MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	October 24, 2022
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Dean W. Villone, President	Thomas G. Vernau, Township Manager
H. Edward Black, Vice President	Richard Grove, Township Finance Director
Joshua Nagy	Rebecca Davis, Public Works Director
Jennifer Caron	Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor
	John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the October 24, 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.

MEETING MINUTES:
President Villone requested a motion to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2022 Regular Meeting.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the minutes, as corrected. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

PRESENTATION: John Minito, West Shore Recreation Commission
Mr. Minito shared that the West Shore Recreation Commission had been in existence for 55 years and provides recreation services to the residents of Lower Allen Township, Fairview Township, Goldsboro Borough, Lemoyne Borough, Lewisberry Borough, and New Cumberland Borough. Mr. Minito reported that Newberry Township is possibly rejoining. He reported that while 2021 had a slow start following the pandemic, participation had been solid for 2022. He thanked the Township for providing access to our facilities to house recreation programs. He also reported that the per capita fee remains at $3, but that they are now using 2020 census population figures.  He noted that it could decrease in 2024 if Newberry Township joins. He thanked the Township for their ongoing support and Vice President Black for his participation in the WSREC meetings. President Villone noted the partnership was an example of good governance.

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 request so now.

President Villone removed item 6b – Check Register due to the large amount and asked Director Grove to address the item. Director Grove explained that the General Fund encompasses several accounts, one of which maximizes return on cash. There is a large inventory of investments, and this item represents a transfer from one cash account to another. Short term rates have gone up and this transfer takes advantage of the current opportunity for short term investment to improve return.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

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

b.  Check Register of October 21, 2022, in the amount of $3,257,443.55.

c.  Tax Collectors Monthly September 2022 Report.

d.  Move Andrew Fullerton, Maintenance Specialist from probationary status to regular full-time status effective October 17, 2022.

Commissioner NAGY offered a motion to approve item 6b. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the remaining items on the consent agenda. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

PRESIDENT VILLONE:
President Villone noted his report contained a series of resolutions regarding personnel and hiring.

President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-R-31, appointment of Helen R. Grundon as Administrative Assistant/Event Coordinator for the Public Works Department, effective October 25, 2022.

Commissioner NAGY made the motion. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-R-32, appointment of Nathaniel C. Sterling as Administrative Secretary for the Administration Department, effective October 25, 2022.

Vice President BLACK made the motion. Commissioner NAGY seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-R-33, hiring Barbara P. Arnold as Environmental Coordinator for the Public Works Department, effective November 2nd, 2022. Director Davis explained this position would be responsible for roles of recycling coordinator and MS4 coordinator.

Commissioner NAGY made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-R-34, appointment of Anthony B. Derr as an Emergency Medical Technician II for the Emergency Medical Services Department, effective October 25, 2022.

Vice President BLACK made the motion. Commissioner NAGY seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-R-35, electing a Township Secretary, appointing an Assistant Secretary, and establishing compensation.

Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner NAGY. Vice President Black asked about the effective date, which was to be November 15^th, 2022.  Commissioner NAGY withdrew his second, and Vice President BLACK withdrew his motion. Vice-President BLACK then moved to adopt the Resolution with the effective date of November 15, 2022.  Commissioner NAGY seconded the amended motion. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-R-36, 2022 Records Disposition for Public Safety.

Vice President BLACK made the motion. Commissioner CARON seconded and asked for confirmation from Solicitor Miner on the appropriateness of the action. Mr. Miner affirmed it was in accordance with guidance from the PA Historical and Museum Commission. Director Holl said they are paper records no longer necessary and recommended for destruction. 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 10 minutes allotted per person to speak at the podium. There were none.

FINANCE DIRECTOR:
Proposed 2023 Budget for Other Funds: Street Lights, Fire, Sanitation, Highway Aid, Debt Service and Capital Projects.
Starting with Highway Aid, Director Grove explained the fund has a set pattern where state aid comes in and is based on a formula set by the state.  The fund balance builds up over two years, and then resurfacing is performed the following year and the fund is depleted.

Highway Aid Fund
Director Davis presented the budget for Highway Aid and noted she would be highlighting increases in expenditures.

433.651 Contracted Traffic Signals: $205,000 to replace poles, cabinets, marking and wiring at Carlisle Road and Center Drive.

438.313 Engineering and Professional Services: $20,000 to engage with the engineer to rate the Township roads using a GIS database system, which provides a good foundation for planning and maintenance.

438.650 Contractor Services: $1,436,830 for street paving. The work will be bid out. Paving was not conducted as scheduled in 2022 due to the work schedule of PA American Water so it is moved to 2023.

Commissioner Caron asked about the Liquid Fuels tax. Director Grove said those funds come from the state and have been decreasing over the past several years, due to the increase in electric vehicles. There was some discussion about how those funds will be replaced in the future and the limitation of the Township to address all paving projects.

Fire Services Fund
Director Holl presented the budget for Fire Services and noted he would address significant budget changes.

The overall budget request for Lower Allen falls under the 2.5% growth direction as required by the Board of Commissioners. 22-line items experienced no increase, and six items show decreases. The largest increase is the yearly contribution for the VFSAP Pension.

411.196 Lower Allen VFSAP Pension: Yearly contribution increase of 97.6 % from $8,780 to $13,790.
411.220 General Expenditure: Reduced by 36.5% primarily due to a reduction in the college live-in program. It has been an overfunded area for several years.
411.260 Minor Equipment: Reduced 77.6% with the Station 2 living area LED lighting replacement project completed.
411.720 Furniture: reduced to 0% following purchase last year of gear lockers and locking boxes.
411.730 Machine, equipment, and vehicles: $452,060 radio replacement expense for all vehicles mobile radios, portable radios, and base stations. Additionally, $36,500 for CAD-to-CAD interface software.

Moving on to the Lisburn Fire Department, Director Holl said the overall proposed budget falls under the 2.5% growth direction. He then addressed significant changes.

416.260 Minor Equipment: increased 84.4% for some needed projects including the organizing and mounting of equipment for engine twenty-four, an electric chain saw, mini pumper and misting attachment for the PPV fan.
416.311 Audit/Actuarial: reduced to $0 due to using a triannual audit (next one in 2025).
416.730 Machine, equipment, and vehicles: $204,800 radio replacement for all vehicles mobile radios and portable radios.

Director Holl reminded commissioners about the pending decision on ARPA funding to offset the radio funding. The radio purchase might be deferred to 2024 depending on the status of the infrastructure for the radio system.

Streetlight Fund
Director Grove presented the budget and noted no need to change the assessment for next year. Addressing the history of the fund balance, he noted that energy costs are hard to predict. The assessment was reduced temporarily in 2012 and increased in 2019. Going forward the solar panels will be installed which will positively affect the electricity cost and will be factored in. It is optimistic looking forward.

Fire Capital Fund
Director Grove discussed the expected and planned repayment for the quint. He noted the Fire Capital funded equipment schedule runs through 2030. The tax adjustment effective in 2018 is sufficient for that timeframe but will need some type of bond issue in 2026.

Sanitation Fund
Director Grove said the fund is completely dependent on the charges paid to the waste hauler which is set by competitive bid which ends at the end of 2023. There is a cost increase going to them so the quarterly fee will increase from $76.10 to $79.35. Under the expenditure side, the fund pays for half of the Environmental Coordinator position.

Commissioner Caron asked for details about how the solar panels would impact the electricity savings for the streetlights. Director Grove explained that the solar panels would generate electricity that will go into the electric grid and reduce what the Township pays to the electric provider. A set rate is paid per streetlight. President Villone noted that the solar panels are anticipated to generate significant electricity savings.

MANAGER
Possible revisions to Chapter 147, Noise Control
Mr. Vernau introduced the item for discussion and possible action, reminding Commissioners of the discussion during the prior meeting concerning fireworks. Commissioner Kutz had suggested a review of the entire chapter. Mr. Vernau asked the Board to provide some direction on how to approach that. The current ordinance prohibits fireworks from 11 PM to 7 AM. The new law provides for limitation to be expanded.

President Villone noted the unintended consequences of the fireworks law and requested that staff pull information from the broader noise ordinance and draft some recommendations. Since there is no significant cost associated with making a change to the noise ordinance, something should be done to utilize the extra tools provided within the new law, with a goal of deterring activity as much as possible. Staff was directed to provide recommendations by the first meeting in January 2023.

Request for a waiver of permit fees for Lisburn Community Fire Company
Mr. Vernau introduced for discussion and possible action, a request to waive the permit fee for the Lisburn Community Fire Company to construct a pole building. 

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the waiver of permit fees for the Lisburn Community Fire Company to construct a pole building. Vice President BLACK seconded. Mr. Eby recommended that the motion include the waiver of the application fee as well.  Vice-President BLACK withdrew his second, and Commissioner NAGY withdrew his motion.  Commissioner NAGY then moved to approve the waiver of permit and application fees, and Vice-President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
President Villone announced that the Board would adjourn to executive session following reports to discuss COLA for employees for the 2023 budget, and that no action would be taken.

Mr. John Eby announced that the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association Annual Gathering was scheduled for Thursday, November 3, 2022 at the LACP Barn at 6:30 PM. There are several guest speakers along with a light meal and refreshments.

Commissioner Caron wished everyone a safe and fun trick or treat night, coming up on Thursday night from 6-8 PM.

Commissioner Nagy thanked the staff for their thorough responses to his financial inquiries regarding the budget.

Mr. Josh Keller, Director of the Lisburn Community Fire Company, expressed his thanks to the Commissioners and staff for their help with the festival and for the fee waivers associated with the construction of the new building which will be used to store everything they use for the annual festival.

President Villone thanked the staff for their efforts on preparing the budget and asked when a final projection for 2023 might be finished. Mr. Vernau noted it would be presented at either the November 14^th or 28^th Regular meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION and ADJOURNMENT
President Villone announced the meeting was adjourned to executive session at 7:10 PM.