WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2001, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Zimmerman called the regular meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. A minute of silent reflection was observed in honor of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, followed by the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Gloria J. Zimmerman, Chairman
Kenneth W. Gross, Vice Chairman
Earl B. Hoffman, Sr., Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Robert R. Jones
Pat Cassel, 201 South Oak Grove Road. Mrs. Cassel expressed concern about motorists speeding and about the noise on Oak Grove Road. She indicated that recently she called the Pennsylvania State Police and was informed that all the speed limit signs were posted incorrectly on Oak Grove Road. She said that the trooper had indicated to her that a traffic study would not be necessary to rectify the problem. Mrs. Zimmerman directed Mr. Rimer to write a letter to PennDOT, with a copy to Mrs. Cassel, relative to the speed limit signs being spaced inappropriately. She also suggested that he send a letter to the Pennsylvania State Police.
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. Mrs. Carricato reinforced Mrs. Cassel’s concerns and added to that the fact that the McNaughton property was often used as an area for racing vehicles as well as a place to drop off garbage. She also indicated that the speed limit sign at the South Hanover Township border showed 35 mph and that the first speed limit sign in West Hanover Township indicated 25 mph. She suggested that both townships observe the same speed limit.
Jim Zeiters, 204 Glenview Drive. Mr. Zeiters reported that the Route 39 Corridor Study Committee met the week of September 10 and that the RFP had been approved. It was projected that a consultant would be chosen at its November meeting. Letters were sent to the CEOs of Hershey Foods, Hershey Estates, and Hershey Entertainment in the hopes that they might have some influence in convincing the Derry Township Board of Supervisors to participate in the program.
Linda Turns, 8000 Rabbit Lane. Ms. Turns indicated that she had attended the last two school board meetings and that, at one of the meetings, the engineer for the new school project had announced that a zoning change would not be necessary in West Hanover Township to construct a new facility. Further, she added that Gary Bannon had indicated to the School Board members that he had been assured that three of the West Hanover Township supervisors would vote for the project. Ms. Turns also indicated that there was discussion around Act 50 and that if Act 50 were to be lifted, a 2-3 mill increase in property taxes could almost be guaranteed. She suggested that Mr. Rimer obtain copies of the School Board minutes for review.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Rimer to have someone check on an unlicensed vehicle that had been parked at Route 39 and Piketown Road for the past two weeks. She said she also received a letter from Mr. Weishaupt concerning the possibility of placing signs at the location where Mumma, Appleby, and Piketown Road come together. Mrs. Zimmerman also reported that Dermody had responded to the Township’s request to change the name of one of the streets at its property on Linglestown Road. Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Rimer whether or not he had checked on the viability of participating in the county’s office supply program. Mr. Rimer responded saying that Mrs. Marks was working on it.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones inquired as to the status of the agreement between the Township and Mr. Roberts for paving Althea Drive. Mr. Rimer said he had not received anything from Mr. Roberts yet but would advise him that the Township had to receive payment and the signed agreement no later than September 26 in order to have Pennsy Supply pave Althea Drive. Mr. Jones suggested that no building or occupancy permits be issued until Mr. Roberts did his part. Mr. Jones asked whether or not the Township planned to do anything in response to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. It was agreed that the matter would be discussed later in the meeting. Mr. Jones asked whether or not the supervisors would be permitted any input into the SAMI study. Mr. Rimer said he was under the impression that the supervisors would be asked for input prior to the final design and construction, which was scheduled to begin in 2004. Mr. Rimer offered to contact Barry Hoffman at PennDOT for a status and report back to the Board. Mr. Jones said it was his opinion that the Township should conduct a safety audit for all Township roads. Mr. Jones added that the supervisors had been assured by the Central Dauphin School Board, at a meeting held earlier in 2001, that taxes would not have to be increased in order to build a new facility in West Hanover Township.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman indicated that an architect had been obtained for the proposed community center addition at the Township building. Mr. Hoffman asked Mr. Jones whether or not he planned to support the project. Mr. Jones indicated that the Long Range Planning Committee that he was heading up would meet at the Township building on Monday, September 24, 2001. Mr. Jones also indicated that he needed more information relative to Mr. Hoffman’s proposal before he could make a decision. Mr. Hoffman indicated that the final plans would not be ready until after January 2002. Mr. Jones indicated that he would not say no to a free building. Mr. Hoffman responded saying that he would take that as a yes for supporting the project.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
There were no public hearings or meetings scheduled for September 17, 2001.
There was no presentation scheduled for September 17, 2001.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the Minutes of September 4 as distributed. The motion was unanimously approved.
General Fund Balance as of August 30, 2001 $958,106.49
Liquid Fuels Balance as of August 30, 2001 $392,240.84
Deposit – September 4, 2001 $ 10,680.11
Deposit – September 12, 2001 $ 9,242.15
Deposit – September 12, 2001 (Parks & Rec) $ 1,100.00
General Fund Balance as of September 14, 2001 $934,611.17
Liquid Fuels Balanace as of September 14, 2001 $393,325.68
Less Payroll 09/07/01 $12,524.45 $ 16,611.67
Less Vouchers to be approved 09/07/01 $ 33,336.65
Total Invoices that could be paid with Liquid Fuels money $ 0.00
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.
Release of Security - #00.022 Brynfield Phase V & X. Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to reduce the improvement guarantee for Brynfield V and X from $350,700 to $153,775.60. The motion was unanimously approved.
Sewer Connection Enforcement Activities (Actions). Mr. Yost reported that there was no activity.
Township Public Property Committee Update. Mr. Jones reported that a meeting was scheduled with the Long Range Planning Commission for Monday, September 24. Mr. Hoffman had no further report.
Resolution 2001-39 – Participation in Capital Tax Collection Bureau and Appointment of Income Tax Officer. It was noted that Mr. Gross had been appointed as the Township’s representative to the Central Dauphin Income Tax Board in January 2001 and would serve in that capacity until December 31, 2001; therefore, it was not necessary to appointment another Income Tax Officer until January 2002.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to adopt Resolution 2001-39. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Set Public Hearing Date of October 15, 2001 in the Matter of the Request for Zoning Text Amendments from Central Dauphin School District. Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to set October 15, 2001 as the date for a public hearing in the matter of Central Dauphin School District. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Approval of 2001 Line Painting Project. Mr. Jones raised a question relative to the listing of roads that were scheduled for line painting. He added that he had could name several roads that should be included but were not on the list. Mr. Rimer suggested that Mr. Jones prepare a list of suggested roads and that he would then forward to Mr. Harman for review.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the 2001 line painting project with possible amendments. The motion was unanimously approved.
No questions or concerns were raised relative to the correspondence included in the packets.
Mrs. Zimmerman echoed an earlier question raised by Mr. Jones regarding whether or not the Township planned to do anything relative to the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York. Mrs. Zimmerman referred to an earlier letter that had been received from the American Red Cross requesting a contribution. She indicated that perhaps now would be the appropriate time to make a contribution and asked for suggestions from the other Board members. Some additional discussion ensued as to whether the Township should make a contribution at the present time, encourage the residents to make contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund, and then have the Township match that amount as well. A brief discussion ensued.
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to make a $2,000 contribution to the American Red Cross earmarked for the disasters in Washington, DC and New York City. The motion was unanimously approved.
REPORTS
Solicitor. Mr. Yost had no further report.
Engineer. The engineer was not present at the meeting; however, the Board had his written report.
Roadmaster. Mr. Harman was not present at the meeting.
Codes and Zoning Administrator. This position is vacant.
Park and Recreation Coordinator. Mrs. Fesig said she had no report beyond the fact that the United Way Day of Caring had great results.
Manager. Mr. Rimer indicated that no one in the Township had requested gypsy moth spraying. He further indicated that 80 residents had their properties sprayed in 2000 and that it was reported that the problem with gypsy moths had shown a dramatic reduction.
Mr. Rimer reported that the Township had been approved for the Stream Signage Grant and that the Commonwealth would reimburse the Township for up to 197 signs. He said that signs would be placed marking Beaver and Fishing Creeks as a result of the grant.
He also reported that the road project was progressing and that drainage would be completed by mid-week of September 24, 2001.
Mr. Rimer asked the Board to schedule an Executive Session for Monday, October 1, at 6 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the Codes and Zoning position. By consensus, the Board agreed to meet as requested.
Mr. Rimer indicated that he had received confirmation from Dermody that it was willing to change the name of the street in the complex from Blue Mountain Drive to Quality Drive. He reminded that the Board that the request for a change had been made to eliminate any confusion between similar road names in the event of an emergency. Mr. Rimer said he had forwarded a copy of Dermody’s response to Tim Shatto and Bill McCahan.
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. Mrs. Carricato said she had received quite a few calls related to rabid animals in the immediate area. She indicated that the disease was showing up in baby animals and that at least three cases were reported in cats. She suggested providing information to residents regarding the problem in the next Township Newsletter.
Donald Steinmeier, 11 North Fairville Avenue. Mr. Steinmeier inquired as to the status of the Codes and Zoning position. Mr. Rimer responded saying that he had eight candidates and would be making a recommendation to the Board at its October 1 Executive Session.
Mr. Steinmeier applauded the Board members for making a contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Pat Cassel, 201 Oak Grove Road. Mrs. Cassel said she received a solicitation letter from South Central EMS and that when she called their office she was advised that West Hanover Township had done the mass mailing. Mr. Rimer responded saying that the Township had not done the mailing nor had the Township authorized it to be done.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones expressed a concern relative to an article that he read recently that included income figures for the residents of West Hanover Township and that the 1990 census figures had been used rather than the 2000 census figures. Mr. Rimer explained that the economic statistics are generally not released by the Federal Government until approximately two years following a census; therefore, any reports or articles that would be published at this time would include the old census information.
Mr. Jones indicated that he visited the Civil War Museum in Harrisburg recently and believed that it might be worthwhile for Mrs. Fesig to arrange a bus trip to visit it.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman congratulated the West Hanover Township EAC for being chosen to participate in a video that was being produced by Greenworks.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comments.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin,
Township Secretary