WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2002

 

CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 p.m.

Chairman Jones called the November 11, 2002, workshop meeting of the West Hanover Township Board of Supervisors to order at 6:00 PM.  Mr. Jones delivered the Sailors prayer in honor of Veteran’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

Robert Jones, Chairman                                 Gloria Zimmerman, Supervisor (arrived late)

Robert Ziltz, Vice Chairman                           Earl Hoffman, Supervisor

Stephen Millard, Secretary/Treasurer         

 

PUBLIC COMMENT – (Agenda Items Only)

 

Linda Turns, 8000 Rabbit Lane.  Ms. Turns expressed frustration and embarrassment over the continued vacancy of the Zoning Officer position.  She stated that the position had been vacant for 2 years and she would like to see the it filled within 30 days.  Mr. Rimer stated that the position has been re-advertised and several preliminary interviews have been conducted.

 

PRESENTATIONS, STAFF/COMMITTE REPORTS

 

SCEMS – Ginny Wilson – Introduce Township to SCEMS Programs and Business Summary – Schedule Future Workshop with SCEMS.  Ms. Wilson presented and briefly reviewed with the Board the Business Summary of the South Central EMS Ambulance Service.  In the past 10 years the revenue has doubled however the expenses have tripled.  The largest change and biggest financial increase is in staffing, which has moved from an all-volunteer basis to currently an entirely paid staff with minimum and continuing education requirements.  New contractual allowance regulations dictate that Medicare pays an average of 50% of the billing amount and Medicaid pays only an average of 14% of the amount billed by the Service.  The service is not able to bill for emergency calls unless a victim is transported.  The service averages approximately 90 calls to the West Hanover Township area.  In the last 10 years the Board of Supervisors has supported the SCEMS with donations on an average of approximately $3000 to $3500 annually.  Ten years ago this support was ½ of 1% of the SCEMS operating expenses.  Today, that same percentage is approximately $8800.  Ms. Wilson asked the Board to continue supporting SCEMS by donating at least ½ of 1% of its operating expenses on an annual basis.

 

Mary Ann Kelemen – Authorization to participation in PCI Health Plan and related 2003 budget appropriations.  Mrs. Kelemen, Township Tax Collector, is not an employee of the Township but a Sole Proprietor.  She has been providing her own health insurance.  Because of increasing costs she would like to be considered an ‘Affiliated Employer’ (similar to the Water and Sewer Authority relationship with the Township) and eligible to participate in the Township health insurance program on a reimbursement basis.  Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to accept the Tax Collector position as an ‘affiliated employer’ for the purpose of participation in the Township Health Insurance benefit program on a reimbursement basis.  Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Mrs. Kelemen then presented budget requests for the Tax Collectors’ office.  At the current time all the computer equipment and software used by the Tax Collector are owned, and maintained, by the individual acting as Tax Collector.  There was discussion and general agreement that these tools should be owned and maintained by the Township and provided to the Tax Collectors office.  A resolution will be brought to the Board at the next regular meeting to formalize the equipment ownership issue between the Township and the Tax Collector’s office.  Mrs. Kelemen requested funds in the Tax Collection budget for a new computer and the updated windows version of the tax collection software in addition to the annual software maintenance agreement.

 

Township Manager – 2003 Budget Review.  Mr. Rimer presented the proposed 2003 budget, parts 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, for review. 

 

Part 2 General Budget Information:  It was suggested that the General Profile of the Township be updated to reflect the 2000 census.  The charts are not completed however all of the figures are available in another form.  Page 12 shows the history of the Township millage rates.  The long-term debt position is shown on page 15.  Page 17 details all the lease payments owed by the Township.  The fund budgets are outlined on page 41 with the detailed trends following.

 

Part 3 Financing Plan.  The summary of the main account numbers appears on page 2.  Mr. Rimer highlighted changes in lines 361, 362 and 392.  He stated that this budget includes accepting all the Central Dauphin School District fees for the building permit.  He recommends no reduction in the building permit fee or the zoning permit fee except for the BOCA reimbursement that was previously discussed.  These fees are both reflected in the increases in line 361, charges for services, and line 362, protective inspections.  The fees are absorbed into the budget, incorporated into the financing plan, and any residual amount not used in this budget year will transfer to the Capital Reserve fund for use in the next 2 years of the project.  The Board agreed with this approach, especially in light of their previous action to waive all Parks and Recreation fees.  The Board increased the revenue in line 342, Rents and Royalties, to $12,000.  Mr. Rimer also made special note on code 392, the interfund operating transfers.  These are the monies coming into the General Fund from various outside funds, for example Highway Aid, Park Development, and FILO.  The figures will be adjusted to reflect changes the Supervisors have made tonight. 

 

Part 4 Compensation Plan.  This includes Resolution 2002-56, which the Board adopted at its Nov. 4, 2002 meeting. 

 

Part 5 Public Investment Plan.  This includes the list of all Township projects funded for year 2003 by department.  These projects include the payments for the two new vehicles, the copy center expansion, GIS mapping projects, the comprehensive plan update, and the lock box key storage systems.  The Board decided to fund a Township Building/Event Marquee project under code 409.390 (Township Building and Plant) in the amount of $9000 and also perform a needs analysis and facility concept study for a community center.  The Board added the funding for a permit tracking-parcel based permitting system to the expenditures for 2003.  The projects for public works include the site survey, utility costs and construction of a pole building storage facility as well as starting the window replacement project on the building and finishing the air conditioning system for the work areas.  Streets scheduled for drainage projects include Short St. and Avondale Terrace, Glenview/Valley View/Skyline, Skyline Dr. and Candlewood, Slepian St. and Carl St., and Knight Rd.  Road Construction and rebuilding projects include parts of Short St., Umberger St., Carl St., Slepian St., Doris Court and Circle, Wilson Court, Terrann Dr., Hollow Rd., and the Westford Crossing slurry seal project.  Guardrails are scheduled to be replaced on Appleby Rd., Sandy Hollow Rd., and Fairville Ave.  The Park Development funded projects include the Fairville Survey; a bleacher and parking lot upgrade at Houck Memorial, and the following at Lenker Park: tennis court and fence, bleachers and benches, playground equipment, and the walking/handicapped trail.  The FILO funded projects include the following projects at Skyline Commons: survey, master plan, straining rebuild and surfacing, walking/bike trail, trash receptacles, picnic tables (moveable and stationary); and the movie program outdoor projection equipment.

 

Part 6 Service Delivery Plan.  The summary of all operating expenditures appears on page. 2.  The Supervisors discussed the bottom line appearing on page 12.  They agreed that approximately $240,000 should be shown as a transfer to the Capital Reserve Fund.  These funds are the surplus received from the building and zoning fees from the new school and must be reserved for expenses in the remaining 2 years of construction of the school.  The Board also agreed to increase the donation to the South Central EMS to $9000. 

 

OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD.  None

 

PUBLIC COMMENT. None

 

ADJOURNMENT.  9:25 PM