WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
7171 ALLENTOWN
BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA 17112
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman
Jones called the July 15, 2002, regular meeting of the West Hanover Township
Board of Supervisors to order at 7:10 PM.
Mrs. Zimmerman delivered an invocation, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Robert Jones, Chairman Gloria
Zimmerman, Supervisor
Stephen Millard, Secretary/Treasurer
PUBLIC COMMENT – (Agenda Items Only)
None.
PUBLIC HEARING/MEETINGS
Jonestown Road Abandonment. Mr. Jones
turned the meeting over to Mr. Yost to manage the hearing. Gale Hinkle, 6990 Jonestown Rd., questioned
the term “vacate” in relation to this matter.
It was clarified that the old roadbed was being vacated. There were no other questions or comments
and the hearing was closed. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded
by Mr. Ziltz, to approve request #2002-1 of Richard E. Yingst, to vacate a
portion of Jonestown Road (T-601) lying to south of the Allentown Boulevard in
West Hanover Township. Motion carried
unanimously.
Ped Path Plan –
August 5, 2002
PRESENTATIONS/STAFF REPORTS
Tom Stang – Waste Management. Mr. Stang
was present to address unsatisfactory service issues. There are 3 areas of complaints received regarding Waste
Management: bulk pick-up, timing of
pick-up, and recycling. There is an
updated list of acceptable bulk items eligible for pick up. Any item with freon must be arranged for
pick-up in advance. One bulk item can
be picked up with each trash pick-up.
Mr. Stang requested notification when complaints are received that bulk
items are not being picked up. He also
reported that several new drivers have been hired to help alleviate the problem
of not getting through the whole route on the assigned day. Recycling trucks should not be taking
trash. This should be reported to Mr.
Stang immediately. Some compacting
trucks are used for recycling.
Mr.
McCahan, EMS. Mr.
McCahan reiterated the desperate need for current, accurate maps. Ambulance calls are being jeopardized due to
lack of maps of the Township. Howard
Hotter, a GIS analyst with HRG, is ready to work on the new mapping as soon as
confirmation of the database is made.
There was also discussion of the lack of street signs on new
streets. There are no street signs in
several of the recent developments where houses are occupied. Mr. Rimer will send a letter to developers
reminding them of the urgent need for street signs.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Workshop
meeting – July 8, 2002. Mr.
Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the minutes of the July 8,
2002, workshop meeting. Motion passed
unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT (· Need Approval)
Mr.
Millard read the Treasurer’s report:
Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to
approve the payroll of July 12, 2002.
Motion passed unanimously.
Mr.
Millard reported the vouchers to be approved of $47,073.65. Mrs. Zimmerman questioned the size of the
invoice from the accountant. There was
discussion on the affect of Diana Reed splitting off from the firm Wootton,
Reed and Associates. The resolution
adopted at the beginning of the year appointed the firm of Wootton, Reed and
Associates. A new resolution will be
presented at the next meeting, after a new quote is received.
There
was discussion the PPL bills for streetlights.
It has been discovered that the Township has been paying for electricity
for streetlights on private roads that have not yet been accepted by the
Township. John Kerschner, Fine Line
Homes, confirmed that developers are responsible for paying for streetlights
until the street is dedicated to the Township.
Mr. Rimer will continue with the plan to change the billing address to
the appropriate developer and recoup funds paid in the past year.
Mr.
Millard questioned the situation with the UGI billing. A technician from Environmental Control
Systems reviewed our system today and discovered that the heating unit has been
operating. This has been adjusted and
there should be a significant change in our bill.
Mr. Millard moved to accept the vouchers of
$47,073.65. Motion passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS AND PLANS
#01.010, F/LD Vartan Bank,
Clover Lane & Allentown Boulevard (Extension until August 3, 2002, Action
by July 15, 2002). A letter of extension was
received in the office today. Mr.
Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman to table the Final Subdivision and
Land Development Plan, #01.010, for Vartan National Bank submitted by
Buonarroti Trust, Clover Lane and Allentown Boulevard, Tax Parcel 68-032-001
& 003, and acknowledge the letter of extension, dated July 15, 2002,
granting West Hanover Township an additional 60 days for review, which will
expire on October 2, 2002, to encourage the resolution of the currently
outstanding issues as raised through the Zoning Officer’s and Township
Engineer’s reports, both dated January 3, 2002. Motion passed unanimously.
Chuck Emerick - Truckstops of America – Modification of Requirements - Land Development Plan Review. Mr. Paul West, General Manager, was present to answer questions regarding Truckstops of American modification request. Both the Township Engineer and the Zoning officer agree that the proposed work is minor in nature and will have negligible impact on the site. There is no precedent for action taken without a Land Development plan, however action should be taken on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to accept the proposed modification of the Land Development Plan with the following conditions: compliance with applicable provisions of the West Hanover Township Zoning Ordinance and Building Codes; approval of an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan by the Dauphin County Conservation District; approval of an exemption or applicable sewage-planning module by the DEP; and complying with applicable comments from the Township Engineer. Motion passed unanimously.
#02.007 F/SB Sagewicke Phases VII, VIII & VB – Clover Lane. Melissa
Batula, Act One Consultants, was present to answer questions regarding
Sagewicke plans. She is not familiar
with arrangements or details on the reconstruction of Clover Lane. For the Sagewicke Phase VII,
VIII & VB final Subdivision Plan #02.007, Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by
Mr. Millard, that the Board of Supervisors waive the West Hanover Township
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for Section 173-15.B.20 Location of
existing buildings adjacent to site, Section 173-15.B.3 Showing of existing and
proposed driveways, Section 173-15.C.(8) Submitting final wetlands report,
Section 173-15.C.(11) Submitting a final traffic impact study, Section
173-15.F.2 Pavement design, Section 173-15.C(7) and 173-15.C.(16) Letter from
the utilities is required, Section 173-15.C.6 Stormwater management report
shall be submitted, Section 173-15.C.10 School District Notification and direct
the Planning Commission memorandum be incorporated into and made part of this
motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the Sagewicke Phase VII, VIII & VB final subdivision plan #02.007, tax parcel #68-030-022 contingent upon: certification of ownership and dedicatory statement shall be signed and notarized; surveyor’s certification shall be executed; landscape plan shall be sealed by a registered Landscape Architect; wetland certifications shall be executed; proper improvement guarantee shall be posted and development agreement executed; approval of the Erosion and Sedimentation Control by the Dauphin County Conservation District; paying fee in lieu in the amount of $300.00 per lot prior to the plan being recorded; and other comments and items as determined necessary by the Township. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
BOS Conference Authorization Twp. Code Section 607. (4). The Board requested an overall plan of training for Mr. Arndt. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve Harold Arndt’s attendance at the PennBoc conference. Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2002-40 – Appointment to Water and Sewer Authority (Seat #5). Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to table the appointment to the Water and Sewer Authority. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve Architectural Scope of Work for Work Room Design. Mr. Rimer presented a letter from Robert P Stanley for preparing a proposal for the new workroom. There was some discussion as to the cost of preparation for the proposal. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to authorize a $1,000 payment for preparation of a plan for a new workroom. Motion passed four to one, with Mr. Jones voting against.
Approved Application for Public Fire Hydrant – Woodruff Way. There was some question whether this hydrant had already been approved or not. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the application for a public Fire Hydrant on Woodruff Way. Motion passed unanimously.
EAC - Business for the Bay Workshop. Patti Estheimer of EAC presented a proposed letter, and brochure, to go out to all business owners in the township soliciting interest in a workshop about the Businesses for the Bay program. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to send the letter and brochure and tally responses. Motion passed unanimously. The EAC is also proposing a program to collect household hazardous waste. They are working with Neil Johnson, Dauphin County Solid Waste and Recycling, and Julia Moreno, a regional consultant for Curbside Inc.
Conditional Use Approval Extension – CD School District. Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz to approve the extension of the conditional use submitted by the CD School District. Motion passed unanimously.
Notice of Intent – General Permit. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to table the NOI for the CD School District General Permit of Storm Water from Construction Activities. Motion passed unanimously.
Authorize Plan for Use of Bond Funds in 2002. The Board considered several alternatives to use the remaining bond funds. Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to use $44,102 of the bond fund to pay for the Ford Dump Truck ordered on State Contract. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Harman also requested purchase of a small to medium size grader for road prep and snow removal. A preliminary estimate is between $68,000 and $105,000. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, authorizing advertising for bids on a grader with specifications supplied by Mr. Harman. Motion passed unanimously.
There was also discussion of a storage facility for the public works equipment. It is unclear whether this would qualify for the bond however use of the bond funds does free up some budgeted funds. The Board requested Mr. Harman get updated estimates on a lean-to facility for equipment storage.
The Board agreed that any remaining balance of the bond could be used to offset the material costs of the Morning Star Drainage and Road Re-Construction.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Yost stated that he would be working
with the Fire Company to file a claim.
There was a great deal of discussion about
the letter from the Manada Hill United Methodist Church about the sewer
hook-up. There was an easement granted
by the Church to NSM Enterprises. In
exchange for the easement the church received $3000 and received a sewer line
connection to the church, paid for by NSM.
The church, however, must pay for the tapping fee. This is contradictory to what is stated in
the letter from the church to the Board.
The letter from Yingst homes regarding the
animal ordinance was also discussed.
Mr. Rimer will reply via letter.
OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME
BEFORE THE BOARD
Mrs.
Zimmerman raised the issue of the Fox Mill Rd. project. Mrs. Zimmerman moved,
seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to pay the Water and Sewer Authority the budgeted amount
of $16,000, plus the actual cost of paving, to complete the project. Motion passed three to two with Mr. Millard
and Mr. Ziltz opposed.
It
was reported to the Board about the Planning Commission member who was invited
to the Executive Session of the Board but was unable to attend. Mr. Ziltz made the motion,
seconded by Mr. Millard, to enact the provisions of the MPC to begin the
process of removal of Mr. Gaffey from the Planning Commission at the next Board
of Supervisors meeting on August 5, 2002.
Motion passed four to one with Mrs. Zimmerman against.
Roadmaster. It was reported that the macadam is sliding off the base on
Jonestown Rd. The Township Engineer has
been in touch with PennDot. Mr. Harman
also has on his schedule to complete work at Fairville Park where new
playground equipment will be.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Don
Steinmeier, 11 N. Fairville.
Mr. Steinmeier questioned the origin of the billing of the
streetlights. Mr. Steinmeier requested
information in the next newsletter on the solicitation policy of the
Township. The Township must issue
permits prior to any door-to-door solicitation. Mr. Steinmeier agreed that the animal control ordinance needs to
be revisited. Mr. Steinmeier also gave
some background information on the Manada Hill United Methodist Church. Pilot Oil at one point made an offer to
purchase the church but it was declined.
John
Kerschner, Fine Line Homes.
Mr. Kerschner provided his concerns over the inability of the Sagewicke
representatives to provide a date certain when the road project will
start. Several deadline dates have
passed by with no action. Security has
been released and phase approvals given, so the project continues to move
forward. It appears there is no
incentive for the completion of the road.
There is both an economic and competitive advantage to the Sagewicke
Developers to delay the road as long as possible. Mr. Houck called Mr. Kerschner stating that if they wanted to
contribute financially to the project, he would accelerate the project in his
schedule. Mr. Yost reported that now
that the easements are signed the whole thing should rapidly move forward and a
start date for the project can be determined within days.
SUPERVISORS COMMENTS
Mr.
Ziltz. Mr. Ziltz
will be attending another tax collection meeting and will pass on the minutes
to Mr. Rimer. Mr. Ziltz has been
lobbied about the Movie Program moving to the new Skyline Commons. He feels that the decision to move the
program should be strongly reaffirmed, even though the pavilion is not ready as
scheduled. The former site is no longer
appropriately accessible or safe for the program even if some scheduled movies
must be canceled while waiting for the new site.
There
was also discussion of the budget process and determining project lists for the
coming year. A variety of uses for the
caboose, behind the Township building, have been discussed over the years
however no action has been taken. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to ask the
Park and Recreation Board to develop recommendations for use of the caboose, by
September 3, 2002. Motion passed
unanimously. Last
year there was a citizen proposal for planting chestnut trees on the
undeveloped land at Fairville Park. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to task
both the Park and Recreation Board and the EAC to research the project and
develop a proposal for inclusion in next year’s budget. Motion passed unanimously.
Mrs. Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman thanked all the staff for
their participation in the Patriotic Festival.
She also reported on a tree and bush blocking the site lines at the intersection
of Sarhelm Rd. and Devonshire Heights Rd.
ADJOURNMENT Time: 10:50 PM