MINUTES

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	JUNE 28, 2021
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Dean W. Villone, President	Thomas G. Vernau, Jr., Township Manager
H. Edward Black, Vice President	Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager
Richard F. Schin	Richard A. Grove, Finance Director
Carolyn Holtzman	David Holl, Public Safety Director
Thomas H. Kutz	Brad McCullough, Public Works DirectorSteven Miner, Township SolicitorLeon Crone, Police Captain
	Tony Deaven, EMS Captain
	Michelle Kilgore, Recording Secretary

 

President Villone called the June 28, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 6:00 pm. He announced that Proof of Publication for this meeting was available for review. This was followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the June 14, 2021 Regular Meeting. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2021-R-24
Commissioner SCHIN moved to adopt Resolution 2021-R-24 recognizing Kathleen A. Ritter for 25 Years of Service to Lower Allen Township. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded. Motion carried 5-0.

Employee Recognitions – Years of Service
President Villone recognized each of the following LAT employees, recognizing specific “years of service” milestones. He read and presented the letters to each employee in attendance.

Keegan Toot, Public Safety Officer (in attendance) – 5 Years
David Holl, Public Safety Director (in attendance) – 5 Years
Mark D’Agostino, Public Works Supervisor – 20 Years
D.J. Sentman, Police Lieutenant – 20 Years
Kathleen Ritter, Fiscal Assistant – 25 Years (President Villone then read Resolution 2021-R-24)

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Any item on the agenda.
President Villone advised the audience that if there were any item on that evening’s agenda that they wish to comment on, to please come to the podium. There were none.

CONSENT AGENDA
Items from the Consent Agenda:

a. Department Reports for the month of May for Community Development, Fleet Maintenance, Faculty Maintenance, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety.
b. Tax Collectors May Monthly Report.
c. Check Register of June 18, 2021 in the amount of $660,820.20.
d. Township Engineer Bradley E. McCullough Probationary Status.

President Villone advised any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance who would like to have an item on the Consent Agenda removed for further discussion should state their request at that time. Commissioner Schin expressed his concern regarding item 7.d. He felt that a topic such as this should warrant its own line item on the agenda, rather than falling within the consent agenda. He added that he felt employee achievements are worthy of discussion. President Villone indicated he understood and would take Commissioner Schin’s comment under advisement for future meetings, and then asked him if he would be comfortable voting on the Consent Agenda with 7.d. included. Commissioner Schin agreed.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve all items on the Consent Agenda in its entirety. Commissioner SCHIN seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT VILLONE
Ordinance 2021-03
President Villone requested a motion to enact the Ordinance 2021-03 amending the Code of the Lower Allen, Chapter 155 Peddling and Soliciting, by amending sections 155-3, Application information, 155-4, Permit issuance, fees, and exhibition, and 155-6, Prohibited Practices.

Mr. Miner expressed his gratitude for the work the BOC put into updating the ordinance. He added that the interested party involved is satisfied with the new language as well. Commissioner Schin asked for clarification on the verbiage for 3.A. on the amended ordinance. Mr. Vernau explained that the wording conveys that peddling is prohibited any day of the week except between the hours of 9AM and sunset.

Commissioner SCHIN moved to enact Ordinance 2021-03. A roll call was taken:

President Villone – aye
Vice-President Black – aye
Commissioner Schin – aye
Commissioner Holtzman – aye
Commissioner Kutz – aye

Ordinance 2021-03 was adopted 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP:
President Villone noted that if anyone wished to speak at that time, there would be 15 minutes allotted per person to speak at the podium.

Noah Ryan (resident at 218 Parkway Drive, Mt. Holly Springs, PA) and Morgan Plant (resident at 322 Southwest Street, Carlisle, PA) representing Citizens Saving Claremont stood before the Board in hopes to gain LAT’s support in pausing the sale of Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by Cumberland County to a for-profit company (Allaire) until a public hearing could be held to discuss the potential economic and social effects of such a sale. They expressed concerns that the sale would result in fewer employees, lower payroll, and reduced quality of care for its residents. Mr. Ryan offered results from a recent poll of Cumberland County residents indicating that overall, residents oppose the sale to a for-profit company and would rather pay more in taxes to keep it in the hands of the county.

Ms. Plant stated that Citizens Saving Claremont has been contacting municipalities within Cumberland County to gain their support. Commissioner Holtzman asked how many residents are currently living at Claremont. Ms. Plant stated 136 of 287 beds, and that residency significantly decreased during the pandemic. President Villone asked which of the other municipalities within Cumberland County have or have not offered their support. Ms. Plant responded that the others have been contacted via email thus far, and that her appearance at LAT that evening was encouraged after a recent meeting with Commissioner Kutz. Vice-President Black asked if the County would continue making financial contributions for care after the facility is under the new ownership. Ms. Plant stated no, not that she is aware. She added that the County would also no longer have authority to enforce operational requirements of the center. Vice-President Black asked that Ms. Plant forward responses from other municipalities to LAT (Tom Vernau). Commissioner Schin asked Ms. Plant what she knows about Allaire. Ms. Plant advised she has done extensive online research around Allaire’s ratings which are completed by the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid services. She stated that in some of Allaire’s four facilities, their safety ratings were lower than that of Claremont’s current rating.

President Villone thanked Mr. Ryan and Ms. Plant for speaking and indicated the information they provided would be further reviewed.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Automated Red Light Enforcement Act (ARLE) Grant Application to PennDOT for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at Gettysburg Road in front of Allen Middle School Crossing
Ms. Trone asked the board for permission to apply for a grant being offered by PennDOT. She stated that the grant requirements are a good fit for LAT’s Ped/Bike Plan, which requires placing RRFBs at the Gettysburg Road crossing in front of Allen Middle School. Ms. Trone added that if awarded, ARLE will cover 80% of the project which is projected to cost $50,000 (LAT would then have to pay $10,000).

Commissioner Kutz asked if the West Shore School District would potentially step in to provide funding, should LAT not receive the grant. Ms. Trone responded that it is plausible, and she added that the West Shore Foundation has made contributions in the past for other projects. Commissioner Kutz recommended keeping the Foundation in mind if the grant is not awarded.

President Villone asked Mr. Grove if the Liquid Fuels Fund (the source of the $10,000 being paid out by LAT) is something that gets wiped out every year with the resurfacing projects. Mr. Grove stated that the resurfacing is done every other year, therefore there is time to accumulate funds. President Villone suggested keeping a line item in the budget for the $10,000 just in case Mr. McCullough needs the funds for resurfacing projects. Mr. Grove suggested that coming up with the $10,000 would not be difficult.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to allow staff to move forward with the ARLE Grant application. Vice-President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

MANAGER
Saturday Yard Waste Collection
Mr. Vernau spoke about the issues with yard waste pick-up in LAT. Penn Waste had lost employees during the pandemic and are now having trouble getting people to come back. He said that he met with the municipal manager at Penn Waste the week prior, and the manager encouraged Saturday pick-up as a viable alternative, since the more seasoned and reliable drivers are looking for weekend overtime. Mr. Vernau stressed that this change would mean the entire Township’s yard waste would be picked up on Saturday, and that weekly trash and recycling schedules would not change. Mr. Vernau felt this would reduce the issues with inconsistent pick-ups and would also decrease the need to send out LAT alerts and Facebook notifications. He said that if Penn Waste formally agrees to the change, an amendment to the Penn Waste service contract would be necessary. He added that the BOC does not need to take action at this time. There was no opposition from the Board and Mr. Vernau was encouraged to continue his pursuit for Saturday pick-up, understanding that if economic conditions improve, moving back to the current practice could be considered. Mr. Vernau stated he will work toward providing an update and possible action at the next BOC meeting.

Vice-President Black asked Mr. Grove if staff has inquired on providing smaller trash cans than the standard 96-gallon capacity cans. Mr. Vernau interjected stating that smaller cans can be requested by a resident, and Penn Waste will replace them. Vice-President Black asked that Penn Waste be reminded of this.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Kutz stated he attended a roundtable hosted by State Representative Sheryl Delozier to discuss 5G and what that means to LAT, including pending legislation on the topic.

Commissioner Schin stated he attended a virtual tour of the new Rossmoyne Elementary School. He asked Captain Crone (who recently attended a live tour) how the classrooms are laid out, as the virtual tour did not give an impression there are doors to each classroom. Captain Crone responded that the individual classrooms have doors, but that there are some unique areas that are combined classrooms in a more open-air setting.

Vice-President Black stated the Trader Joe’s announcement was made official the prior Thursday, and he thanked Ms. Trone for the part she took in making it happen.

President Villone stated he also attended the 5G roundtable hosted by Representative Delozier. He added that he will be hosting the dining room at the Lisburn festival, and he is seeking vendors to attend the fair.

ADJOURNMENT
President Villone announced adjournment at 7:10 PM of the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners. He stated the BOC would move into Executive Session for a discussion of a performance award for a staff member, and no further votes were expected for the evening.