WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN
BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MONDAY, DECEMBER
3, 2001, 7 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Zimmerman called the regular meeting to order at 7 p.m., followed by the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Gloria J. Zimmerman, Chairman
Kenneth W. Gross, Vice Chairman
Earl B. Hoffman, Jr., Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
Robert R. Jones
Stephen L. Millard
Bill McCahan, Jonestown Road. Mr. McCahan said that he wished to give the Board members an update on the Truckstops of America (TA) location and its ongoing problems. He said that he spoke with a Mr. Noll at DEP. Mr. Noll advised him that the product that had shown up in the test wells had lessened because of the dry conditions and that the interim recovery continued. Mr. McCahan also said that it was his understanding that the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) that had been submitted by TA was not acceptable to DEP and that DEP, to date, had not received a revised plan that was acceptable.
Mr. Millard said that it was his understanding that Monitor Well #2 had approximately 1,500 gallons of product pumped from it in the week prior to December 3. Mr. Millard added that he had been visiting DEP on a weekly basis for file reviews and that he was compiling a report for the Board of Supervisors. He said that it would be ready for the Board’s review at the beginning of 2002. Mr. Yost suggested that the Township stay in communication with DEP and notify the state legislators to keep the pressure on to resolve the problems at the site.
Mrs. Zimmerman suggested that Mr. Rimer draft a letter to Senator Piccola and Representative Marsico regarding the ongoing problems and ask for their assistance to resolve the matter. Mr. Yost said that it would be his recommendation that the Board wait until Mr. Millard’s report was completed. By consensus, the Board agreed with that recommendation.
Brian McFeaters, Light-Heigel Associates. Mr. McFeaters said that he and David Smith were present to give the Board a proposed fee schedule for 2002 and answer any questions the Board members or the public might have. Mr. McFeaters said that he and Mr. Smith were two of the five SEOs who served West Hanover Township. He added that Light-Heigel developed a brochure relating to septic services for people who wanted to do a subdivision and/or land development.
Mr. Millard asked about the procedure for having a well tested. Mr. McFeaters responded saying that as the Township’s SEO, he had no jurisdiction over wells. Mr. Millard asked if he was aware of any labs in the area where testing could be done. Mr. McFeaters gave him the names of Analytical Labs and SAIC (located in Middletown).
Mrs. Zimmerman thanked Mr. McFeaters and Mr. Smith for attending the meeting. She said that she thought the informational brochure was an excellent idea.
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. Mrs. Carricato said that the situation at TA was alarming for the citizens of the Township. She said that she believed people in the area should be notified and be given the opportunity to have their wells tested. She suggested that perhaps the Township should notify the media about the problems. She added that in her past experience with DEP, the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
Mr. Jones said he agreed with Mrs. Carricato’s suggestion that the residents in the area should be able to have their wells tested and that TA should pay for any testing.
Mr. Millard said that he did not believe that the media should be contacted at the present time. Mr. Rimer suggested waiting until Mr. Millard completed his report. Mr. Rimer said that it might be appropriate to invite a representative of DEP to a future Township meeting to discuss the situation with the Board.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman asked whether or not a notice had been placed in the Township Newsletter regarding the availability of the Comprehensive Plan, as had been suggested by a resident during public comment. Mr. Rimer said the notice had not been placed in the Newsletter due to space constraints.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked if the Ford Escort had been advertised for sale. Mr. Rimer said that he was in the process of compiling the advertisement but needed some additional information about the car before he could complete it.
Mrs. Zimmerman inquired if the advertisement had been placed in the newspaper to hire a member of the road crew. Mr. Rimer said that it had not yet been placed but that it would appear in The Patriot News in the near future. He said that he had received several resumes from persons who were aware of the opening. He said the deadline for submission of resumes would be December 14 and that he anticipated meeting the goal to hire a new road crew member prior to the end of the year.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones asked about the status of purchasing a new vehicle for the Township Office. Mr. Rimer said that the funds for purchasing a new vehicle were in the 2002 Budget and that he planned to purchase a vehicle through the Piggyback Program. Mr. Jones said that he would like to see that purchase take place in January 2002.
Mr. Jones inquired to the status of the Agility Program. He pointed out that snow would be arriving shortly and that either the Township had to adopt the Agility Program and get involved in it or that the State had to be notified that they would have to plow Piketown Road. Mr. Harman said that he would follow up with PennDOT.
Mr. Jones said that it was his recollection that the Township had updated its Sign Ordinance four or five years earlier, which stated that all signs in the Township that were in non-compliance had to become compliant by a certain date. He added that he thought that date was January 1, 2002 and asked whether or not anybody had addressed the issue and notified those with non-compliant signs about the deadline. Mr. Rimer said that the issue had not been addressed but that he would look into it.
Steve Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comments.
Ken Gross. Mr. Gross had no comments.
There were no public hearings or meetings scheduled for this meeting.
There were no presentations scheduled for this meeting.
Regular Meeting – November 5, 2001. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the November 5, 2001 Minutes. The motion was unanimously approved.
Workshop Meeting – November 12, 2001. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the November 12, 2001 Minutes. The motion was approved 3-0, with Mr. Gross and Mr. Hoffman abstaining as they were not present at the meeting.
Regular Meeting – November 19, 2001. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the November 19, 2001 Minutes.
Mr. Millard said that the first motion relating to Central Dauphin on page 4 read as though the Conditional Use had already been granted for the school. He said that was incorrect. Mr. Rimer said that he thought the motion should read that the Board granted approval of the Conditional Use in the text of the Ordinance amendment.
Mr. Millard said he would propose the following motion: “The following text should be added to the Flexible Rural Agricultural Zone, Section 95-22, Principal Conditional Uses – Buildings and Structures: c. Elementary and Secondary School and Institutions of Higher Learning. Under Section 195-24, Development Requirements, Paragraph A, Height Regulations, add: School auditoriums and gymnasiums may not exceed 50 feet in height; all other school structures must not exceed 35 feet. Under Paragraph E, Coverage Regulations, add: School development impervious area may not exceed 25 percent.”
After a brief discussion, Mr. Yost suggested that Mr. Rimer should rework the motion and bring it to the December 17 meeting.
Mr. Millard also pointed out that on page 5, the motion to upgrade the salt spreader for Truck #4 should reflect that the motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to table the Minutes of November 19, 2001. The motion was unanimously approved.
Workshop Meeting – November 26, 2001. Mr. Rimer said that he wrote the Minutes for that meeting as Mrs. Martin was on vacation. He said he would like her to review them before the Board acted upon them. He added that they would be brought to the next meeting for approval.
General Fund Balance as of November 16, 2001 $909,433.89
Liquid Fuels Balance as of November 16, 2001 $395,247.34
Deposit – November 5, 2001 $ 11,692.79
Deposit – November 15, 2001 $ 17,806.84
Deposit – November 16, 2001 $ 4,833.94
Deposit – November 20, 2001 $ 10,747.49
Deposit – November 27, 2001 $ 19,009.05
Total manual deposits for the month of November $ 64,090.11
Total automatic deposits of C.D. Area Income Tax (11/15/01) $ 8,276.28
General Fund Balance as of November 29, 2001 $869,408.10
Liquid Fuels Balance as of November 29, 2001 $395,247.34
Less Payroll 11/30/01 Net: $12,238.05 Gross: $ 16,260.07
Less Vouchers to be approved 12/03/01 $ 47,572.18
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to approve the payroll. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Millard raised a question relative to the Light-Heigel invoice, which totaled more than $8,000. Mr. Rimer said that there were several subdivisions and at least one complaint. He said that he would ask Light-Heigel to itemize the invoice if the supervisors wanted that information before approving the invoice. Mr. Rimer was advised that would not be necessary.
Mr. Jones asked whether or not the Township would be bidding out the contract for supplying fuel oil in 2002. He said that he believed the Township should get several bids in order to determine who could offer the best price. Mr. Rimer said he made a note and would follow through with Mr. Jones’ request.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the vouchers. The motion was unanimously approved.
#01.010 Buonarroti Trust, Vartan National Bank, Clover Lane and Allentown Boulevard. Mr. Rimer reported that the developer, John Vartan, had granted an extension until January 14, 2002. A question was raised regarding a letter that was in the Board packets from the interim zoning officer. Mr. Rimer said that the plan was incomplete and that the mandatory 90-day requirement set forth in the MPC was almost expired and that as of 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 30, he had not received an extension and that the plan was moving up to be rejected due to problems, inconsistencies, and non-compliance. He added that almost immediately after the packets had been completed, a 30-day extension had been granted. Mr. Rimer said that no revised plans had been received and that Mr. Brulo had significant comments to be addressed as well.
Mr. Millard suggested that the Board might just want to vote the plan down because of what had been happening. Mr. Yost said that he didn’t see how the Board could take that action since, in the past, the supervisors had granted numerous extensions to developers.
Mr. Jones asked whether or not there was a policy relative to the number of extensions that could be granted. Mr. Yost said he was not aware of any limitations. He said that the Board could send a letter to the developer advising that if there was no activity on the plan within 45 days, that it was the Board’s intention not to accept any additional extensions without a good faith effort on the developer’s part to resolve the issues and move the plan along.
Following a brief discussion, it was decided to follow Mr. Yost’s suggestion and send a letter to the developer.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to accept the 30-day extension and have the manager follow up with a letter. The motion was unanimously approved.
Sewer Connection Enforcement Activities (Actions). Mr. Yost said that he was expecting quotes from two contractors on December 4 to connect one of the non-compliant properties and that he expected to know by the next meeting which contractor would perform the work.
Township Public Property Committee Update. Mr. Jones said that the Long-Range Planning Committee held another meeting recently and was prepared to make four recommendations. He proceeded to outline the following:
· That the Township pursue land for a central park. The Long-Range Planning Committee targeted two pieces of ground that were of interest. Both owners were contacted and neither were interested in selling at the present time. The Committee would like to pursue other land that might be available.
· The Township owns just under 60 acres of land where the Sewer Authority property is located on Jonestown Road. The Township currently pays taxes on the property and it was the consensus of the Long-Range Planning Committee that the ground be disposed of by selling it to a developer. The area is zoned Village, which would allow for development of commercial property. Richard Yingst serves on the Committee and could offer insight if the Committee decided to follow through with commercial development. A suggestion was also made by Jim Zeiters, another member of the Committee, to involve CREDC, as they were always looking for ground that could lead towards a commerce development similar to Gateway Center in Lower Paxton Township.
· The land located at the site of the Township Building encompasses nine acres. Mr. Rimer is scheduled to complete an RFP, which would solicit ideas of what could be done with the property. A total of $5,000 was placed in the 2002 Budget to pay for that work. The question remaining for the Township property would be whether an addition would be put on the existing structure or a totally separate building would be constructed. If an addition were to be put on the existing structure, then it was would be possible to add much-needed office space and then have a multi-purpose building as part of that addition. There may be funds available through the county and/or state if part of the facility were used for senior citizens. The goal is to have the RFP issued by the end of January 2002 with a return date of March 2002.
· Since the Township would be hiring a new Codes and Zoning Officer, it was recommended that some re-arranging be done in the Township Office to give her a private officer and move the Building Inspector into the office that currently houses the copy center. A copy center would be built opposite the receptionist’s office (by the safe) to house the copy center and all other personnel would remain in their respective offices.
Mr. Jones said that several years ago, a suggestion had been made to sell the properties that housed the Township office and the maintenance garage and build a complex on the property on Jonestown Road close to the treatment plant. He added that was not a suggestion of the Long-Range Planning Committee.
He said that thanks to Mr. Harman and the Public Works staff, the maintenance garage had been somewhat rehabilitated and was not in as bad a shape as previously thought. He added that the major problem at the garage was that it needed a new heating system. It had also been suggested earlier that a pole building be constructed at that site as well. The plan for the pole building is currently on hold. Mr. Jones said that the property where the maintenance garage was located, with access to public water and sewer, was becoming increasingly valuable and that the Long-Range Planning Committee believed that the Township should not sell that property at the present time. He added that Mr. Harman was going to solicit some quotes for a new heating system.
Mr. Hoffman said that he had hired an architect out of his own pocket and that he had a commitment to draw up plans, which would show three additional offices, a recreation area, and a facility for use by senior citizens. He said he had been soliciting funds for such a project. He said he was just waiting for Mr. Jones to tell him which direction the Committee wanted to go. Mr. Hoffman said the plans would be presented sometime in early 2002.
Resolution 2001-49 – Temporary Road Closing of Piketown Road (T-560). Mr. Rimer reminded the Board of a discussion held at an earlier Board meeting relative to moving a house located near the Mount Laurel Church of God. He said the project did not take place as originally scheduled and that Mrs. Weaver was present to ask the Board to approve the road closing for December 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A lengthy discussion ensued wherein Mrs. Zimmerman raised a question relative to school busses that would have to traverse Piketown Road during the scheduled road closing and Mr. McCahan .raised some concerns after he witnessed one of the house movers attempting to move a utility pole. It was suggested that the resolution be amended to add a sentence to the last paragraph that would read: “This resolution is contingent upon the coordination of the exact times of the road closure with the school district.”
Mr. Gross moved, seconded by Mr.
Hoffman, to adopt Resolution 2001-49 as amended. The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Authorize Advertisement of Tentative 2002 Budget and Set Special Meeting Date for Adoption. Mr. Rimer said he made all of the changes to the budget as discussed at the November 26 workshop meeting.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr.
Millard, to authorize the advertisement of the 2002 Budget. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr.
Millard, to set the date a special meeting date on December 27, 2001 for
purposes of adopting the budget. The
motion was unanimously approved.
Motion – Consent to Hire Planner/Zoning and Codes Officer. Mr. Rimer said that in accordance with a recent executive session, an offer of employment had been extended to Melissa Hauck to become the Codes and Zoning Administrator. He said she was a resident of Reading, Pennsylvania and currently worked as a planning consultant for Atlantic City. Mr. Rimer said that her start date would be December 31, 2001 in order to qualify for pension benefits as of July 1, 2002.
Mr. Jones raised a question about her taking vacation in January 2002. Mr. Rimer advised that her vacation was planned prior to her being offered the position with West Hanover Township. Mr. Rimer added that he was unsure whether she would be off one or two weeks. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to whether or not she would be paid for that time and it was finally decided that she could take the time off in January 2002 but that she would not be paid for the time until she completed her six months’ probation period. If things were satisfactory at that time, she would be paid for the week or two weeks taken in January 2002. It was also agreed that she would not be permitted to take any more than two weeks vacation during 2002 in accordance with the Employee Manual.
Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to authorize the Township Manager to hire Melissa Hauck under the conditions discussed. The motion was unanimously approved.
[NOTE: From this point forward, the tape is blank. The Township Secretary was on vacation on December 3, 2001 and was not present at the meeting. No notes were available to complete transcription.]
Resolution 2001-50 – Subdivision Review/Hearing Fees Increases Effective 2002. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adopt Resolution 2001-50.
Resolution 2001-51 - 2002 Fire Hydrant Tax Levy – Protection Area #1. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adopt Resolution 2001-51.
Resolution 2001-52 – 2002 Real Estate Tax Levy. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adopt Resolution 2001-52.
Motion – Release of Security – Brynfield Phases 1, 3, and 9. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to reduce the security for Brynfield Phases 1, 3, and 9 from $162,662.50 to $101,172.50, or a reduction of $61,490.
Review – Volunteer Positions Application.
Solicitor.
Engineer.
Roadmaster.
Codes and Zoning Administrator. This position is vacant.
Park and Recreation Coordinator.
Manager.
PUBLIC
COMMENT
SUPERVISORS’
COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail A. Martin
Township Secretary