WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

7171 ALLENTOWN BOULEVARD, HARRISBURG, PA  17112

MONDAY, JULY 21, 2003

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Chairman Jones called the meeting to order at 7 PM.  Mrs. Zimmerman offered a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  .

 

ROLL CALL

 

Robert Jones, Chairman                              Gloria Zimmerman, Supervisor

Robert Ziltz, Vice Chairman                        Earl Hoffman, Supervisor

Stephen Millard, Secretary/Treasurer         

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Shirley McCahan, 7230 Jonestown Rd.  Ms. McCahan addressed the issue of excessive speeding on Township roads.  Recently a car went off the road into a field.  The McCahan’s invited the police to use their driveway and within 40 minutes they stopped three speeders.  Two days after a rock was thrown through their bow window.  Ms. McCahan stated that the time is coming for some law enforcement in the Township.

 

Beth Carricato, 699 Knight Rd.  Ms. Carricato echoed Ms. McCahan’s sentiments on law enforcement.  She also addressed the issue of resident involvement in the comp plan update.  She feels that there was a great deal of involvement for both meetings in addition to a phenomenal response to the 1999 survey.  She also stated that the legislative body, the Supervisors, must buy into the plan.

 

PRESENTATIONS/STAFF REPORTS

 

Comp Plan Update – Jim Zeiters, Chairman.  Mr. Zeiters reported that the Planning Commission and the Consultant have just finalized the land use map.  Using the present zoning districts, the consultants developed a projected doubling of the population in 20 years.  The Planning Commission, in order to follow the preferences of the residents, are attempting to reduce the densities in some districts, especially the Village district, which has seen almost complete multi-family developments recently.  The consultants will have new population figures for the next workshop meeting on August 13.  There are plans for a public meeting in September with a presentation for adoption to the Board in October.  At that time the Planning Commission will recommend a moratorium on all zoning changes until the zoning ordinances can be updated.  This may necessitate an extension of the contract with the consultants into 2004 in order to allow for the zoning changes and sub-division and land development ordinance modifications.  The commercial district behind Jonestown Rd. was explained as an area against the interstate with a service road accessing the area.

 

Exit 77 Concepts – Al Brulo and Dave Beachy, HRG, Inc.  Mr. Brulo reported that the survey work and traffic counts at Exit 77 have been completed.  They have developed some rough concepts, which were presented to the Supervisors.  They are not ready for public consumption at this time.

 

Roadmaster Report.  Mr. Harmon presented pictures of trash left outside the gate at the public works shop.  He also reported on trash being dumped into the compost bin.  Because of these problems he has had to shut the gates during working hours, preventing dumping in the compost bin.  Compost dumping will only be allowed on Saturdays from 8 AM to 12 noon, when the site has an attendant.  He will investigate the possibility of providing an attendant one day during the week.  Many residents have expressed their displeasure to Mr. Harmon.  Ms. McCahan stated that Mr. Harmon has been most cooperative and she understood the problems.  Mr. Harmon reported that the paving on Fairville Rd. is approximately ¾ done.  There has been a problem getting the blacktop supplies because PennDot is in the area paving and utilizes all the local supplies.  The drainage project for Moyer Rd. must be put off till next year.  He is trying to get to the Morningstar Rd. drainage project yet this year.    Mr. Rimer stated that as a result of Ms. Zimmerman’s formal complaint Mr. Leonard has inspected the driveway at Applebee, which is now a zoning issue.  Mr. Harmon has also visited the site several times.  Mrs. Zimmerman read a thank you letter addressed to the Public Works Road crew.

 

Park and Recreation Coordinator.  Ms. Fesig made a preliminary report on the Festival.  There was more corporate sponsorship this year however she felt the attendance was down from last year.  She also drew attention to the completed marquee in front of the Municipal building.  She reported on the caboose discussions at the Park and Recreation Board meeting.  They had received two verbal figures from contractors of approximate $9000 for repairs to the caboose to outfit it for birthday parties.  After much discussion the consensus of the Park and Rec Board was to leave it as a static display and put it onto their budget project list with a low priority and cost of $9000.  Ms. Fesig also reported that the playground program is in its 4th week with approximately 80 children.  The contract for soda from Pepsi appears later on the agenda.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING/MEETING:

 

Ordinance 2003-10 - Zoning Ordinance Amendment 195-122 Buffering.  See complete transcript.

Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to table this amendment.  Motion passed three to two with Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Jones voting against.

 

Ordinance 2003-11 - Zoning Ordinance Amendment 195-90 Open Space.  See complete transcript.

Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to approve Zoning Ordinance Amendment 195-90 with the following addition, “The private open space conservation easement shall be maintained as originally established”.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Workshop meeting – July 7, 2003.  There was one correction to the date of the meeting.  Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to approve the minutes.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Regular meeting – July 7, 2003.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to approve the minutes as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Mr. Millard read the Treasurer’s report:

 

General Fund Balance as of July 18, 2003                                             $993,671.95

Total Liquid Fuels Balance as of July 18, 2003                                      $584,876.59

 

 

Mr. Millard identified the following prepaid expenditures:

 

Payroll, July 11, 20023               Net:  $21,245.16          Gross payroll:  $29,742.08

Vouchers prepaid to meet due dates                                                       $14,003.72

                                                Total prepaid expenditures                 $43,745.80

 

Mrs. Zimmerman moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman to approve the prepaid expenditures as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Vouchers to be approved                                                                       $72,931.71

 

Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz, to approve the vouchers as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Financial Statement, June, 2003. 

 

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS AND PLANS

 

#01.010, F/LD Vartan Bank, Clover Lane & Allentown Boulevard.  Action of BOS by July 21, 2003.  An extension was received till August 25, 2003.  Action of BOS by August 18, 2003.

Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mr. Ziltz to table the item until the August 18, 2003, meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Preliminary SD/LD plan for Mapleton Grove, Tax Parcel 68-028-035.  Received time extension to Aug. 18, 2003.  Action of BOS by August 18, 2003.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Project/Program Status Report.  There was a question about the status of the Swatara Capacity.  It was agreed that Mr. Shope should present a report at the next meeting.

 

The consensus of the Board was to remove the caboose from the project list.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Millard, to have the Township find a new home for the caboose.  Motion passed three to two with Mr. Jones and Mr. Hoffman voting against.

 

Resolution 2003-37 - Appoint New Member to EAC for Seat #3.  Several volunteer applications were presented to the Board.  Mr. Millard moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to appoint Bill Ostermayer to fill seat #3 of the EAC.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Consent Items.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman to approve the following consent items:

1.      Conference Attendance Authorization, Section 607.4, for Harold Arndt – Commercial Energy Plans Exam, September 13, 2003, cost $125.

2.      Act 14 Notification – American Water Services – Truck Stops Corporation of America Permit Renewal application

3.      Application for Public Fire Hydrants – Millstone Phase 1, Northeast intersection of Cobblestone Dr. and Stoneridge Circle, and Creek Bottom Drive +/- 260 feet south of Cobblestone Dr.

4.      Application for Public Fire Hydrant – Clover Hill Development, Bretz Dr., +/-200 feet east of Hershey Rd. (SR 39)

 

Motion passed unanimously.

 

Selection of Architectural Firm to Review - Township Building Assessment and Concept Plans.  At the workshop meeting on July 14, 2003, two firms gave presentations related to the RFP for Architectural services.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to award the contract for Phase I to Bink Architectural Partnership.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Authorize Chapter 187 - Stop Sign Assessments and Code Amendment to Section 187-19.  Mr. Rimer asked for this stop sign study as a result of issues raised at a previous Board meeting. Their report identified 33 stop signs or intersection that had unresolved issues. Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Jones, to request a quote from the Township Engineer on the study of the stops signs, or lack thereof, in the Township.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Authorize Soda Contract.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to award the soda contract to Pepsi Bottling Group.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Mr. Rimer pointed out the several letters sent out looking for funds to aid the School District in completion of the roadwork connected to the new High School.  The consensus of the Board was also to send a letter to Dr. Hasson and the School Board reminding them that the road must be completed before the school opens.  Mr. Millard also requested an informal survey of the permit costs charged by other municipalities to the Central Dauphin School system.

 

Mr. Rimer also reported that he has spoken with the Funeral Directors Association since receiving their letter.

 

OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD

 

Mr. Hoffman moved, seconded by Mrs. Zimmerman, to move forward with advertising for a public hearing on the draft ordinance amendment to the Property Maintenance Code section 302 to be scheduled on August 18,2003.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

The Township will send flowers to Mr. McNeil during his hospital stay.

 

Mr. Rimer reported on the upcoming SAMI workshop meeting here at the Township on August 13 or 14.  Attendees will include East Hanover Township, Lower Paxton Township, and PennDot.

 

Mr. Rimer also reported that there are approximately 8 projects being proposed to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. 

 

Solicitor Yost reported contact from Public Financial Management.  There are currently funds available at attractive rates with subsidies available for closing costs.  He also reported on the appealed filed by Cumulus Media to the Zoning Hearing Board.  Mr. Yost recommended filing as a party to the case in order to preserve the rights of the Township.  Mr. Ziltz moved, seconded by Mr. Hoffman, to file as a party to the case.  Motion passed four to one with Mr. Millard voting against.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Bob Rogers, President West Hanover Baseball and Softball Association.  In regards to the correspondence items #3 and 4, there was miscommunication between a Baseball board member and the Parks and Rec office.  The information on disposing of trash was never passed on the other Baseball Association member; therefore the trash was piled up at the baseball field as usual.  As a Park and Rec Board member, Mr. Rogers agreed that the issue of fees for an outside group should be revisited. 

 

Bill Ostermayer, Dauphin County Woodlands Association.  Mr. Ostermayer gave a short presentation on determining the age of trees.  He also encouraged everyone to join the Dauphin County Woodlands Association.

 

SUPERVISORS COMMENTS

 

Gloria Zimmerman.  Mrs. Zimmerman stated that at some point in the future the Board needs to look at providing local law enforcement.

 

Steve Millard.  Mr. Millard asked for information on a card entry system for the front door.

 

Bob Jones.  Mr. Jones questioned whether another person should be hired for the road crew.  Mr. Rimer will report back to the Board for the next meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT.  10:15 PM.