Board of Commissioners
4-10-17 Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 10, 2017
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
| BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | TOWNSHIP STAFF |
| H. Edward Black, President | Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager |
| Peddrick M. Young, Sr., Vice President | Erin Trone, Assistant Township Manager |
| Richard F. Schin | David Holl, Director of Public Safety |
| Carolyn Holtzman | Richard Grove, Director of Finance |
| Jack Simpson | Daniel Flint, Community Development |
| John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator | |
| Leon Crone, Police Captain | |
| Steven P. Miner, Solicitor | |
| Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary |
President Black called the April 10, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm. He followed with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 27, 2017 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
There was no response.
CONSENT AGENDA
President Black advised that any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance could request any item on the Consent Agenda be removed for further discussion and asked if there was such request. There was no response.
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
- Reduction in Improvement Security for SLD Docket No. 2000-11, Heights of Beacon Hill, Phase 2, establishing a new amount of $7,175.03 and a new expiration date of April 6, 2018.
- Reduction in Improvement Security for SLD Docket No. 2005-22, Heights of Beacon Hill, Phase 3, establishing a new amount of $16,256.55, and a new expiration date of April 6, 2018.
Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Registers
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of March 31, 2017 in the amount of $123,131.56. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Manual Check Register for March 2017 in the amount of $14,290.50, and a Replacement Check Register for March 2017 in the amount of $25.00. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0, with President Black abstaining due to a relative of his receiving a manual check.
Ordinance 2017-04 – amending Chapter 147, Noise Control
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to enact Ordinance 2017-04, an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, amending the Code of the Township of Lower Allen 1997, by amending Chapter 147, Noise Control, to prohibit certain noise associated with the operation of motor vehicles in the Township.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Holtzman – Aye
Commissioner Schin – Aye
President Black – Aye
Vice President Young – Aye
Commissioner Simpson – Aye
Ordinance 2017-04 was approved by a 5-0 vote.
Resolution 2017-R-09 – Eagle Scout – Jonathan Reynolds Pastor
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-R-09, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County Pennsylvania, recognizing, commending and honoring Jonathan Reynolds Pastor for the attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. President Black asked the Manager what project the Scout did. Mr. Vernau said that he planted some trees and built benches and an informational marker at the Beacon Hill Radar Site Park.
ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
There was no response.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Zoning Hearing Board
Mr. Eby spoke about Docket 2017-01. The applicant was seeking a variance to allow a landscaping business to operate at 1785 Sheepford Road. He showed the Board the location and discussed Sheepford Road. The Zoning Hearing Board approved the requested variances. Mr. Flint, Township Engineer, testified about the concerns with the roads and traffic. The applicant stated that there would be about seven deliveries a year of materials with the larger trucks. Mr. Eby discussed the Board’s option to appeal the decision. Solicitor Miner stated that it can be tough to overturn these decisions as it is based on the applicant meeting the five variance criteria, and the road condition may not sway the judge. He would need to read the transcript to get a better idea. Commissioner Schin suggested asking the Solicitor to review the transcript and report back to the Board at the next meeting. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion directing the Solicitor to review the transcript for Docket 2017-01 and report back to the Board at the next meeting. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Eby discussed Docket #2017-02, a request for a variance from Lamar Advertising for the placement of a billboard at the intersection of Gettysburg Rd. and Wesley Dr. He showed the Board the location of the proposed billboard, property lines, the air pump machine location at the gas station and setbacks off Gettysburg Road. He stated that a permit was given to another company and is being leased by Lamar. When Lamar did the survey, they realized there is an issue with the 10-foot setbacks. He showed the Board an illustration of what the sign would look like at the location. Only one side of the sign would be electric. Discussion ensued.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to oppose the Docket 2017-02 requested variance and instruct the Solicitor to attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting for this docket. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Building Safety Month
Mr. Eby stated that May is Building Safety Month and let the Board know that staff would be presenting a resolution proclaiming such to the Board at the April 24th meeting.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Proposed Changes to Chapter 63 – Amusement Devices
Mrs. Trone stated that the Development Authority reviewed the ordinance for coin-operated amusement devices and recommended some changes for the benefit of both the Township and businesses. She stated that currently there are five business that have electronic operated amusement devices in the Township. She spoke about the purpose of Chapter 63 from the 1980’s for arcades and the changes in the industry. She spoke about the Township’s revenue of $1,200 a year as there is a per-machine permit fee for the establishments. She highlighted the following proposed changes to the ordinance:
- Added the word “Card” to the definition of Coin-operated Amusement Devices, as some machines only accept cards now versus coins.
- Imposed a maximum permit fee of $100 per coin-operated amusement device, as the fees are set by resolution each year.
- Added that minors may operate these machines if accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
- Changed from no prizes may be offered to allowing prizes.
Commissioner Schin asked why the Development Authority reviewed it. Mrs. Trone said that one of their roles is to work to bring in business to the Township.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to authorize the advertising of the changes to Ordinance Chapter 63, Amusement Devices. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2017-R-10 – Grant for Fun Fort
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-R-10, a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the President of the Board of Commissioners to Execute Documents for a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for Grant Agreement. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
MANAGER
Extension of the refuse contract with Penn Waste
Mr. Vernau stated that the Penn Waste contract expires this year. The contract contains an option to extend the contract for a three-year term. Penn Waste has proposed a $2.82 increase per quarter for the three-year extension. He stated that the complaints have decreased with Penn Waste. Commissioner Holtzman spoke about issues she is having in her neighborhood, including not cleaning up spilled trash and racing down the street in their trucks. Mr. Vernau stated that if she is noticing those problems, she should let him know so he can address it. Discussion ensued.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve to approve a three-year extension with Penn Waste for refuse pickup in the Township. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Holtzman opposing.
Changing the EMT work day from 7.5 hours to 8 hours
Mr. Vernau discussed his memo outlining the request to move the EMTs from a 7.5-hour work day to an 8-hour workday. He spoke about the issue in the past and how they don’t get a chance to go off the clock for a half hour to eat lunch. He stated that we already budget for 8 hours a day for EMTs and would like to officially move them to these hours. Commissioner Schin spoke about their seemingly low pay for what they do, and President Black asked how many of the EMTs have other jobs. Director Holl stated that most of the EMTs have other jobs and he spoke about the required rest time needed before coming here for their EMT shift. He stated that staff is doing a salary survey for EMTs. President Black asked the Manager if he agreed with this change, to which Mr. Vernau replied yes. Discussion ensued.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the change to the Personnel Manual to change the EMT work day from 7.5 hours to 8 hours. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Fredricksen Library Trustee Appointment
Mr. Vernau apologized to Commissioner Holtzman as she didn’t receive the information he sent her on the contact for the Library Board. He stated that they did receive the resume’ of David Schmidt, who is extremely interested. Mr. Schmidt met with the Library staff and they are very interested and excited about him being part of the Library Board.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to appoint Mr. David Schmidt to the Frederickson Library Board as the representative for Lower Allen Township. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mrs. Trone spoke about the communication regarding the Comprehensive Plan, the survey, and Visioning week. She encouraged the Board to reach out to the residents about participating.
Director Holl stated that the Fire Captain position is posted and the deadline for applications is April 28th, with interviews being scheduled for May, and hopefully a candidate to the Board in June.
Captain Crone spoke about the increased fraud this month with credit cards.
Commissioner Schin asked about the Ranchland property. Mr. Flint stated that there is a new owner but no plans or demolition permit have been submitted.
Vice President Young asked Mr. Eby for a status update on the Sheepford private sewer system. Mr. Eby stated that the deadline is tomorrow at noon and things won’t be able to be completed by that time. He has been in contact with DEP, the owner and the renter, and they are working toward a solution but the owner waited too long. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner Simpson spoke about attending the PSATC meeting in Pittsburgh.
President Black spoke about the recognition Lower Allen Township Police received in assisting victims of crime.
Mr. Eby spoke about the efforts of the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association in cleaning up the streams and surrounding areas. He stated that 42 students from a Cedar Cliff High School environmental science class showed up and cleaned parts of the Beacon Hill area along the Yellow Breeches. He spoke about an upcoming Public Forum on May 11th which will include a panel discussion. More information will be provided next week to the Board.
Mr. Flint stated that construction will start soon on the Beacon Hill trail extension and the sidewalk along Gettysburg Road.
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:18 pm.