Board of Commissioners
6-24-19 Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 2019
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
| BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | TOWNSHIP STAFF |
| H. Edward Black, President | Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager |
| Dean W. Villone, Vice President | David Holl, Director of Public Safety |
| Richard F. Schin | Daniel Flint, Public Works Director |
| Carolyn Holtzman | Leon Crone, Police Captain |
| Peddrick M. Young, Sr. | Richard Grove, Finance Director |
| John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator | |
| Steven P. Miner, Solicitor | |
| Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary |
President Black called the June 24, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm. He followed with a prayer and the Pledge of the Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner HOLTZMAN made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 10, 2019 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS:
President Black recognized Mrs. Julie Echterling for helping out when the Community & Economic Development Department was short-staffed during the spring. Mr. David Ickler was recognized for 25 years of service. Commissioner YOUNG made a motion reconfirming adoption of Resolution 2019-R-22 recognizing David Ickler for 25 years of service to Lower Allen Township. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
The Board welcomed new employees Ms. Jody Etter and Mr. Joshua Schware as paramedics and Ms. Margarita Cruz as the Codes Technician.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
There were no comments offered.
PRESIDENT BLACK
Check Register
Commissioner HOLTZMAN made a motion to approve the Check Register of June 21, 2019 in the amount of $148,755.38. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Monthly Reports
Vice President VILLONE made a motion to approve the Department Reports for the month of May for Community Development, Facility Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0
Ordinance 2019-02- Parking Regulations for Recreational Vehicles and Buses
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to enact Ordinance 2019-02, an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, amending the Code of the Township of Lower Allen, Chapter 187, Streets and Sidewalks at Article VIII, Temporary Right-of-Way Obstructions; and Chapter 209, Vehicles and Traffic, at Article III, Parking Regulations and Article III(B), Parking Regulations for Recreational Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles
Commissioner Holtzman asked about people visiting residents for longer than 72 hours with campers. Mr. Vernau discussed the ordinance and stated that they would only be allowed to park on the street for 72 hours and what vehicles are covered. There is no exception for guests. Vice President Villone discussed the importance of putting this on social media and letting residents know, as we have the PSOs doing codes enforcement. He asked how the program would be implemented. Director Holl spoke about how the PSOs would provide warnings and copies of the new ordinance before ticketing to start. Commissioner Schin asked about pull-behinds being parked in a driveway. Mr. Vernau stated that they have to be less than 30 feet long and parked on an approved parking surface. Discussion ensued
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Holtzman – Aye
Commissioner Schin – Aye
President Black – Aye
Vice President Villone – Aye
Commissioner Young – Aye
Ordinance 2019-02 was enacted by a 5-0 vote.
Resolutions for New Hires
Commissioner YOUNG made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-R-27, appointing Nicole Boldosser as a Police Officer, effective July 1, 2019 at a starting hourly wage of $31.0040. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner YOUNG made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-R-28, appointing Jonathan Newcomer as a Police Officer, effective July 1, 2019 at a starting hourly wage of $30.5953. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-R-29, appointing Michael D. Quenzer to the position of Paramedic, for the Public Safety Department effective July 15, 2019. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
There was no response.
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cumberland County Conservation District.
Mr. Flint spoke about the need for updating the MOU with Cumberland County Conservation District. He spoke about the services they provide and how this outlines the responsibilities.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Lower Allen Township and the Cumberland County Conservation District. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Lower Allen Township Fee Waiver Request
Mr. Eby spoke about the permit needed for the demolition of the former Bon Ton building. There is a need for an electrical separation from the Bon Ton to the other sites on the property. The Development Authority is asking for a waiver of the fees involved with this permit. Commissioner Schin asked if there was an issue with waving the fees. Mr. Eby and Vernau spoke about the history of waving fees with component units and appendant bodies of the Township. Discussion ensued.
Vice President VILLONE made a motion to approve the request to waive the fees associated with the electrical separation contract permit fees for the Bon Ton property with the Development Authority. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0-2. President Black and Commissioner Young abstained as they are part of the Development Authority Board.
MANAGER
Mr. Vernau reported that he had received a letter of resignation from Public Works Maintenance Specialist Ryan Turpin. Ryan has been with us for 4 ½ years. He is resigning to take a similar position with New Cumberland Borough. His last day is July 5th.
Commissioner SCHIN moved to accept the resignation of Ryan Turpin, with Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconding. Motion was approved 5-0.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mr. Flint stated that the work on the roundabouts started today. Mr. Vernau was interviewed about the roundabouts and it should air on CBS 21 tonight at 11:00. He has advised the residents to check out PennDOT’s website for more information about roundabouts.
Mr. Flint will be attending a FEMA meeting to discuss the flood plain maps. Once completed they will need to be approved by the Board. Mr. Eby spoke about the Yellow Breeches annual cleanup on July 14th.
Mr. Rick Grove spoke about receiving the actuary’s information for the Minimum Municipal Obligation. He stated that this is the first major thing for the 2020 budget.
Mr. Vernau reminded the Commissioners of the passwords changing on Wednesday and he is available to help them with their iPads. He also spoke about House bill 1400 and reaching out to representatives.
Vice President Villone spoke about the PSATC conference and spoke about the changes coming as PSATC works with PA Municipal League. He believes it will be a good for all. He mentioned that he is still signing up vendors for the Lisburn Festival in August.
Commissioner Schin asked if putting crushed stone on your property makes it a parking space. Mr. Eby stated that if they received a zoning permit which also verifies stormwater issues, they would be okay. Commissioner Schin spoke about Old Slate Road and the parking on both sides and concerns with traffic coming off Route 15 and asked that it be looked at. Mr. Vernau stated that the ordinances can be amended to restrict parking and Mr. Flint mentioned a traffic study would need to be done.
Solicitor Miner attended his first PSATC and stated that it was very informative and was impressed with the conference.
Director Holl spoke about a meeting he attended with Mr. Flint about the moving of the Rossmoyne turnpike bridge over two weekends in September. He spoke about working with the Township Police and State Police for the detours as they close the turnpike. He will be attending an EMS innovation seminar in Harrisburg this weekend with Captain Deaven, which is to explore innovations which can cut costs in EMS. He spoke about the transition from Pinnacle to Lower Allen Township for the paramedics starting July 1st. There will be a press event with Pinnacle, and he will send out an email with the details to the Board if they would like to attend. The next Public Safety Adhoc meeting is July 1st.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners recessed at 8:03 pm to discuss the following:
- PUC complaint re: Norfolk Southern Rail Corporation
- Update: Triple Crown lawsuit
RECONVENE
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioner reconvened at 8:36pm.
Commissioner YOUNG made a motion to authorize the Solicitor to withdraw the Township’s complaint against Norfolk Southern Rail Corporation from the PUC. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
AJOURNMENT
President Black adjourned the meeting at 8:38pm.