WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2001, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Zimmerman called the regular meeting to order at 7 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 issues.
Gloria J. Zimmerman, Chairman
Kenneth W. Gross, Vice Chairman
Earl B. Hoffman, Sr., Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Robert R. Jones
Stephen L. Millard
Jim Zeiters, Glenview Avenue. Mr. Zeiters announced that a meeting of the Route 39 Corridor Study Committee was scheduled to be held in the lower level of the Township Building at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, August 20, 2001. Mr. Jones asked if Derry Township had agreed to participate in the study program. Mr. Zeiters said that Derry Township wanted to review the final draft of the RFP before making a final decision regarding participation.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comments.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones said he had witnessed a Waste Management truck making a wide turn from Manor Drive on to Florence Drive. He said the trucks were causing considerable damage to the roads and asked if the Township could post a “No Left Turn” sign. Mr. Rimer said he was not sure that could be done without a traffic study. Mr. Brulo said that the Township could post anything but that it might not be enforceable and could pose some liability. Mr. Jones asked Mr. Rimer to write a letter to Waste Management notifying them of the damage. Mr. Brulo suggested that perhaps there was something in the Township’s contract with Waste Management regarding damage caused by the heavy trucks. Mr. Rimer said he would research the contract and then write a letter to Waste Management.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard said he believed it was important to put an article in the Newsletter regarding the new Burn Ordinance. Mr. Rimer said that the Newsletter was already full. Mr. Millard suggested that Mr. Rimer check with the printer to determine the cost of putting an insert in the Newsletter that was scheduled to go out in the next week or so. Mr. Rimer said he would do so.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman asked about the status of the stop signs at the Wilco and McDonald’s properties. She said the stop sign was now missing. Mr. Rimer said that the Board had authorized the Public Works Department to replace the stop sign at the last meeting. He said following that meeting, he and Mr. Yost had discussed the matter and thought that it would be best to make the property owner aware of the action taken by the Board prior to replacement of the stop sign. Mr. Rimer said that he had reviewed the plans for Wilco and that they showed a stop sign on the recorded plans. Mr. Rimer called the Board’s attention to a copy of his letter to Stephen Williams, President of Wilco, dated August 16, 2001.
Mrs. Zimmerman said she also observed trucks making U-turns at Manor and Route 22. Mr. Rimer said that vehicles were permitted to make U-turns there as it was not posted to the contrary.
No public hearings or public meetings were scheduled for the August 20, 2001 meeting.
Clover Lane Improvement Project – Status Report – Act One Engineering – Jim Cieri. Mr. Cieri said that a meeting was held recently with the residents on Clover Lane that would be affected by the construction project, some of whom also had to grant construction easements for the project. He said that some of the residents had requested that Mr. Cieri review the plans again with the hope that the new roadway could be shifted more to the west side of Clover Lane so that not as many trees would have to be cut down as originally proposed. Mr. Cieri said he had reviewed the plans and was able to shift the new roadway more to the west side, which would reduce the number of trees that would have to be cut down and the amount of fencing that would have to be removed. He said that there was a remote possibility that Clover Lane would be reconstructed in fall 2001, but thought that it was more probable that it would be done in spring 2002.
Mr. Cieri also said that he had met with Dennis and Patti Esthemier, as their property on Clover Lane had been designated as an archeological site by the Pennsylvania Museum Association. He said he believed that construction could be done around the Estheimer property in a way so as not to disturb the site. He added that disturbing the archeological site could possibly hold up the project, similar to what had happened in 1996 when the sewer project was done.
Mr. Millard said that at an earlier meeting Mr. Rimer had expressed concern with the possibility of time limits running out on the project. Mr. Rimer responded saying that he had researched the matter and that there was no deadline for completion of the Clover Lane project.
Special Meeting – July 24, 2001. Mr. Millard raised a question relative to the second motion on page 7 of the Minutes relative to the amount to be paid by the homeowners on Fox Mill Road. It was agreed that the motion should read: “Mr. Wingeard moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, that the Authority pay the balance of the project above and beyond the $16,000 paid by the Township and the $7,800 ($2,600 tapping/connection fee per household) to be paid by the residents. The motion was unanimously approved.” Mrs. Zimmerman pointed out that since the July 24, 2001 meeting was a joint meeting, the amendment to the Minutes should also be called to the Water and Sewer Authority’s attention at its meeting on August 21, 2001.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the Minutes as amended. The motion was approved 4-0, with Mr. Jones abstaining as he was not present at the meeting.
Mr. Jones asked whether that motion meant that the Township would be paying $16,000 from the General Fund. Mr. Rimer responded saying that was the case. Mr. Jones said he did not agree with that and believed that it could be opening a Pandora’s box for future sewer projects.
Regular Meeting – August 6, 2001. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of August 6, 2001. The motion was approved 3-0, with Mr. Jones and Mr. Gross abstaining as they were not present at the meeting.
General Fund Balance as of August 2, 2001 $991,968.71
Liquid Fuels Balance as of August 2, 2001 $392,240.84
Deposit – August 2, 2001 $ 3,844.78
Deposit – August 7, 2001 $ 36,178.76
Deposit – August 15, 2001 $ 14,163.37
Deposit – August 16, 2001 $ 15,358.00
Total manual deposits for the month of August
as of August 17, 2001 $ 69,544.91
Automatic Deposit – Earned Income Tax for the
month ending June 30, 2001 (Deposited August 15, 2001) $ 4,921.83
Total manual and automatic deposits for the month
of August as of August 17, 2001 $ 74,466.74
General Fund Balance as of August 17, 2001 $977,449.84
Liquid Fuels Balance as of August 17, 2001 $392,240.84
Less Payroll 08/10/01 Net: $12,358.43 Gross: $ 16,554.98
Less vouchers to be approved 08/20/01 $ 28,489.45
Total invoices that could be paid with Liquid Fuels funds $ 0.00
Mr. Millard raised a question about the refund of Zoning Hearing Board fees in the amount of $300. Mr. Rimer said that an appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board had been withdrawn and that the filing fees were being returned to the applicant.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr.
Hoffman, to approve the payroll. The
motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr.
Hoffman, to approve the vouchers. The
motion was unanimously approved.
There were no Planning Commission reports or plans.
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 the proposed plan had been looked at by the Board of Supervisors and that an architect was now involved in the project.
Mr. Jones said he would have nothing to report prior to September 2001. Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Jones if it would be possible to have some type of report for the Board by its workshop meeting on September 9, 2001. Mr. Jones said he would see what could be done.
Motion – A BOS Conference Attendance Authorization under PA Second Class Township Code Section 607.(4). Mr. Rimer said that Ms. Fesig was seeking approval from the Board to attend a Community Conservation Partnerships Program 2001 Pre-Application Workshop on September 14, 2001 in Harrisburg. He said the cost was $5.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the request. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Execute Deed of Easement and Right-of-Way for PA American Water Company on Township Property at Jonestown Road. Mr. Rimer said that Ron Felker from PA American Water Company was present if the Board had any questions. He said that the easement would grant a right-of-way to PA American Water Company on the Township property up to the Harteis property. Mr. Felker added that it would be a 10-foot easement.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to execute the Deed of Easement and Right-of-Way for a monetary consideration of $1. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Application for Public Fire Hydrant – Relocated Jonestown Road. Mr. Rimer said the application was for placement of fire hydrants in Bradford Estates. It was noted that Bill McCahan, the emergency management coordinator for West Hanover, and Tim Shatto, the fire marshal for West Hanover, had both reviewed the applications.
Mr. Millard raised a question regarding assessment to the property owners for fire hydrants. Mr. Rimer explained that any property within 780 feet of the hydrant would be assessed for the fire hydrants. The cost to each property owner was dependent upon the assessed value of their property multiplied by the millage rate set by the Township.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the application for fire hydrants along relocated Jonestown Road. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Application for Public Fire Hydrant – Myrtle Drive/Dewey Drive/Jonestown Road and SR 0039 Areas. Mr. Rimer said the application was for ten hydrants to be placed along Jonestown Road up to the New Country Inn and Suites.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the application for fire hydrants on Myrtle Drive, Dewey Drive, Jonestown Road, and SR 0039 areas. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Authorize Use of Township Property for Lions Club Eyeglass Drop-Off. Mr. Rimer said that the Lions Club was requesting permission to place an old mailbox on Township property so that residents could drop off old eyeglasses. He said the mailbox would be painted with the Lions Club colors and marked appropriately so as not to confuse the public. He added that the mailbox would be placed on a concrete pad. It was suggested that the drop-off box be placed near the handicapped parking area.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the request from the Lions Club. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Rimer called the Board’s attention to a letter from Truckstops of America wherein they declined to make any type of contribution to the Route 39 Corridor project. In their letter, they highlighted the amount of taxes they paid annually. After a brief discussion, the Board directed Mr. Rimer to respond to T/A’s letter letting them know that only a small portion of the amount of taxes they pay annually benefits West Hanover Township. The only should also include the importance of being a “good neighbor.” Mr. Rimer said he would write the letter.
Mr. Rimer also called the Board’s attention to the letter to Barry Hoffman at PennDOT regarding use of the Township’s engineer for the Route 39 Corridor project. Mr. Jones said he was happy to know that something was finally going to occur with the project. Mr. Rimer said that the Township had acquired approximately $600,000 towards its share of $760,000 for the local match. He said there was much work to be done with regard to raising local funds. Mr. Gross asked why West Hanover Township should be involved with the project since Route 39 is a state road. Mr. Rimer responded saying that it was a Federal requirement that the local governmental body be involved in providing funds towards the project. Mr. Jones suggested that if the Township were going to come up short with contributions perhaps there would be state monies, other than those through PennDOT, that could be used. Mr. Rimer said he would research that possibility.
Althea Avenue. Mr. Rimer said that a release had been forwarded to Richard Roberts of Roberts Homes and that Mr. Roberts’ attorney and the Township Solicitor had spoken on several occasions. Mr. Yost said that Mr. Roberts’ attorney had asked that some clarifying language be added to the agreement, and that he had agreed to do so. Mr. Roberts was notified of the timeframe involved and was told that his portion of Althea Avenue would not be done without the Township having his check in hand.
Road Repairs. Mr. Rimer also called the Board’s attention to a letter from HRG to Pennsy Supply. Mr. Brulo and Mr. Rimer added that he had conducted a road inspection and that the roads were in good shape. He said there were a few problems noted and those problems had been communicated to Pennsy Supply and would be repaired in accordance with the One-Year Correction provision of their contract with the Township.
Convention. Mrs. Zimmerman asked if any Board members were interested in attending the Annual Convention of the Dauphin County Township Officials on Thursday, October 4, 2001 at the Halifax Area Ambulance and Rescue Building from 5-9 p.m. Several of the Board members expressed interest and said they would check their schedules and notify Mr. Rimer if they would attend.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve payment for any of the Township supervisors who wished to attend the Annual Convention of the Dauphin County Township Officials. The motion was unanimously approved.
Solicitor. Mr. Yost said he had no further report.
Engineer. Mr. Brulo said the Board had his written report.
Roadmaster. Mr. Rimer said the Board had Mr. Harman’s written report.
Codes and Zoning Administrator. The position is vacant.
Park and Recreation Coordinator. Mr. Rimer said the Board received two memoranda from Ms. Fesig, one regarding a proposed agreement between the Township and the Baseball Association and the other regarding the Park Facilities Application. He said both of the items would be added to the agenda for the September 4, 2001 meeting.
Manager. Mr. Rimer said that Mr. Brulo, Mr. Harman, and he would meet on Wednesday, September 5, at 9 a.m. to discuss the proposed 2002 road project list. Mr. Rimer said that the funds borrowed through the bond would be exhausted shortly and that he was reviewing the Liquid Fuels funds available for road projects. Mr. Jones raised a question as to whether or not the Liquid Fuels funds could be used in place of bond monies without prior approval of projects by PennDOT. A brief discussion ensued. Mr. Yost and Mr. Rimer said they did not believe that would be possible because PennDOT must approve all projects for which Liquid Fuels funds would be used. Mr. Yost said he would do some research regarding the matter.
Mr. Rimer also said that the Steering Committee for the Ped Path project would meet on August 22, 2001 at 7:30 p.m.
Linda Turns, 8000 Rabbit Lane. Mrs. Turns expressed concern over how shaggy areas of the Township looked where the Public Works Department had used the bushhog. Mrs. Zimmerman concurred with Mrs. Turns’ comment, saying that the area along Moyer Road did not look good either.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comments.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones asked whether or not the Township was going to participate in the Agility Program. Mr. Rimer said that Mr. Harman had met with representatives from the Agility Program and that they were working on a project list.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman announced that Senator Jeff Piccola would hold a Town Meeting at the Township Building on Saturday, September 22, 2001, beginning at 10:45 a.m. She said she was hoping for a good turnout.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Township Secretary