WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2002

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

An executive session was held prior to the public Board meeting.  Items discussed included personnel matters and legal issues.

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Chairman Jones called the October 7, 2002, regular meeting of the West Hanover Township Board of Supervisors to order at 7:00 PM.  Mrs. Zimmerman delivered an invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Robert Jones, Chairman                     Gloria Zimmerman, Supervisor

Robert Ziltz, Vice Chairman                     Earl Hoffman, Supervisor (left at 7:20 PM

Stephen Millard, Secretary/Treasurer                                                                                       due to illness)

 

PUBLIC COMMENT –

 

Jim Zeiters, 204 Glenview Ave.:  Mr. Zeiters gave a brief presentation of the process the Planning Commission used to evaluate and recommend a firm for the Comprehensive Plan update.  The discussion is detailed on page 2.

 

PUBLIC HEARING/MEETINGS

 

Article 67 & 68 Zoning and Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance Amendments - October 21, 2002

 

PRESENTATIONS, STAFF/COMMITTE REPORTS

 

Senior Citizen Van Purchase – Authorization – Presentation – Claire/Jim Zeiters.  Mrs. Zeiters requested authorization to proceed with the purchase of a replacement van for the “Gopher”.  The current van is titled to the County Area Commission on Aging, which has given permission to use it as a trade-in.  The current vehicle was purchased in 1999 and has 73,000 miles.  She would like to purchase a new van utilizing the trade-in and funds from the van account with a goal of needing no further financing.  The County would carry the van on its’ insurance.  The consensus of the Board was to proceed and report back with the figures for final authorization.

 

Route 39 Corridor Study Update – Jim Zeiters.  Mr. Zeiters reported that the study has gotten underway with the first public meeting scheduled for January of 2003.  He has requested monthly reports to the Board.

 

 

Parks and Recreation – Dixie Fesig.  Mrs. Fesig reported that the Skyline Pavilion is near completion, probably late next week.  95 people have registered for the Pumpkin carving contest, both children and adults.  She is in the process of reapplying for a grant to include refurbishing the tennis courts, adding an ADA path, and replacing old playground equipment.  The grant requires a 50/50 match with the Township, estimated at approximately $35,000 to $40,000 in township funds.  A township owned pole rotted and fell at Houck Park with all the lines being re-routed in order to avoid a replacement pole, meter, and light.

 

Roadmaster – Harold Harman.  Mr. Harman reported that roads in Sagewicke and Brynfield might be ready to turn over to the Township later this year.  There is a question about the parking in Sagewicke and the ability to get a snowplow down the street.  A letter will be going out to residents advising of no parking on the streets for snow removal.  No Parking signs may also be needed.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Regular meeting – September 16, 2002.  There was one correction to page 3 where the meaning was not clear.  The statement should read “The Board agreed that this item still needed to be negotiated.”  Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to approve the minutes as adjusted.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT           

 

Mr. Millard read the Treasurer’s report:

General Fund Balance as of October 4, 2002 $800,215.25

Total Liquid Fuels Balance as of October 4, 2002 $552,869.84

 

Mr. Millard identified the following prepaid expenditures:

 

Payroll, September 20, 2002           Gross payroll:  $25,970.05

Payroll, October 4, 2002                  Gross payroll:  $21,196.01

Vouchers prepaid to meet due dates             $926.83

Total prepaid expenditures $48,092.89

 

Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to approved the prepaid expenditures.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Millard made two additions to the vouchers:  $96.00 to Experior for Harold Arndt for codes testing, and $8,700 to PA Invest for transfer of building permit recreation fees.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve the vouchers of $47,464.81.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS AND PLANS

 

Comprehensive Planning Consultant Selection Recommendation – Authorize Preparation of Contract and Final Budget.  Approximately 12 to 15 RFP’s were sent out for the Comprehensive Plan update.  The Planning Commission reviewed the four proposals received, narrowed them down to two, and is unanimously recommending awarding the contract to Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT).  The budgets for both task 6 and 8 appear to be high; it is felt that these tasks can be pared down with a likely reduction in the budget amounts.  The manager will enter into negotiation on these two items.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve preparation of a final contract with Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson for the Comprehensive Plan update.  Motion passed unanimously

 

#01.010, F/LD Vartan Bank, Clover Lane & Allentown Boulevard (Received Time Extension until December 3, 2002, Action by November 18, 2002)

 

#02.010 F/SB John R. Geib, 7817 Moyer Road.  Tim Mellott, Mellott Engineering, presented the plan for the Geib properties, originally 2 separate pieces now combined to split into 4 lots in the rural residential zone.  They will be served by private well and septic and have granted the Township generous easements both through the property and along Fairville Ave.  There was some discussion that these easements may be utilized as part of the Ped Path and therefore may satisfy the fee in lieu of land dedication requirement. 

 

Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, for the John R. Geib final Subdivision Plan #02.010, that the Board of Supervisors waive the West Hanover Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Section 173-11 Preliminary Plan Requirements, Section 173-11.B.3.f Submission of a Stormwater Management Plan, Section 173-11.B.2.c Scale of Driveway Profiles, Section 173-47 Providing recreation land and Section 173-38.B.(1) Identifying existing trees and vegetation, and direct the Planning Commission memorandum be incorporated into and made part of this motion subject to resolution of the fee-in-lieu-of land dedication amount.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve the John R. Geib final subdivision plan #02.010, tax parcel #68-015-037 & 038 contingent upon:       

·        Payment of the fee in lieu of land dedication prior to the plan being recorded

·        Approval of the sewage planning module by the Department of Environmental Protection

·        Approval of the erosion and sedimentation control plan by the Dauphin County Conservation District

·        Posting of the proper improvement guarantee and execution of a development agreement

·        Addressing outstanding comments from the Township Engineer and staff

·        Subject to resolution of the fee in lieu of land dedication amount.

Motion passed unanimously.

 

#02.011 F/SB Brynfield Phase VIII, Green Hill Road.  Melissa Petula, Act One Consultants, present the plans for the revised Brynfield Phase VIII.  This section is the last of the residential section and was originally comprised of 40 townhouse units and will now house 11 duplex structures for 22 units.  The land dedication is scheduled for February of 2003.  Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, for the Brynfield Phase VIII final Subdivision Plan #02.011 that the Board of Supervisors waive the West Hanover Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Section 173-15.C.7 & 16 Certification of service from utilities, Section 173-15.B.(20) Location of existing buildings adjacent to the site, Section 173-25.F.2 Pavement design, Section 173-15.C.8 Wetland Study and Section 173-15.C.11 Traffic Impact Study and direct the Planning Commission memorandum be incorporated into and made part of this motion.

 

Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the Brynfield Phase VIII final subdivision plan #02.011 of Richard Yingst, tax parcel #68-030-024 contingent upon:       

·        Certification of ownership and dedicatory statement shall be signed and notarized

·        Approval of the erosion and sedimentation control plan by the Dauphin County Conservation District

·        Wetland certification shall be executed

·        Engineers certification shall be executed

·        Addressing outstanding comments from the Township Engineer and staff

·        Note #13 should be revised to indicate that the park will be dedicated to the Township no later than February 2003

·        A certified Landscape Architect shall seal the landscape plan

·        Posting of the proper improvement guarantee and execution of a development agreement

Motion passed with Mr. Ziltz abstaining

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Project/Program Status Report.  Mr. Rimer made special note for the Board that the GIS data has been received and converted for use.  Mr. Rimer also continues to meet with regional Township managers regarding solid waste and recycling.  There are 4 agreements pending with property owners for the Exit 77 project.  A traffic study will be conducted to determine their fare share contribution rate.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Minimum Municipal Obligation for 2003 Pension Budget.    Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to approve the West Hanover Township Municipal Obligation for the 2003 Pension Plan of $30,862.20.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Release of Security for Brynfield East Phase I.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve release of $130,681.25 improvement guarantee for Brynfield East Phase I.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Schedule Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Skyline Commons Pavilion.  There was some concern about scheduling the date of the ribbon cutting.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Skyline Commons Pavilion on Tuesday, October 22, 2002, at 6 PM.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Resolution 2002-51 – Appointment Considerations for Building Code Board of Appeals.  Mr. Arndt has recruited 5 individuals from throughout the area to serve on the Building Code Board of Appeals.  Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approved Resolution 2002-51, appointments to the Building Code Board of Appeals.  Motion passed with Mr. Ziltz abstaining.

 

Resolution 2002-52 – Authorize West Hanover Township Fireman’s Relief Payment.  Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to authorize the Fireman’s Relief payment of $38,266.54.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Authorize Initiation of “Quit Claim” Request for residents of Short Street.  Both Mrs. Page and Mrs. Peter presented their request for a quitclaim deed to the unopened section of Short St. between their homes.  There may be a drainage easement and a culvert in the area.  The Township interest in the easements should be preserved.  Mr. Jones moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to authorize the Manager to forward a letter of “Quit Claim” of the unopened portion of Short Street.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Draft Ordinance Proposal – Lock Box Entry System for Certain Structures in West Hanover Township.  Tim Shatto, Township Fire Marshall, is proposing a lock box system for all properties in the Township that have automatic alarm and security systems.  This would enable the fire department to have immediate access in the event of a fire.  The Board would like to study this issue in further detail and address the issue at the next workshop meeting.

 

Request to Schedule Workshop Meeting on October 14, 2002.  Central Dauphin School District has requested a workshop meeting to discuss the landscaping issue, fee-in-lieu-of funds, and Building Permit fees.  The manager also has several budgetary items for discussion and review.  The Board decided to conduct the workshop meeting on Monday, October 14, 2002, at 6 PM.

 

Define and Authorize Township Involvement in Terrann Drive and Sandy Hollow Road Paving Project.  New sewer laterals are being installed in the area by developers necessitating numerous road cuts.  The Authority and developers would like to have the Township completely repave certain areas for a reasonable reimbursement from the Authority, which the costs could then be credited to the Authority toward the project.  After some discussion it was determined that the paving of Terrann Dr. and Hollow Rd. should be added to the project schedule for next year, 2003.  There was some question whether Sandy Hollow Rd can be completed by the Township crew.  In any event the road cuts on Sandy Hollow Rd. must be patched, as opposed to filled with gravel, to allow for snow plowing this winter.  After that time, the Board will revisit the issue of the paving of Sandy Hollow Rd.

 

Authorize lease/purchase of Administrative Vehicles.  The Board reviewed the proposals for purchasing vehicles through the state contract.  The Jeep Liberty can be purchased through North East Auto and the Ford Escape can be purchased through Hoffman Ford.  All of the financing options are not yet available but can be presented at the workshop meeting next week.  Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to authorize the purchase of 2 2003 Ford Escapes through the state contract with Hoffman Ford.  Motion passed three to one with Mr. Ziltz voting against.

 

CORRESPONDENCE.  No discussion.

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD.  None.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT.  None

 

SUPERVISORS COMMENTS

 

Mrs. Zimmerman.  The dumpster at the body shop at Piketown and Rt. 39 is no longer enclosed as required.  The dumpster at the Gables station is in the same condition.

 

Mr. Millard.  Mr. Millard stated that General Codes had still not corrected the website.  He also questioned whether there should be a ribbon cutting for Clover Lane.

 

Mr. Jones.  Mr. Jones requested suggestions to shorten the length of Board of Supervisors meetings.  He also requested the manager investigate the specifics of political sign regulations.

 

ADJOURNMENT 10:15 PM