated the same as those initially connected to the sewer system and went on to say that he hoped that the action would set a precedent for all future sewer connections.
Donald Steinmeier, 11 North Fairville Avenue. Mr. Steinmeier asked when Jonestown Road would be closed. Mr. Rimer said the closing was scheduled for August 20.
Mr. Steinmeier asked about the status of hiring a Codes and Zoning Officer. Mr. Rimer said that the position was readvertised and that he had received 14 inquiries and eight resumes. He said he would begin scheduling interviews in the next two weeks.
Mr. Steinmeier raised a question relative to the Rettew Associates bill for $2,500. Mr. Rimer said the charges covered a one-month period.
Mr. Steinmeier suggested that Mr. Hoffman make arrangements to have the Township car checked out since he had sold it to the Township originally. Mr. Hoffman responded that he would be unable to make those arrangements due to ethics concerns.
John Suhr, Fishing Creek Valley Road. Mr. Suhr said that he had called the Township approximately one month ago relative to septic problems on his neighbor’s property at 1240 Piketown Road. Mr. Suhr said he spoke with Brian McFeaters, the Township’s SEO, and that he was supposed to check with the Township Manager and then investigate the septic problem. He said that to date, no one had been out to investigate. Mr. Rimer said he had not heard from Mr. McFeaters but added that he would contact Mr. McFeaters personally.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard referenced the information received from the Tax Claim Bureau and asked whether properties could be purchased solely for the back tax amount. Mr. Yost said that properties sold at the sale for back taxes did not discharge mortgages and he also pointed out that many owners would pay the back taxes prior to the public sale and that those properties would then be removed from the sale listing.
Mr. Millard asked about the lease for the cell tower and when it expired. Mr. Rimer said he would check into the matter and report back but went on to say that the Township had received a check for $22,000 from AT&T on August 6 for the tower.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comment.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman said that she thought new trash containers should be purchased for Fairville Park. Mr. Rimer said he would look into the matter.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked who cut the grass at the Castillo property. Mr. Rimer responded saying that Way’s Lawn Care cut the grass and that Mr. Castillo had been billed for the mowing. Mr. Rimer said that he would check with Mrs. Hoepfer to determine if the bill had been paid.
Mrs. Zimmerman said she had been told there was a problem recently relative to trash collection at the baseball fields behind the West Hanover Elementary School and suggested that perhaps a dumpster needed to be placed at that location. Ms. Fesig prefaced her explanation by saying that trash pick-ups were done at all of the baseball fields on Mondays and Wednesdays. Ms. Fesig explained that she had received a telephone call from a member of the Baseball Association at 3:15 on a Friday afternoon demanding that the trash be removed at the park because of an upcoming weekend baseball tournament. Ms. Fesig said she called Mr. Harman at the time and asked him to remove the trash if at all possible. Mrs. Zimmerman thanked Ms. Fesig for her explanation. Mr. Rimer said it was his intention to hire at least one seasonal part-time employee in 2002 to help with weeding, trash removal, etc., at the Township parks.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Township Secretary