WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MARCH 4, 2002
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Jones called the March 4, 2002 regular meeting of the West Hanover Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7 p.m., followed by the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Jones announced that an executive session was held at 6 p.m. to discuss personnel and legal matters.
Robert Jones, Chairman
Robert Ziltz, Vice Chairman
Steve Millard, Secretary/Treasurer
Earl Hoffman
Gloria J. Zimmerman
Bob Leonard, Devonshire Heights Rd. – Mr. Leonard offered to answer any questions the Board had about the proposed pavilion at Skyline Commons Park. He requested a workshop with the Board of Supervisors and the Parks and Recreation Board to review the Parks and Recreation Comp Plan. A workshop meeting was scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.
Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Road. – Mrs. Carricato commented on the Notice of Non-Renewal letter addressed to the Board from the St. Paul Insurance. She asked Mr. Rimer about the letter from the EAC concerning the Little Beaver Creek pumping station. Mr. Rimer said the EAC sent a letter to DEP criticizing the Beaver Creek Extension Project. They had concerns about the impact of the system on the natural environment and the options that were or were not considered by the Supervisors last year. DEP responded to the township about those issues. Mrs. Carricato asked if there was any further information on the Fox Mill Road Project. Mr. Rimer said that there was no new information on the project.
Earl Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comments.
Bob Ziltz. Mr. Ziltz had no comments.
Stephen Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman thanked Mr. Zeiters for being on the Route 39 Corridor Committee. She commended the EAC for the Natural Lands Trust Program that they recently presented. She said that she had phone calls from residents on Jonestown about lack of stop signs at the Pilot exit on Jonestown Rd. She wants the township to follow through and make sure stop signs are installed there.
Bob Jones. Mr. Jones asked Mr. Rimer about the Capital Tax Collection Agency. The issue was tabled at the reorganizational meeting. He wanted to know if the township is participating in the program. Mr. Rimer was in contact with the agency and sent them information that they needed. Mr. Jones asked Mr. Rimer if he knew who the contractor was who built the front office. He would like to have a similar office constructed on the opposite side in the front section of the building. Mr. Rimer said that it was Larry Houck. He will try to contact him for a proposal. Mr. Rimer said that if the project is over $4,000 then he would have to obtain quotes. Mr. Jones asked about the health insurance plan. Mr. Rimer said that he would like to meet with the staff and go over the different plans.
PUBLIC HEARING - None
Mr. Dennis Shatto, Solicitor for Central Dauphin School District was in attendance to talk to the Board about the new high school. He said that the School District received a Conditional Use approval from the Board on January 22, 2002. Attached to the approval were various conditions. He asked the Board to provide the School District with more specific information regarding off site improvements. He said that the School District has a tight time schedule and a tight budget. Mr. Rimer said he asked Mr. Brulo to provide him with an amount necessary for him to review the traffic impact study and give comments and recommendations. The amount would be for the School District to escrow for the township in advance of their application. Mr. Rimer and Mr. Brulo agreed that the amount should be $1,500 for the School District to escrow for pre-application review fees. Mr. Yost said that the School District must agree to be responsible for the pre-application review fees. Mr. Yost would like the Board of Supervisors and the representatives from the School District to meet and discuss the off-site improvement issues.
Mr. Millard asked Mr. Yost if there was a possibility that the Board and the School District could work together to try to get a grant to improve the road along Beaver Creek. Mr. Yost said that funds are tight for any type of road improvement project. Mr. Yost suggested that a joint work committee should be formed with a couple of members from the Board of Supervisors and the School District along with the engineers. This would enable each board to be advised as to what is going on so that everyone is on the same page. Mr. Ziltz and Mr. Millard said that they would like to be involved on the committee.
It was the consensus of the Board to permit Al Brulo to review the Traffic Impact Study for the School District.
Mr. Mike Mausner, President of Central Dauphin School Board was in attendance. He explained to the Board that the funds are already committed for this project and that it is important to them to know exactly what the costs are before they enter into the project.
Regular Meeting – January 7,
2002. – Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the Minutes of
January 7, 2002. Motion passed
unanimously.
Regular Meeting – February 4,
2002. – The following corrections were made to the Minutes at the request
of Mrs. Zimmerman. On page one under Public
Comment, the word of should be added
to the last sentence of Beth Carricato’s comment. On page two, under presentation, add Mr. Johnson. On page four,
under Old Business, the word should read discussions. On page five, the dollar amount should read
$4,000. On page seven, add Water Company after Pennsylvania
American. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by
Mr. Hoffman to approve the amended Minutes of February 4, 2002. Motion passed unanimously.
Regular Meeting – February 19,
2002. - Tabled
General Fund Balance as of February 15, 2002 $739,025.44
Liquid Fuels Balance as of February 15, 2002 $372,981.02
Deposit on February 7, 2002 $18,283.77
Deposit on February 11, 2002 $3,709.70
Deposit on February 15, 2002 $4,509.41
Deposit on February 21, 2002 $12,727.24
Deposit on February 22, 2002 $29,200.48
Deposit on February 27, 2002 $26,018.67
Total Manual Deposits for the Month of February $94,449.27
Total Automatic Deposit for the Month of February $23,982.06
General Fund Balance as of March 1, 2002 $773,943.29
Liquid Fuels Balance as of March 1, 2002 $373,523.02
Less Payroll 02/20/02 Net: $14,984.99 Gross: $19,762.92
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by
Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve the payroll.
Motion passed unanimously.
Less Vouchers to be approved 03/04/02 $51,196.92
Mr. Millard had a question regarding the voucher for Citadel Communications. Ms. Fesig explained that it was for a live radio broadcast for Festival 2002. Mr. Rimer pointed out that the invoice for the installation of the septic system at Fire Company #1 was included on the invoice list. The total amount for the sewer system installation was $20,956.68. Mr. Jones questioned the invoice for Mette, Evans and Woodside in the amount of $2,425.80. Mr. Rimer said it was for two hearings. Mrs. Zimmerman asked about the invoice for James Matscherz. Mr. Rimer said the voucher was for a seminar for Mr. Arndt to learn about plan review. Mr. Jones asked about the UGI invoice.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by
Mr. Ziltz, to approve the vouchers. Motion passed unanimously.
Vartan Bank, Final Land Development Plan #01.010, Clover Lane and Allentown Boulevard. - Tabled
Mr. Rimer stated that there was a letter from Grove Associates providing a thirty day extension. Mr. Rimer stated that the deadline is now March 8, 2002. Mr. Rimer said that there are still outstanding issues that they need to address.
Drnevich
Sewage Module. – Mr. Rimer said the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer
reviewed the Sewage Module. The Sewage
Module is consistent to Township ordinances and the Planning Commission is
recommending approval. Mr.
Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman to approve the Drnevich Sewage Module
subject to approval by the Township Zoning Officer. Motion passed unanimously.
Towns
of Hershey Road Sewage Module. – Mr. Rimer stated that the module conforms
to the Act 537 Plan. Mr. Rimer said
that the Water and Sewer Authority still needs to approve the conveyance
system. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr.
Millard, to approve the resolution for the plan revision for the new plan
development for TMM Associates, the Townes at Hershey Road for a sewer
extension and a sewer pumping station.
Mr. Yost noted that the township zoning officer, and the engineer who prepared the module have not signed the module. The signatures are needed to complete the module.
Sewer Connection Enforcement Activities (Actions). - Mr. Yost said that there was nothing to report. Mr. Salisbury will provide an updated list of property owners who have not connected.
Township Public Property Committee Update. - Mr. Jones had no new information to report.
Ordinance 2002-___Acquiring The Project of the Sewer System of West Hanover Township; Assuming all Obligations. – Mr. Yost said that the Board has sixty days from the day it was advertised to act on it. Tabled
Motion - Release of Fishing Creek Elementary School Field. – The Parks and Recreation Board is requesting that the Board of Supervisors move to release the field at Fishing Creek Elementary as a park facility due to lack of usage, it is not a priority in the West Hanover Township Comprehensive Recreation Park and Open Space Plan and to save on maintenance expenses.
Mr.
Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to release Fishing Creek Elementary
Field to Central Dauphin School District.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion – Schedule Workshop Meeting with Park and Recreation Board. – A Workshop Meeting will be held on March 11, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.
Review
– Park & Recreation Office “L” Station Desk System. – Mr. Rimer stated
that this was already in the budget.
Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman to purchase the desk. Motion passed unanimously.
Review
– Public Works Ford F550 Replacement. – Mr. Rimer said that this is a
standard truck. Mr. Rimer said that the
truck purchase was budgeted for $66,000.
The purchase price of the truck is $44,102 under the State “Piggy-Back”
Program. It will have a tow
package at a cost of $942. The truck
will be leased and then owned at the end of the lease. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz,
to purchase the Ford F550 subject to review of the lease agreement by Mr.
Yost. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion
– BOS Conference Authorization Township Code 607. (4). – Mrs. Buskirk of
the Environmental Advisory Committee expressed interest in attending a
conference at the Kings Gap Environmental Center in Shippensburg. The conference is about Biodiversity and the
fee is $40. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by
Mr. Ziltz to authorize Mrs. Buskirk to attend the conference at a cost of
$40. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion
– Authorization to Install New Street Light – JL Moyer Court. – Ms. Janet
Hardman, of Yingst Homes, prepared a summary of the costs involved for the
Board. Yingst Homes would install the
street light at a cost of $713. The
street light is needed on the cul-de-sac for safety concerns. The Township needs to sign a form 606, which
will obligate the Township to pay the electric bill for the street light. Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to
authorize the installation of a new street light on JL Moyer Court. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion
– Authorization to Begin Street Light Assessment Update. – Mr. Rimer said
that the Township is responsible for all street lights. There is a question as to whether or not the
residents that are benefiting from these street lights are being assessed. Mr. Rimer is seeking authorization from the
Board to begin an update of the lighting districts. The listing of all new parcels with the appropriate lot frontage
data for the revised street light districts will be sent to the Dauphin County
Tax Assessment Office. They will enter
the data and assess the property owners.
Mr. Yost stated that this should be done and submitted to the County by
the end of October so that it could be included in their assessment reviews. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard for
authorization to begin the street light assessment. Motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mrs. Zimmerman said that Mr. Harman would be interested in
purchasing the 1989 Iveco/Gromman Utility vehicle from the West Hanover
Township Fire Company. The Fire Company
is asking $1,500 for the vehicle. Mrs.
Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz for the Township to purchase the 1989
Iveco/Gromman Utility vehicle from the Fire Company for $1,500. Mr. Millard questioned whether or not the
Township used taxpayer money to purchase the vehicle the first time and if it
would be appropriate to use taxpayer money again. Mr. Yost asked if it can be confirmed that it was paid for by the
Township. Mr. Johnson, President of the
West Hanover Township Fire Company, said that at the time of the original
purchase the Fire Company had only one account. All the revenue went into the one account. It would be difficult to pinpoint exactly
where the money to purchase the vehicle came from. They have since set up a fire tax account with fire tax money
solely going into that account. They
plan to deposit the proceeds from the sale of the vehicle into the fire tax
account. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Zimmerman asked Mr. Rimer to send a written request to St. Paul Insurance Company for a list of losses. St. Paul had sent the Township a Notice of Non-Renewal of Insurance due to losses.
Mrs. Zimmerman commented on the letter from PennDOT District 8 to Mr. McCahan concerning the traffic signal at Allentown Boulevard and Jonestown Road. The letter states that if the Township wants to pursue changes to the signals at this intersection, the Department would require a written request. Mr. Rimer said that the Township owns the light but must have PennDot approval before they make any changes to the intersection. The Township must pay for the changes. Mr. Rimer said that he would have the Township Engineer make a list of the options and their costs.
Mr. Rimer said that in the course of monitoring the construction activity at Funck’s Texaco, Mr. Millard noticed that they were about to install a used single wall fuel tank in the ground. Mr. Rimer sent Mr. Funck a letter stating a list of concerns about using a single wall tank. Mr. Funck has now decided to install a double wall tank for the good of the environment.
Mr. Jones asked about the letter from Triple Crown concerning the construction activities for Clover Lane. The letter is to inform the Township that they are moving forward with their landscaping and lighting plan along the entire length of their property line as it borders Clover Lane.
Mr. Millard commented about the EAC bypassing the Board of Supervisors and going directly to DEP about the plans for constructing sewer lines and a pumping station along Little Beaver Creek. Mrs. Buskirk, of the Environmental Advisory Committee, said that the EAC reviewed the plans for the Meadows at Fort Stewart and were not happy with the installation of the sewer line. Mrs. Buskirk said that decisions were being made about the installation of sewer lines without input from the EAC. She is hoping that as the Planning Commission reviews future changes in the Act 537 Plan, the EAC would have a chance to review and comment. The letter from the EAC to DEP is asking them to consider the impact on the environment in their evaluation of the project. Mr. Ziltz noted that the letter from the EAC to DEP was written on Township letterhead. He stated that the EAC is an advisory board and does not have the authority to speak for the Township unless they are directed to. Mrs. Zimmerman said that the EAC should come to the Board of Supervisors first. She said that a workshop meeting should be set up between the Board and the EAC to discuss concerns.
Mrs. Zimmerman said that the Historical Society asked that the top of the display case be kept cleared off so that the items inside the case could be seen. Mr. Rimer said that a bulletin board would be purchased soon.
Mr. Millard would like a letter sent to Mr. Ray Funck thanking him for installing a double wall tank. He would like to request that Mr. Funck place brine between the tanks. Mr. Millard said the well testing is underway and should be done in a week or two. American Westech is the laboratory performing the well testing. Mr. Millard said that there should be an agreement between the Township and DEP, which would give the Township the authority to monitor the wells at the gas stations. Mr. Millard said that he gave the information about the wells to the EAC for review.
Mr. Garland, of the Environmental Advisory Committee, said he had a copy of Mr. Millard’s report. He feels that the EAC should be very proactive in this case.
Solicitor. Mr. Yost said had no further report.
Engineer. No report.
Roadmaster. Mr. Harman thanked the Board for purchasing the Iveco truck for the road crew. He asked who was responsible for the traffic light at Jonestown Road and Route 39. He said that there was a red light out for two days and no one would fix it. Mr. Rimer said that it was Pilot Oil’s traffic light as the Township has not accepted the traffic light yet. Mr. Harman said that the road crew has been busy trimming and upgrading the shop. He invited the Board to stop in and take a look at the improvements to the shop. He will be installing inlet boxes at Avondale Terrace and Manor Drive. He said Dale Zimmerman is working on address signs. The Board agreed that the road crew is doing an excellent job.
Codes and Zoning Administrator. Position vacant.
Park and Recreation Coordinator. Mrs. Fesig reminded the Board that there would be a Spring Craft Show on March 6, 2002 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Manager. Mr. Rimer informed the audience that the Codes and Zoning Officer who was recently hired, has resigned due to personal reasons. Mr. Frank Chlebnokow will be filling in again as Interim Zoning Officer until the position is filled. Mr. Rimer said that he met with property owners on Clover Lane about the reconstruction of Clover Lane. He said that Act One Consultants has completed the engineering for Clover Lane. Mr. Rimer said that two PP&L poles on Sterling Road would be relocated. The cost for the relocation of the poles will be paid out of the Mayberry Sterling Road Improvement Project escrow.
Mr. John Johnson, President West Hanover Fire Company, said that the Fishing Creek Elementary School baseball field is a landing zone for Life Lion. He wanted to confirm that Central Dauphin School District would allow the Life Lion helicopter to land there in an emergency. Mr. Rimer stated that they are just releasing the Township of the responsibility of mowing the field.
Gloria Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman had no comments.
Mr. Millard. Mr. Millard had no comments.
Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman had no comments.
Mr. Ziltz. Mr. Ziltz had no comments.
Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones questioned the final assessments on some properties in the Township. He said that some properties are assessed low but the transfers are higher. Mr. Yost explained that the land was already assessed and taxed. The interim tax assessments are for the improvements.
Mr. Jones said that he is getting many calls from residents about the trash on Piketown Road. He said that trash is blowing out of the garbage truck. He asked Mr. Rimer to send a letter to Waste Management. Mr. Jones would like a copy of the Steb Report included in the packet. Mr. Jones said that the taxes in West Hanover Township are 1.228 mils. Middle Paxton has no municipal tax. Lower Paxton Township’s tax millage rate is .87, East Hanover Township’s tax rate is .18 and South Hanover Township’s millage rate is .46. Mr. Jones would like the Board to work at getting the tax rate for West Hanover Township lowered for next year.
Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stephen Millard
Township Secretary
Transcribed by P. Marks