MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
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
Thomas H. Kutz Joshua Nagy Jennifer Caron (vía telephone)	David Holl, Public Safety Director Rebecca Davis, Public Works Director Richard A. Grove, Finance Director Leon G. Crone, Police Captain John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator Robert W. Diehl, Township Assistant Solicitor Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the September 12, 2022 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. President Villone noted that Commissioner Caron was participating by telephone and that Commissioner Nagy would be leaving the meeting for a brief period.

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. There were none.

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, could do so at that time.

Commissioner CARON asked to remove item b for consideration.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

a.  Check Register of August 26, 2022 in the amount of $126,004.31.

b.  Manual Check Register of August 26 in the amount of $9,375.00.

c.  Check Register of September 8, 2022 in the amount of $395,184.16.

d.  RESOLUTION 2022-R-29, adopting minimum municipal obligations payable to the Lower Allen Township Police Pension Plan and the Lower Allen Township Non-Uniformed Pension Plan in fiscal year 2023, and appropriating specific sums known as the Pension Budget for fiscal year 2023.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve item 4b. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0 Commissioner CARON abstaining, who explained her reason for abstention was due to having a payment to her law firm on the check register.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Recess to Executive Session

Commissioners recessed to Executive Session at 6:08 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue and item 10 – Recreation and Park Board Appointment.

Reconvene

Commissioners reconvened at 6:48 p.m.

PRESIDENT VILLONE:

President Villone requested a motion to terminate Brian Harshbarger from employment, effective 8/31/22. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Nagy left the meeting at 6:49 pm.

ORDINANCE 2022-04

President Villone requested a motion to enact ORDINANCE 2022-04, amending the Codified Ordinances of Lower Allen Township, 1997 at Chapter 197-64 Tax Discounts, Penalties by adding a new Subsection C dealing with penalty waivers pursuant to Act 57 of 2022.

Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. The recording secretary called the roll:

Commissioner Caron    Aye

Vice President Black    Aye

President Villone          Aye

Commissioner Kutz      Aye

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.

Mr. Joe Swartz offered comments of appreciation for the response by the police department to the recent incident at Highland Park playground. He noted it was comforting to observe the quick response, the suspect taken into custody and the address to the public with reassurances of a safe community.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Maintenance Specialist

Ms. Davis presented the item for discussion and possible action to advertise for the hiring of a Maintenance Specialist.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve advertisement for the hiring of a Maintenance Specialist. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Developer’s Agreement with Glenpoint, LLC

Ms. Davis presented the item for discussion and possible action to enter into Developer’s Agreement with Glenpoint, LLC and acceptance of financial security in the amount of $360,762.00 for the development of Lark Meadows. She explained that items b and c go together due to the sale of the property.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve a Developer’s Agreement with Glenpoint, LLC and acceptance of financial security in the amount of $360,762.00 for the development of Lark Meadows. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner CARON abstaining due to a potential conflict of interest.

Release of Financial Security

Ms. Davis presented the item for discussion and possible action to release financial security in the amount of $360,762.00 to Escambia Properties, LLC due to sale of property in Lark Meadows.

Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 3-0, with Commissioner CARON abstaining due to a potential conflict of interest.

Proposal from E.K. Services for the milling and paving of Beaver Road

Ms. Davis presented the item for discussion and possible action to approve a proposal from E.K. Services for the milling and paving of Beaver Road.in the amount of $20,933.20. She explained the Township received three proposals. The quote from E.K. Services was the lowest of the three.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the proposal. Vice President BLACK seconded. There was discussion regarding the responsibility of repairs to the road when damage is done in the course of work performed by PA American Water. Ms. Davis noted that, in this area, PA American Water was doing the trench restoration, but the milling and paving of the road would be handled by the Township, and that the road was on schedule for paving. At the conclusion of the discussion, the motion carried 4-0.

Developer’s Agreement with Locustshire LLC and accept financial security

Ms. Davis presented the item for discussion and possible action to enter into Developer’s Agreement with Locustshire LLC and accept financial security in the amount of $316,533.68 for the development of Birch Grove effective September 22, 2022.  Ms. Davis noted that items e and f go together and that the date would be either the actual date of the commercial sale or 9/22/22.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to enter into Developer’s Agreement with Locustshire LLC and accept financial security in the amount of $316,533.68 for the development of Birch Grove effective September 22, 2022.  Vice President BLACK seconded. President Villone asked for staff confirmation on consideration of inflationary impacts. Ms. Davis noted the issue was reviewed and provided assurances for the financial securities. Upon the conclusion of discussion, the motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Nagy returned to the meeting at 7:05

Release of financial security to WR Grace Properties

Ms. Davis presented the item for discussion and possible action to release of financial security in the amount of $316,533.68 to WR Grace Properties due to the sale of property in Birch Grove effective September 22, 2022. 

Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

Director Holl announced participation in the upcoming Cumberland County Chiefs of Police Testing Consortium in Carlisle and noted the intent to create a list of candidates for future hiring needs.

Mr. Vernau noted appreciation to the staff for their efforts during his absence.

Commissioner Kutz asked for an update on the progress towards having School Resource Officers for West Shore School District. Director Holl explained that a Memorandum of Understanding was under review and would likely be considered by the school board at an upcoming meeting. He added that because it is a replacement position, attendance at the academy will be required, which results in having SROs in place for Fall of 2023. Commissioner Kutz noted the availability of sufficient state funding afforded to the school district to pay 100% of this School Resource Officer.

Commissioner Kutz also noted the Lisburn Fire Department chicken bar-b-que and the upcoming gun raffle event.

Vice President Black expressed a desire for the Township staff to work on strengthening ordinances and requirements when utilities are performing work on the roads.

President Villone expressed his gratitude to the staff for their work during the absence of the manager, as well as efforts in providing meeting packets a day early. He also noted a recent compliment from a resident regarding traffic issues in Arcona and the response by Public Safety to address them. He also noted that the Chick-Fil-A project would soon be underway.

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 PM.