Board of Commissioners
12-13-2021 Meeting Minutes
MINUTES
| BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP |
| REGULAR MEETING | DECEMBER 13, 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 | Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor |
| Thomas H. Kutz | David Holl, Public Safety Director |
| Rebecca Davis, Public Works DirectorLeon G. Crone, Police Captain | |
| John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator | |
| Anthony Deaven, EMS Captain | |
| Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary | |
President Villone called the December 13, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 6:20 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. President Villone noted that Commissioner Holtzman was absent, with excuse.
MEETING MINUTES:
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the November 22nd, 2021 Regular Meeting. Commissioner KUTZ seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
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 indicate as such. Three audience members expressed a desire to comment on agenda items. President Villone noted they would have the opportunity to speak at the appropriate time on those items.
CONSENT AGENDA:
President Villone stated that any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance who would like to have an item on the Consent Agenda removed for further discussion, he could do so at that time. There were none.
Items on the Consent Agenda:
a. Check Register of December 3, 2021, in the amount of $160,263.73.
b. 2022 Employee Pay Rates.
c. Waive Employee health insurance premium co-pays through June 2022.
Vice President BLACK moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Commissioner SCHIN seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
PRESIDENT VILLONE:
Ordinance 2021-05
President Villone requested a motion to approve the solicitor preparing an adjudication in Ordinance 2021-05, Amendments to Section 220-206 and 220-207, Wireless Communication Facilities, of the Codified Ordinances of Lower Allen Township. Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Ordinance 2021-06
President Villone requested a motion to enact ORDINANCE 2021-06, 2022 General Fund and Other Funds Budgets. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. The Secretary called the roll:
Vice-President Black Aye
President Villone Aye
Commissioner Schin Aye
Commissioner Kutz Aye
The motion carried 4-0:
Ordinance 2021-07
President Villone requested a motion to enact ORDINANCE 2021-07, Manager’s 2022 Salary Ordinance. Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. The Secretary called the roll:
Vice-President Black Aye
President Villone Aye
Commissioner Schin Aye
Commissioner Kutz Aye
The motion carried 4-0:
Bryce Thompson, Move to Full Time Status
President Villone requested a motion to move Bryce Thompson, a Stormwater Inspector in the Public Works Department, from probationary status to regular Full-Time status effective December 14, 2021. Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
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.
The first speaker was Township resident Michelle Tarquino who expressed concern about safety given the exclusion of sidewalks in the area surrounding Rossmoyne Elementary School. President Villone noted his understanding that a waiver had been granted by the Planning Commission. PennDOT had designated the area as hazardous for pedestrians. West Shore School District provided busing for students and does not encourage students walking to the school. The speaker encouraged that in the future, more consideration be given during the land development phase of potential safety impacts resulting from the granting of waivers and modifications. Public Safety Director Holl noted that PennDOT was considering a speed limit reduction in that area as well as the possibility of adding flashers around the existing crosswalk. Commissioner Kutz asked staff to keep the Board apprised on their communications with PennDOT and the West Shore School District, and to look at ways to improve the safety situation, specifically addressing the crosswalk from the Fair Oaks neighborhood to the school.
The second speaker was township resident Tom Williams, who resides at 1253 Rossmoyne Road. Mr. Williams raised concerns about the impacts the proposed Lark Meadows development may have on his property’s private sewer and access to what he described as a second lot on his property. He also noted that his attempts to communicate with the developer about his concerns had been unsuccessful. Mr. Williams also advocated for consideration of being provided access to public sewer and water for the affected residents along Rossmoyne Road. Mr. John Eby, Township Building and Zoning Coordinator, stated that the property is considered to be a lot addition and could not be built upon or sold as a second lot. It also has no frontage to Rossmoyne Road.
President Villone requested Township staff to provide an update to the Board at a future meeting when additional information would be available. Township Manager, Mr. Thomas Vernau noted his anticipation that the issues would be addressed when a building plan was presented.
The property developer, Dan McGuire from Escambia Properties, who resides in Coraopolis, PA spoke to the issue. He discussed the sewer system design for the proposed Lark Meadows development, and noted it is a type that would be problematic for tie-in by the residents living adjacent to the proposed development.
Community & Economic Development Director Erin Trone told President Villone that the plan would be coming before the Board at their next meeting and had been recommended for preliminary approval by the Planning Commission, noting a list of comments on the plan. She affirmed Mr. Eby’s earlier statements that the property in question is one lot, cannot be sold separately, does not have appropriate frontage to access Rossmoyne Road and cannot be subdivided. She stated that the proposed development has no bearing on those issues. Regarding the concerns about access to public sewer and water, Ms. Trone said it is not incumbent on the developer to connect them to the development.
The third individual to speak was Ms. Janice Lynx, a Township resident at 23 Sheepford Road, who spoke to offer words of congratulations to Commissioner Schin on his upcoming retirement and praise for his many years of commitment and dedication to the Township and his support and encouragement for the effort to save the Sheepford Bridge.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
SLD 2017-02, Arcona Phase 2.1 and 2.2 Increase in improvement security for SLD 2017-02, Arcona Phase 2.1 and 2.2
Ms. Trone stated the annual increase of security would establish a new amount of $183,490.78 and a new expiration date of December 13, 2022. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the increase in improvement security for SLD-02 and Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
SLD-2021-09 3809 Hartzdale Drive BJ’s Club 025 Harrisburg Gas Station Final Minor Subdivision Plan.
A representative from BL Companies summarized the request and noted the subdivision plan included no improvements or amenities. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve SLD-2021-09 for the property at 3809 Hartzdale Drive BJ’s Club 025 Harrisburg Gas Station Final Minor Subdivision Plan. Vice-President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
MANAGER
Resolution 2021-R-40, 2022 Fee Schedule
Mr. Vernau noted a draft was provided to Commissioners in their packet for review. Commissioner Schin sought clarification on items which appeared to be typos. Commissioner SCHIN moved to adopt Resolution 2021-R-40. There was no second. Mr. Vernau stated the Fee resolution would be revised and resubmitted for approval at the next meeting.
Senate Bill 775, Workers Compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI)
Mr. Vernau summarized the proposed legislation and asked for feedback from the Board. He noted that the municipal associations are opposing the legislation and referenced a draft letter that was included in the Board’s packet which communicates opposition to Senate Bill 775. Vice-President BLACK moved to have the Township Manager send the letter to Senator Mike Regan. The motion was seconded by Commissioner SCHIN. The motion carried 4-0.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Director Holl provided an update on the CALEA assessment, noting he was pleased with the results. He also reported the receipt of a $1,000 community grant from Walmart. He discussed the execution of an agreement with a multi-media company to support the fire companies for volunteer recruitment. He also reported on a meeting recently held with Dr. Stoltz, Superintendent of the West Shore School District, to discuss strategies and potential solutions to address the public safety concerns within the School District.
Captain Deaven reported the receipt of a $1,999 grant from the American Trauma Foundation for a fall prevention program to be focused primarily on elderly residents, which will begin in January 2022.
Captain Crone reported the CALEA assessment was very successful. He also spoke about the associated grant for an automated license plate reader system and server.
Commissioner Kutz expressed his satisfaction in voting to support the operating budget for 2022 without a tax increase for residents. He said the budget represents sound fiscal policies that prioritize exceptional service levels, with particular focus on funding public safety, safe roads, and safe schools. He also noted the Township budget had allowed for a step toward investment in renewable energy and preserving green spaces. He thanked the staff for their hard work on the budget to ensure a successful year for the Township.
Commissioner Schin thanked Mrs. Lynx for her earlier kind words for him.
President Villone stated he was grateful for the staff and their hard work on the budget and for their embracing policies that provide outstanding services at a cost that lives within the means of the budget. He also commended Director Holl for his recent appointment as the President to the Board of Directors for the Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response (PPVAR) which Director Holl explained is an organization that looks at ways to bring public safety into the alarm industry and to find ways to increase the use of verified alarms and reduce false alarms.
President Villone thanked everyone for their participation and public input.
ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:11 PM.