UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

 

 

 

 

Call to Order and Roll Call

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Fain, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Township Supervisors in attendance were Shannan Bieler, Richard Fain, Eugene Fried, Mary Gibbs Kershner and Eugene Marks.  Planning Commission members in attendance were Herbert Carter, Richard Fain, Jacqeline Fiorito and Beverly Mudd.  Staff members in attendance were Edward A. Skypala, Township Solicitor, Larry Buck, Road Foreman, Linda Cluck, LTL Consultants and Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr., Township Manager.

 

Citizen Comments

 

Citizens in attendance did not present comments.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve the Upper Hanover Township Workshop Meeting Minutes of August 10, 2009 and the Regular Meeting Minutes of August 11, 2009.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried affirmatively with Mrs. Bieler abstaining from the vote.

 

Monthly Invoices

 

1.  Previously Paid Bills Authorization

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the previously paid bills in the amount of $517.65 from the Parks and Recreation Fund. The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Approval of Monthly Bills to be Paid

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the monthly bills payment in the General Fund in the amount of $77,912.17, Municipal Facility Fund in the amount of $6,130.36, Escrow Fund in the amount of $11,878.60 and Parks and Recreation Fund in the amount of $1,664.90.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Monthly Reports

 

1.  Treasurer’s Report

 

Manager Seitzinger entered the monthly Treasurer’s Report into the record.

 

2.  State Police Report

 

Manager Seitzinger entered the monthly State Police Report into the record.

 

3.  Building Inspector Report

 

Manager Seitzinger entered the monthly Building Inspector Report into the record.

 

4.  Fire Marshal Report

 

A report was not presented.

 

5.  Road Report

 

Larry Buck entered the Road Report into the record.

 

Chairman Fain thanked the road crew for their excellent work relating to the Camelot Park Dedication.

 

Special Items

 

1.  Public Hearing – Bradley R. Herrmann Conditional Use – 1052 Walt Road

 

Township Solicitor Skypala assumed the Chair of the meeting.  In the presence of a court reporter, Mr. Skypala entered the proof of publication, public hearing notice and certification of posting into the record.  Mr. Mullaney presented an overview and solicited testimony regarding the proposal. 

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to approve the conditional use for Bradley R. Herrmann relating to 1052 Walt Road, Red Hill, PA as per the Conditional Use Order.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Public Hearing – Agricultural Security Area District – James Landis – 3106

     Township Woods Road

 

Jim Landis presented an overview of his proposal to enter 15.93 acres of his property at 3106 Township Woods Road into the Upper Hanover Township Agricultural Security Area District. 

 

Mr. Skypala entered the public notice, proof of publication and certification of posting into the record.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Resolution 2009-26 to enter the parcel into the Upper Hanover Township Agricultural Security Area District.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried affirmatively with Mrs. Bieler abstaining from the vote due to a possible future business relationship with Mr. Landis.

 

(The Chair of the meeting was returned to Chairman Fain.)

 

3.  Windmill and Outdoor Burner Ordinance

 

The Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission members and citizens in attendance discussed the proposed Windmill and Outdoor Burner Ordinance amendments to the Upper Hanover Township Zoning Ordinance.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to authorize advertisement of the proposed Windmill and Outdoor Burner Ordinance with an amendment to reduce the proposed setback for the windmills to 150 feet.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bieler and carried unanimously.

 

4.  Mandatory Sewer Hook-Up Ordinance

 

Mr. Skypala presented an overview of the preliminary draft of the proposed amendment to the Mandatory Sewer Hook-Up Ordinance.

 

Mr. Carter inquired if provisions of the ordinance allow for an appeal if citizens are experiencing a financial hardship.  Mr. Skypala indicated that he will review appropriate language.  Discussion ensued as to why residents with functioning on-lot systems should be required to hook up to a public system. 

 

Chairman Fain requested a motion to authorize advertisement of the proposed ordinance.  A motion was not presented.  The ordinance was tabled for further review.

 

Planning and Zoning

 

1.  Zoning

 

There was nothing new to report.

 

2.  Subdivisions and Land Developments

 

A.  Waivers Approval – YMCA Land Development

 

The waivers were tabled for further review.

 

B. Pogue Tract Minor Subdivision Waiver Approvals

 

The waivers were tabled for further review.

 

C. Stauffer/Putera Waiver Approvals

 

The waivers were tabled for further review.

 

D. Macoby Woods Dedication – Fences and Plantings

 

Howard Brown, representing the applicant, proposed providing a $15,100.00 contribution to Upper Hanover Township relating to trees removed from the subdivision by property owners.  Mr. Brown further recommended retaining a $20,000.00 escrow balance for the finalization for fence removal requirements.  It was noted that the open space and road dedications could then be accepted with a provision of a 5% retainage for the 18 month maintenance period relating to the roads.

 

Mrs. Kershner moved to adopt Resolution 2009-27.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

E.  Macoby Self Storage Minor Subdivision

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to accept the time extension for review to December 4, 2009.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

Cynthia Smith represented the applicant and reviewed the waiver requests with the Board of Supervisors.

 

Committee Reports

 

1.  Budget and Finance Committee

 

Chairman Fain provided an update on the status of the 2010 Upper Hanover Township Budget.

 

2.  Personnel Committee

 

A report was not presented.

 

3.  Open Space, Parks and Recreation Committee

 

Mr. Fried provided an update.

 

4.  Renewable Energy and Recycling Task Force

 

Mrs. Bieler presented an overview of the scheduled Renewable Energy Forum.

 

Mrs. Bieler reported that letters regarding recycling requirements were set for distribution.

 

5.  Regional Planning and Planning Committee

 

Mrs. Bieler provided an update.

 

6.  Sewage and Water Committee

 

There was nothing new to report.

 

7.  Bridge and Road Committee

 

Mr. Fried reported on the status of the bids for the line painting program.  Mr. Fried moved to award the 2009 line painting contract to Interstate Road Management Corp. in the amount of $15,166.67.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Fried reported that the Church Road culvert project was bid and set for opening on October 7, 2009. 

 

Mr. Fried reported that the Kutztown Road Bridge and the James Road Bridge were presently under construction by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

 

A brief discussion ensued regarding snow plowing requirements at the Northgate Subdivision during the 2009/2010 winter season. 

 

A discussion ensued regarding the possible assistance to the Vineyards Homeowners Association regarding the installation of roadway signs.  The Township Solicitor recommended that signs on the private roadways should be installed by a private contractor. 

 

8.  Public Safety Committee

 

Mrs. Kershner presented comments regarding proposed legislation for a coverage fee relating to State Police services. 

 

Mrs. Fiorito inquired if anyone with Upper Hanover Township is holding discussions with the Pennsburg Mayor on regional police services.  Mr. Fried indicated that he spoke to the Pennsburg Mayor, but not regarding participation with the Regional Police Department.  Mrs. Bieler requested an update regarding negotiations with the Regional Police Commission.  Mr. Fried indicated that there was not any progress on negotiations.  Mrs. Bieler inquired as to why Mr. Fried did not attend a Regional Police Commission

meeting. 

 

Mrs. Kershner reported upon her attendance at a Regional Police Commission meeting. 

 

Mrs. Bieler stated that someone other than Mr. Fried should negotiate with the Regional Police Commission for the Board of Supervisors.

 

Township Engineer’s Report

 

The monthly report from LTL Consultants was entered into the record.

 

1.  Escrow Releases

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve the following escrow releases:

 

            - St. Luke’s Hospital Escrow Release #1 - $10,754.67

            - The Shoppes at Upper Hanover Escrow Release #5 - $4,365.63

            - Macoby Run Phase 2 Escrow Release #7 - $1,855.08

            - Wild Run Road Subdivision Escrow Release #7 - $763.47

            - The Vineyards Phase 3 Maintenance Guarantee Release #1 - $2,949.56

            - Reserve at Macoby Run, Phase 3 Escrow Release #5 - $1,946.38

 

The motion was seconded by Mr. Fried and carried unanimously.

 

Township Manager’s Report

 

A report was not presented.

 

Township Solicitor’s Report

 

A report was not presented.

 

Old Business

 

Old business was not presented.

 

New Business

 

1.  2010 Pension Plan Minimum Municipal Obligation 

 

Mr. Marks moved to approve the 2010 Pension Plan Minimum Municipal Obligation as certified by the Township Actuary.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Kershner and carried unanimously.

 

2.  Northgate

 

The Township Solicitor reported that he has not received an update report from the bankruptcy lawyer hired by Upper Hanover Township relating to the Northgate Subdivision project.

 

3.  Township Finances

 

Mrs. Bieler suggested that verbal reports on the status of Township finances be presented at least three or four times per year. 

 

4.  Emergency Plan

 

Mr. Marks inquired on the completion status of the updated Emergency Management Plan.  Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Buck stated that the plan will be completed and ready for submission to Montgomery County by the end of September of 2009.

 

Adjournment

 

Mrs. Bieler moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Marks and carried unanimously.

 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Stanley W. Seitzinger, Jr.

                                                                                    Township Manager