MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	JULY 26, 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	Richard A. Grove, Finance Director
Richard F. Schin	David Holl, Public Safety Director
Carolyn Holtzman	Brad McCullough, Public Works Director
Thomas H. Kutz	Steven Miner, Township Solicitor
	Leon Crone, Police Captain
	Tony Deaven, EMS Captain
	Michelle Kilgore, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the July 26, 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 12, 2021 Regular Meeting.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

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

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.

Items from the Consent Agenda:

a.  Department Reports for the month of June for Community Development, Fleet Maintenance, Facility Maintenance, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety.

b.  Tax Collectors June Monthly Report.

c.  Check Register of July 16, 2021in the amount of $366,684.36.

d.  Payment of Invoice No. 4 to Kinsley Construction, Inc., in the amount of $201,309.50 for the Fun Fort Reconstruction Project.

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

 

PRESIDENT VILLONE

Motion to approve Resolution 2021-R-25, hiring Nicholas A. Hughes as a Police Officer for the Police Department, effective August 30, 2021

Commissioner Holtzman suggested that new hires in general should be introduced to the BOC at the Regular Meetings.  Director Holl stated that once candidates are officially hired, they are generally brought into the meetings, however the pandemic may have restricted some of the introductions.  He added that Human Resources will typically send out pictures of the new hires, and that he will ensure that the Board is included on those emails.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to adopt the resolution, and Vice President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion to approve Resolution 2021-R-26, hiring Ethan D. Kell as a Police Officer for the Police Department, effective July 27, 2021

Commissioner KUTZ moved to adopt the resolution, and Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

Motion to accept the Civil Service Commission’s recommendation of the Police Officer Eligibility List

Director Holl stated that LAT is required under the Civil Service rules to establish a list of three candidates for hire.  The current list was exhausted with the two previous hires, therefore the Civil Service Commission has provided a new list for LAT.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the Civil Service list, and Vice President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 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.

Beth Weller of 301 South Stoner Avenue came to the podium.  Ms. Weller requested that the Township enact requirements for construction companies to mail, post or otherwise notify residents bordering on any construction areas what the blasting schedule is for that project, particularly when the blasting schedule has deviated from the original schedule (due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather).  She suggested that the construction companies notify the Township so that residents have a place to call to request an updated schedule.  Other suggestions she made were to place signs along the secondary roads and highways the day of blasting, and to notify the schools accordingly.  She added that blasting may cause trauma for both dogs and residents and having an awareness of the schedule would allow residents to appropriately prepare.  Ms. Weller quoted DEP regulation PA Title 25 which states adjoining areas must be notified.  She said she called DEP’s Mike Duke (in charge of blasting for LAT) to discuss the regulation, and that he advised her that the DEP regulation PA Title 25 has been in a suspended status and that notification of the blasting schedule defaults to the townships and municipalities. 

President Villone asked if there is a current procedure in place, or if contractors are required to notify LAT prior to blasting.  Mr. McCullough stated there is no formal procedure in place for contractors to notify the Township while the blasting is occurring, but that the contractor conducting the blasting does have to provide an advanced schedule to the Township. He added that the contractor must publish a blasting schedule in a newspaper of general circulation at least ten days prior to the beginning of the blasting program, but that he is aware that the schedules tend to vary based on weather, which poses a challenge to staying on a set schedule.  Ms. Weller responded that she has observed the contractors drilling holes in the ground approximately a week prior to calling on the explosive experts to start blasting, hence the contractors should have some advanced idea of when the blasting will take place.  She added that when she called the construction company to obtain a blasting schedule, they left a notice on her door (one she noted Shiremanstown residents received in December) that states blasting could occur anytime between 7:30am and 5:30pm on any day Monday through Saturday, and between the months of December and June.

Commissioner Schin asked Ms. Weller what construction project she has been affected by.  She responded 145 South Locust Street.  Mr. Vernau stated that based on the research completed by his staff, he could not find any documentation that deferred the responsibilities from the PA DEP to the municipalities.  He added that although he would be more than willing for LAT to take responsibility for contacting residents, he is not certain that LAT has the legal right to preempt the DEP’s current guidelines.  He stated that he plans to continue his investigation to make a solid determination on whether LAT has a legal right to create an ordinance.

Mr. Miner offered to do additional research.  He agreed with Mr. Vernau in that the DEP issues the permits and should therefore enforce the regulations set forth in Title 25, and asked Ms. Weller to provide Mr. Vernau the details on who from the DEP she has been in contact with.

President Villone asked Mr. Vernau to discuss his findings with the Board during the next BOC meeting and to remain in contact with Ms. Weller should he come across any new or pertinent information.  Mr. Vernau agreed.

 

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

Resolution 2021-R-27, Policy and Procedure for Consultant Selection

Mr. McCullough summarized the memo provided to the BOC, explaining that in order to be reimbursed for services provided by a selected traffic engineering consultant for future federally-funded projects, PennDOT requires LAT to advertise and select a consultant on a quality-based (versus cost-based) process, and that a policy must be put in place and reassessed every five years.

Commissioner SCHIN moved to adopt the resolution.  Vice President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

Authorize Staff to Advertise for a Traffic Engineering Consultant

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the advertisement of the consultant.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY

Conditional Job Offer to Tyler Lewis

Director Holl asked for a motion to make a conditional job offer to Tyler Lewis contingent on his successful completion of police academy entrance testing, polygraph, and additional required prerequisite testing.  Hiring resolution to be presented at the August 9^th public meeting.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the conditional job offer.  Vice President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

MANAGER

Saturday Yard Waste Collection

Mr. Vernau provided an update on the status of Saturday yard waste collections.  He stated that in his most recent conversation with the Penn Waste representative, he learned that Penn Waste does not have the resources to collect every Saturday, but that they would be prepared to collect on every other Saturday.  Commissioner Holtzman inquired as to whether the cost to the Township would be impacted.  Mr. Vernau replied that the yard waste portion of the invoice is minimal, therefore the Township would not realize any savings.  President Villone asked if the current weekly collections have improved.  Mr. Vernau stated that the collection schedules have become much more aligned with the intended schedule, and that the majority of current complaints now have to do with Penn Waste missing specific houses or streets on a route, which he suspects is caused by new drivers not yet familiar with their trash routes.  He added that the current contract with Penn Waste allows for 20 complaints per month, and if exceeded, a 6% penalty is assessed to Penn Waste.  President Villone expressed concern with the bi-weekly proposal, stating that if there is a miss in pick-up by Penn Waste on a Saturday, then the resident is faced with holding on to the yard waste for two additional weeks.  Commissioner Holtzman asked Mr. Vernau his opinion on the matter.  Mr. Vernau said that he feels strongly about a weekly pick-up.  Vice President Black stated he has seen the current pick-up schedule improve over the past few weeks, and he feels the Township keep with the current process.  President Villone agreed that considering the recent improvements, continuing with the current schedule may be best, and that Mr. Vernau should continue to monitor the situation in case it would need revisited.

 

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Captain Deaven stated that he has received feedback forms from the trauma center relating to LAT’s trauma care, and that all 14 reports involving 10 providers came back with excellent ratings.

Ms. Trone offered updates on the sales agreement for the hotel at Lower Allen Commons.  She said that they have requested to move up the closing date from September to early August.

Director Holl stated the next testing process for new recruits will be Spring of 2022.

Mr. Grove said that he was selected by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board to participate in a round table discussion on the pros and cons of the current state of pension accounting for government.

Mr. Vernau polled the Board to determine which Commissioners were in possession of an LAT-issued portable radio.  He explained he is collecting the serial numbers so that he can take inventory.  Commissioners Black and Holtzman indicated that they had radios and would get that information to Mr. Vernau.

Commissioner Kutz stated he will be sharing exciting information relating to Parks and Recreation in the future and will be proposing new items for the upcoming budget.  He expressed his advocacy for P&R programs that improve quality of life, offer opportunities for exercise, and allow youth to socialize through organized sports.

Commissioner Schin asked Ms. Trone for more information on a recent proposal to update LAT’s zoning ordinances.  Ms. Trone explained that she had previously asked for letters of support from LAT’s various boards/authorities, to be used for her application to the County for assistance in funding the effort.

Commissioner Schin asked Mr. McCullough if he knew of any projects happening on Lisburn Road just past Arcona.  He noticed several buildings were removed, and a neighbor had inquired with him on the removal.  Mr. McCullough replied that he has not received any plans, and that he is not aware of any development in the works.  He added that demolition permits would be required for such a project.  President Villone said that he had spoken with Mr. Eby regarding the work a few months prior, and that Mr. Eby stated that a permit would be required for the removal of the dwelling. President Villone expects the Township will see development plans sometime soon.

Vice President Black, as a Public Safety liaison, encouraged prompt action on the part of LAT when an application is submitted for police employment.  He commended Director Holl for expediting the hiring of Tyler Lewis.  He expressed concern that slowing the process may cause a potential candidate to look elsewhere.

Vice President Black also expressed his advocacy for the updated zoning ordinances which may allow for mixed use developments, which he feels would be attractive to residents.

President Villone placed his own report on hold as he invited Janice Lynx, Executive Director of the West Shore Historical Society up to the podium to give an update on the Sheepford Road Bridge.  Ms. Lynx, of 2036 Sheepford Road, said that both Cumberland and York Counties have recently agreed to seek State and Federal funding to restore the bridge for use by pedestrians.  She thanked LAT commissioners and staff for their support in the efforts to save the bridge.

President Villone thanked Mr. Vernau for his tireless efforts getting the pickleball courts to Wass Park, and that he is seeing much activity on the courts.  He encouraged the Board to look for more opportunities to accommodate the activities that are currently trending.  Commissioner Kutz stated that his previous comments regarding his Parks and Recreation proposal are precisely geared towards this topic, and so he was compelled to shed light on his ideas.  He asked the Board to consider installing a whiffle ball field behind Pizza Grille at Church Field in Peters Park.  Commissioner Kutz stated there are a few organizations that he knows would be excited for this project.  He requested that LAT staff explore the possibilities.

President Villone mentioned he and his wife took part in the Yellow Breeches Creek clean-up, helping to collect the trash from the volunteers in boats.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 7:15PM.