WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 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.
Mrs. Zimmerman announced that Executive Session was held at 6 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.
Gloria J. Zimmerman, Chairman
Kenneth W. Gross, Vice Chairman
Earl B. Hoffman, Sr., Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Robert R. Jones
Stephen L. Millard
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. Mrs. Carricato complimented the Mayberry Phase I plan and stressed the importance of not merely keeping open space but keeping contiguous open space.
Mrs. Carricato said she was interested in hearing about Mr. Hoffman’s proposed community building and added that it could be a great thing for the Township.
Mr. Jones congratulated Mrs. Carricato on the excellent article in The Patriot News relative to her wildlife refuge.
John Suhr, 1232 Piketown Road. Mr. Suhr said that he believed it was important for the Township to make uniform rules for the entire Township relative to the Burn Ordinance. He added that residents residing in the northern section of the Township should not be permitted to burn.
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. Mrs. Carricato raised a question that if residents witnessed the burning of illegal articles (such as car seats, plastics, etc.) should they call the Township Office or whom would they contact. Mrs. Zimmerman said that the fire marshal should be contacted either directly or through the Township Office.
Linda Turns, 8000 Rabbit Lane. Ms. Turns expressed appreciation for the fantastic job done by the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) relative to review of plans but expressed concern over the fact that in many instances the Planning Commission did not have the benefit of their comments prior to making a decision on a plan. She suggested that perhaps the meeting date for the EAC should be moved. Mr. Rimer said that a concerted effort was made at the Township Office to include the EAC’s comments with the Planning Commission packets but offered to review the process to see if something could be done to make it more efficient.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones had no comments.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard said that it was his understanding that the Township’s Zoning Ordinance could be put on the Internet for an initial cost of $300 plus an annual fee of $300 to maintain them. Mr. Millard added that a link to the Zoning Ordinance would be included on the Township’s website. A brief discussion ensued.
Mr.
Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to have the Zoning Ordinance placed on
the Internet. The motion was
unanimously approved.
Mr. Millard asked about the lease for the cellular phone tower. Mrs. Zimmerman said that item would be discussed later on the agenda.
Mr. Millard raised a concern about the turning radius at the Wilco site. He said the curbing was being damaged because the turning radius was too small. Mr. Rimer pointed out that area would be addressed when the 39 Corridor project was undertaken.
Mr. Millard also expressed concern about the pollution at Truckstops of America and added that he believed that the Township should be proactive in inspecting spills in the Township.
Mr. Millard asked Mr. Yost whether or not he had encountered any other township that adopted DEP codes as its own ordinances. Mr. Yost said he had not.
Mr. Millard said a proposed law allowing people to leave gas tanks unattended while filling was discussed several meetings earlier and asked whether Mr. Rimer had written letters, as requested, to Representative Marsico and Senator Piccola. Mr. Rimer said that he had not done so, but that he would write the letters in the near future.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman said he would like to see the Treasurer’s report presented in a different format than was currently used on the agenda. He added that he believed that the report did not give an accurate accounting of the amount of money that the Township had. Mr. Rimer said he would work on that item.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman had no comments.
No public hearings or meetings were scheduled for this meeting.
No presentations were scheduled for this meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting, August 20, 2001. Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the Minutes. The motion was unanimously approved.
General Fund Balance as of August 17, 2001 $977,449.84
Liquid Fuels Balance as of August 17, 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
Deposit – August 24, 2001 $ 3,701.00
Deposit – August 30, 2001 $ 20,508.40
Total Manual Deposits for the month of August as of August 30, 2001 $ 93,754.31
Automatic Deposit Earned Income Tax Collected for
the Month Ending June 30, 2001 (Deposit August 15, 2001) $ 4,921.83
Total Manual and Automatic Deposits for the Month of
August as of August 30, 2001 $ 98,676.14
General Fund Balance as of August 30, 2001 $958,106.49
Liquid Fuels Balance as of August 30, 2001 $392,240.84
Less Payroll 08/24/01 Net: $12,358.43 Gross: $ 16,554.98
Less Vouchers to be approved 09/04/01 $ 52,260.28
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the payroll. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Jones raised a question relative to the Fleetshare bill and said that he thought that the Township should explore the possibility of getting its own tank. Mr. Rimer said that avenue had been explored earlier and that it was determined that the cost would be approximately $35,000.
Mr. Jones asked whether or not the Township was getting a discounted price on the gasoline at Wilco. Mr. Rimer said that the taxes were backed out of the Township’s price but that it did not receive a discount per se. Mr. Jones suggested that the gas stations in the Township be given an opportunity to bid on supplying gasoline for the Township vehicles.
Mr. Jones also raised a question about the $150 for lunch for volunteers. Mrs. Fesig explained that 65 workers from IBM would be coming to the Township on Friday, September 7, to participate in the Day of Caring through United Way and that the Township was required to provide lunch for the workers. Mr. Jones said he believed that was an inexpensive price to pay for the amount of work that would be done.
Mr. Hoffman raised a concern as to the cost of the oil that had been purchased for the Township Garage. He said that he believed the oil could be purchased for a lot less money elsewhere.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve payment of the vouchers. The motion was unanimously approved.
#01.007 F/SB Mayberry Phase I, Clover Lane and Sterling Road. John Kirschner was present to represent the plan. Mr. Jones complimented Mr. Kirschner on the plan, which he said fit well with the wishes of the Township relative to open space. He asked when the project would commence. Mr. Kirschner said that if the Board approved the plan, the contingencies would be completed in a short time and that construction would begin in approximately 30 days.
Mr. Millard said that he had approached Mr. Kirschner relative to dedicating a section of the property as part of the ped path program. Mr. Kirschner said that he proposed to dedicate a portion of the property on the south side. There was a brief discussion as to how much property would be required and it was agreed that it was too premature to determine the amount of land that would be required at the present time. It was agreed between Mr. Kirschner and the Board members that a note would be placed on the plan to the effect that an easement would be granted with the intent to create a pedestrian path and that the exact amount of land required would be determined at a future date.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard,
for the Mayberry Phase I final subdivision plan #01.007 of Eastern Communities
Limited and that the Board of Supervisors waive the West Hanover Township
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for submission of a stormwater management
plan, wetland study, traffic impact study, and direct the Planning Commission
memorandum be incorporated into and made part of this motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard,
to approve the Mayberry Phase I final subdivision plan #01.007 of Eastern
Communities Limited, Clover Lane and Sterling Road, Tax Parcel #68-030-019
contingent upon approval of the final erosion and sedimentation control plan by
the Dauphin County Conservation District, approval of the sewage planning
module exemption by the Department of Environmental Protection, posting of the
improvement guarantee, execution of the development agreement, paying of fee in
lieu of land dedication for recreation in the amount of $300 per lot prior to the
plan being recorded, execution of an agreement between the developer and the
Township to provide mass grading for the Sterling Road improvement and a
$120,000 contribution to improve Sterling Road and to construct a future
traffic light at Clover Lane and Route 22, verification of survey monuments and
markers by the Township Engineer, certification of ownership and dedicatory
statement shall be signed and notarized, and addition of a note to the plan
regarding dedication of land with intent to create a public pedestrian
path. The motion was unanimously
approved.
Sewer Connection Enforcement Activities (Actions). Mr. Yost reported that there had been no activity relative to sewer connections.
Township Public Property Committee Update. Mr. Hoffman said he would discuss his proposal at the end of the meeting. Mr. Jones said he would meet with the proposed Property Committee during the month of September.
Resolution 2001-39 – Participation in Capital Tax Collection Bureau and Appointment of Income Tax Officer. Following a brief discussion by the Board members, Mr. Rimer suggested that the Board members might want to discussion this item at the September 17, 2001 meeting.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to table Resolution 2001-39. The motion was unanimously approved.
Announcement – Approval of the Act 537 – Sandy Hollow Road Augmented Component 3. Mr. Rimer said the approval of the augmentation was given by DEP on the 119th day of the 120‑day approval period. He said he forwarded a copy of DEP’s approval letter to the Authority and that he would also be forwarding a copy to Mr. Russell and Mr. Yingst.
Appointment – Set Meeting Date and Appointment for Join Meeting Over Intermunicipal Sewerage Service Agreements (Winding Creek, etc.). Mr. Rimer called the Board’s attention to the listing of possible meeting dates included with the packets. Mrs. Zimmerman suggested that two members from each Board of Supervisors and two members from each Sewer Authority comprise the committee that would meet to discuss the Intermunicipal Agreement. She asked Mr. Rimer to call the Lower Paxton Township Manager, George Wolfe, and set up a meeting for Monday, September 10. Mr. Rimer said he would do so and notify Mrs. Zimmerman when the meeting had been scheduled.
Motion – Application for Public Fire
Hydrant – Woodruff Way and Coriander Way.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the
application for a public fire hydrant.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Rimer called the Board’s attention to the letter from Steve Williams relative to the stop signs at the Wilco Travel Center. He said the road crew completed the work and that a bill would be sent to Mr. Williams. Mr. Jones suggested that perhaps an ordinance should be adopted which would allow the Township to replace stop signs if public safety was an issue. Mr. Yost responded saying that he did not believe that was a wise idea because of possible liability assumptions.
Mrs. Zimmerman highlighted the letter from the Susquehanna Valley American Red Cross requesting a gift or donation. After a brief discussion, Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Rimer to respond to the letter from the Red Cross advising that a contribution would be considered as part of the 2002 budget. Mr. Rimer said he would write the letter.
Mr. Rimer highlighted the letter to Mr. Roberts saying that all parties had agreed the terms of the agreement to but that the signed document had not yet been received. It was suggested that Mr. Rimer make a follow-up telephone call reminding Mr. Roberts that the road work was in process and that if the signed agreement and payment were not returned to the Township in a timely manner Althea Avenue would not be paved. Mr. Rimer said he would make the follow-up call.
Mr. Rimer called the Board’s attention to the information included in the packets relative to the cell tower lease. Mr. Millard raised a question as to whether or not the Township wished to renew the lease. Mr. Yost advised the Board members that it was not the Township’s decision whether or not it wanted to renew the lease but that the agreement signed several years earlier gave the owners of the cell tower the option to renew the lease. He added that the only item that needed to be negotiated was the amount of the increased payment to the Township, which was based on no less than 15 percent and no more than 25 percent of the CPI amount. Mr. Rimer said he would research the CPI amounts and send a letter to the tower owner.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked if the Township was a member of the cooperative with Dauphin County whereby office supplies could be purchased at a discounted amount. Mr. Rimer responded saying the Township was a member but that it had not availed itself of the benefits. He added that he would obtain a listing of the product list/inventory and report back as to whether it would be worthwhile for the Township to use the program.
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had no additional report.
Engineer. Mr. Brulo was not present at the meeting; however, the Board members had a copy of his written report.
Roadmaster. Mr. Harman reported that he had received some complaints regarding the bushhog and that he was in the process of remedying the concerns. He also addressed Mr. Hoffman’s earlier concern relative to the cost of the barrel of oil purchased at the garage. He added that a higher quality oil was purchased in order to keep the equipment, some of which was heavily used and old, running smoothly. Mr. Harman reported that Pennsy Supply was completing the drainage work and would be ready to begin paving in the near future. A question was raised relative to the closing of Jonestown Road. Mr. Rimer said that it was his understanding that Mr. Yingst was to notify the Township by August 31 relative to the status of the order for the mast arms for the traffic signal and also to advise the Township when the road would be opened. Mr. Rimer said he would make a follow-up call to Mr. Yingst’s office. Mr. Harman also reported that the road crew was doing roadside mowing.
Mrs. Zimmerman read a letter from Ron Mione expressing thanks to the road crew for a job well done. Mrs. Zimmerman then presented the letter to Mr. Harman so that he could share it with the other members of the Public Works staff.
Codes and Zoning Administrator. The position is vacant.
Park and Recreation Coordinator. Mrs. Fesig highlighted many of the park and recreation activities including an upcoming bus trip to St. Michael’s in Maryland on September 8, karate and yoga classes scheduled to begin in September, adult craft classes, the Fall Dinner Dance, Halloween Movie Night and Pumpkin Carving event, and First Aid and CPR classes scheduled for October 8 and October 10. In addition, Mrs. Fesig said that 65 volunteers would be in the Township on September 7 courtesy of the United Way’s Day of Caring and that she had plenty of projects at Skyline Commons Park and Fairville Park planned, as well as work to be done around the Township Building. Ms. Fesig said that Movie Night, which was held throughout the summer, had been successful averaging 130-140 people at each movie.
Mr. Rimer said that HRG had completed a survey of the Skyline Commons Park and found that a resident’s utility shed was encroaching on Township property. A brief discussion ensued and Mr. Rimer was directed to contact the property owner and talk with him to determine how long the shed had been on the property and discuss with him the need to move the shed.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked about the status of the agreement with the Baseball Association. Mrs. Fesig said a copy of the agreement had been given to Mr. Rogers, President of the Baseball Association, and that Mr. Rogers and Mr. Leonard, a member of the Park and Recreation Board, were to meet to discuss the agreement. Mr. Ziltz, Chairman of the Park and Recreation Board, spoke from the audience saying that the Township had encountered some problems in the past with the Baseball Association relative to the use of ball fields throughout the Township. He said the purpose of the agreement was to set parameters under which the Baseball Association could use the facilities and that the agreement also required that the Baseball Association submit a list of dates for practices and games.
Mr. Jones complimented Mrs. Fesig on a job well done.
Manager. Mr. Rimer reported that the budget process had begun. He also said that he had been in touch with Diane Christ relative to the 5K race being held on Jonestown Road in early October and that the details were being worked in conjunction with Mr. McCahan. Mr. Rimer said that he would contact Mr. Yingst’s office relative to the closing of Jonestown Road and to ascertain whether or not the deadline of December 3 could be met to install the traffic signal at Jonestown Road and Route 22.
Donald Steinmeier, 11 North Fairville Avenue. Mr. Steinmeier asked about the earlier resolution that had been tabled relative to the Central Dauphin Area Income Tax Bureau and whether or not the City of Harrisburg would be involved if a merger were considered. Mr. Rimer said the merger had already occurred and that the Central Dauphin Area Income Tax Bureau was not part of Capitol Region Income Tax.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones asked about the status of the SAMI project for Route 22. Mr. Rimer responded saying that he had heard nothing further regarding the project but that he would contact Representative Marisco’s office in an effort to learn the status of the project.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman announced that Senator Piccola would be holding a Town Meeting at the Township Building on Saturday, September 22, at 10:45 a.m. She encouraged as many people as possible to attend.
Mrs. Zimmerman advised Mr. Rimer that she had observed teenagers using the Log Cabin as a place to congregate and asked him to notify the PA State Police. Mr. Rimer said he would do so.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman displayed an artist’s drawing of the addition to the Township Building he was proposing to be used as a Senior Citizen Center as well as a community center. He said the building would contain three offices, a gymnasium, a kitchen, locker rooms, and areas where groups could meet and hold activities. He said that Hoffman Fordland would donate the electronic scoreboards for the gymnasium. He said he would only proceed with the building if the entire Board agreed to it. The artist’s drawing was placed on display in the Township Building for the public to observe.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Gross, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Township Secretary