Board of Commissioners
9-24-18 Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Edward Black, President Richard Grove, Finance Director
Jack Simpson, Vice President David Holl, Public Safety Director
Richard F. Schin John Eby, Building & Zoning Coordinator
Dean W. Villone Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
Carolyn Holtzman Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary
President Black called the September 24, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:01 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner VILLONE made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 10, 2018 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0, with Vice President Simpson abstaining due to absence from that meeting.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS FOR LONGEVITY
Rick Stumbaugh, Seasonal Maintenance Specialist, was recognized by President Black with a Commendation Letter for his 10 years of service with the Lower Allen Township Parks Department. Dianna Knisley, Executive Assistant for the Public Safety Department, was recognized by President Black with a Commendation Letter for her 20 years of service. She has been employed by Lower Allen Township since 1990. Dan Flint, Public Works Department Director and Township Engineer, was recognized for his 20 years of service with Lower Allen Township. A Commendation Letter will be given to him upon his return.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION There was no response.
CONSENT AGENDA
President Black asked that any Commissioner, staff member or anyone in attendance who would like to have an item on the Consent Agenda removed for further discussion request so now. There was no response.
- Adoption of RESOLUTION 2018-R-37 to amend section 5.07 of the Township Personnel Manual, Tuition Reimbursement. This would make tuition reimbursement equal for both uniform and non-uniform employees of Lower Allen Township.
- Approval of Department Reports for the month of August for Assistant Manager, Community Development, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety, July and August for Facilities, and February, March, July, and August for the Fleet Department.
- Approval of the Tax Collector’s August 2018 monthly report
Vice President SIMPSON made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda and Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.
PRESIDENT BLACK
- Check Register: Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the Check Register of September 14, 2018 in the amount of $293,191.23. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.
- ORDINANCE 2018-09: Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to enact the ordinance which would amend the Non-Uniformed Pension Ordinance by ending new membership in the Defined Benefit Plan as of October 1st.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Villone: Aye
Vice President Simpson: Aye
President Black: Aye
Commissioner Schin: Aye
Commissioner Holtzman: Aye
- ORDINANCE 2018-05, Litter: Vice President Simpson stated that he objects to the word “bags” referring to plastic bags in the ordinance. He feels the plastic bags are an environmental issue and some businesses are discontinuing use of plastic bags. He is also in favor of an “opt in” as opposed to “opt out” program for residents who receive the Patriot-News supplement. Commissioner Villone and President Black feel that the plastic wrapper is necessary for the papers because they will be a worse problem if they are wet and left out in streets and driveways. Commissioner Schin questioned Section 3d of the Ordinance. Steve Miner, Township Solicitor, explained that this is an opt out revision to the ordinance. The newspaper will provide the language telling people how to stop delivery, as well as providing the opt out information to the Township. Kurt Hower of the Patriot-News stated that they tried to make the opt out process easier by including a phone number on the nameplate as well as an option for doing it online. He also stated that plastic bags from the paper can be recycled at area grocery stores. Mr. Miner stated that ORDINANCE 2018-05 will have to be re-advertised due to significant changes that were made to it. Commissioner VILLONE made a motion to re-advertise the motion and Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded it. Motion carried 3-2, with Commissioners SIMPSON and SCHIN opposed. The Ordinance will be voted on at the October 22, 2018 public meeting.
ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP There was none.
PUBLIC SAFETY
David Holl, Director of Public Safety, announced that Public Safety Officer Tom Cook is resigning his position as of October 7, 2017. He is taking a position at the Department of the Navy in Philadelphia. Mr. Holl requested permission to advertise to hire a replacement for Mr. Cook. Commissioner SCHIN made a motion which was seconded by Commissioner VILLONE. Motion carried 5-0. President Black wished Tom the best of luck on behalf of the Board of Commissioners.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
John Eby, Building & Zoning Coordinator, led a discussion on SLD Docket No. 2018-08, which is a Lot Line Adjustment for 1528 & 1540 Sheepford Road. Project Engineer Dave Habowski from HD Engineering and property owner Jason Osterlund were also present and spoke. There is no development planned and approximately 3.644 acres will be exchanged with the adjustment. Mr. Eby showed the properties in question on the overhead projector. The land is zoned as R1, Single Family. Mr. Habowski stated that they will address the feedback received from the Engineer and the County which is very minimal. The Commissioners asked Mr. Osterlund what his plans are for the land and he wants to sell the house and keep the land. He may eventually develop it. It is anticipated that this will be on the agenda as an action item for the October 8 public meeting.
FINANCE
Mr. Richard Grove wished to remind everyone that the first Budget Meeting will be held next Monday, October 1st, at 6:00 pm.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mr. Eby mentioned that the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association is delaying their next membership and events meeting until December. They are also in the process of finding a new host for their website.
Building and Zoning work on the ordinance to update chapters 70, 103, and 160 to match the 2015 codes is ongoing. Due to some unforeseen complications, it should be in the next packet. Spring Gate Vineyard and Brewery is planning to build at Arcona in phase 2.3. They are having a groundbreaking party on the village green this Saturday at 4:00. If interested in attending, please let Helen know and she will pass along the RSVP.
Commissioner Villone inquired about the difference between reportable and non-reportable traffic accidents that were mentioned in the Public Safety monthly report. Mr. Holl stated that a reportable accident is one where there is injury, fatality, or a vehicle must be towed. A non-reportable accident is less serious, like a fender bender. A certified police officer must investigate and do the report for a reportable accident, while a CSO or PSO is able to investigate a non-reportable accident as a service to the community. Most reportable accidents are now being done in the new Tracs software, which is faster. The number of officers which must respond to the call depends on the type of the call.
Commissioner Villone also asked about the building fees collected by Community Development. Fees collected so far this year are above what was budgeted. Mr. Grove stated that it is a tough number to predict because it is dependent on the economy and varies. Mr. Eby stated that building at Arcona has contributed to the surplus for this year.
Vice President Simpson spoke about recent thefts that occurred at Dick’s Sporting Goods amounting to $12,000. Employees are not allowed to get involved.
He expressed concern about drivers using the newly painted parking lines on Carlisle Road for a passing lane and asked if there is a way to mark them differently. Mr. Holl stated that PennDOT is responsible for all painting on that road because it is a state road. Mr. Holl will talk to Dan, who has contacts at PennDOT.
Vice President Simpson also asked Mr. Holl about rumors of human trafficking on social media. Mr. Holl assured the Board that there are no indications of human trafficking happening here. If there was a legitimate complaint, it would be aggressively pursued. There would also be reports on Crimewatch and Crimemapper.
Commissioner Holtzman expressed concern that residents in Rossmoyne Manor are putting grass clippings in the street and parking in the lawns. It is making the development look bad.
Solicitor Miner told the Board that the Lower Allen Township Stormwater Authority is official and that the paperwork was filed on September 14th. The first meeting of the Stormwater Authority is set for October 4, 2018 at 8:30 pm.
Public Safety Director Holl wanted to make everyone aware that Fire Prevention Week is coming up. It goes for the first 2 weeks of October in order to get to all of the schools.
President Black stated that the Fredrickson Library wished to thank the Township for the $2,600 donation to the library which we make annually. He also has received word that the Radle Electric Contractors has invited anyone who is available to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of their new business location in the Lower Allen Plaza across from the Lower Allen Municipal building. This is scheduled for October 23rd from 7:30 – 8:30 am.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Judy Razvillas of 1341 Sagamore Court, New Cumberland, addressed the Board about concerns she has relating to the upcoming HOA for Beacon Hill Heights. She thought the Township was involved due to letters being sent to residents in envelopes from the Township. Commissioner Villone stated that there has been a link for updates for the Beacon Hill HOA on our website. He recommended Ms. Razvillas attend the HOA meetings as she will get more pertinent information there.
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:20 pm.