MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	December 27, 2022
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Dean W. Villone, President	Thomas Vernau, Township Manager
H. Edward Black, Vice President	David Holl, Public Safety Director
Jennifer Caron	Richard A. Grove, Finance Director
Joshua Nagy	John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
	Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor
	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the December 27, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 6:00 PM. He announced that Proof of Publication for the 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 December 12, 2022 Regular Meeting.  Vice-President BLACK made the motion. Commissioner NAGY seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION:
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, President Villone presented the following employees with commendation letters to recognize their years of service:

Kimberly Moore, Police Officer – 5 Years
Frank Wirth, Fire Captain – 5 Years
Rick Grove, Director of Finance – 20 Years

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.

The following residents indicated their intent to comment on item 7n, Nominations for the Board of Commissioners Vacancy:

Mr. Richard Schin
Mr. Joseph Swartz
Mr. Chuck Brown
Ms. Jill Manlove
Mr. Carl Pass

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) Department Reports for the month of November for Community Development, Fleet Maintenance, Public Works, and Public Safety.
b) Check Register of December 16, 2022, in the amount of $649,252.73.
c) Adopting RESOLUTION 2022-R-44, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, establishing fees and charges authorized by various ordinances and statutes for administration of Township business in accordance with these ordinances and statutes.
d) Adopting RESOLUTION 2022-R-45, entering into an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with Sourcewell for cooperative purchasing of certain goods and services.

President Villone requested a motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda.  Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

PRESIDENT VILLONE:

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Ronald Massott to the Lower Allen Township Zoning Hearing Board for a term of three years, beginning January 1, 2023.  Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner CARON. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Ann Rhoads as Alternate Solicitor to the Lower Allen Township Zoning Hearing Board for a term of three years, beginning January 1, 2023.  Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner CARON. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Robert E. Edwards to the Lower Allen Township Authority for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2023. Commissioner NAGY made the motion, seconded by Vice President BLACK. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Timothy Johnson to the Lower Allen Township Stormwater Authority for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2023. Commissioner NAGY made the motion, seconded by Vice President BLACK. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Max Stoner to the Lower Allen Township Development Authority for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2023.  Commissioner CARON made the motion, seconded by Commissioner NAGY. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Brian Wickenheiser to the Lower Allen Township Planning Commission for a term of four years, beginning January 1, 2023. Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner CARON. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Samuel Bashore to the Lower Allen Township Planning Commission for a term of four years, beginning January 1, 2023.  Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner NAGY. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Richard A. Grove to the Lower Allen Township Recreation & Parks Board for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2023. Commissioner CARON made the motion, seconded by Commissioner NAGY. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to reappoint Susan Parry to the Lower Allen Township Recreation & Parks Board for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2023. Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner NAGY. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to appoint Megan Klenzing to the Lower Allen Township Recreation & Parks Board for a term of five years, beginning January 1, 2023.  Commissioner NAGY made the motion, seconded by Commissioner CARON. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to appoint Timothy Wargo of Hoover Engineering as Sewage Enforcement Officer and Chris Hoover of Hoover Engineering as Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer, effective January 1, 2023.  Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner CARON. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone requested a motion to appoint Craig Doll as the Township Building Code Official, effective January 1, 2023.  Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner NAGY. The motion carried 4-0.

ORDINANCE 2022-08
President Villone requested a motion to enact ORDINANCE 2022-08, an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, approving appointment of solicitor, interest assessment, attorney fees and collection fees added to the amount collected as part of unpaid municipal claims for delinquent accounts.  Vice President BLACK made the motion to enact ORDINANCE 2022-08.

Hearing no further discussion, the Secretary called the roll.

Commissioner NAGY – AYE
Vice President BLACK – AYE
President VILLONE – AYE
Commissioner CARON – AYE

The motion carried 4-0.

Board of Commissioners Vacancy
President Villone opened discussion on nominations for candidates for the vacant Board position. Three individuals addressed the Board to express their interest and requested being nominated to fill the position:

Mr. Richard Schin, former Township commissioner and resident at 9 Scarsdale Dr.

Mr. Joseph Swartz, resident at 1706 Letchworth Rd.

Mr. Charles Brown, resident at 4135 Lisburn Rd.

Next, several members of the audience addressed the Board to express support for candidates.

Ms. Jill Manlove, who resides at 1518 Carlisle Rd. and Mr. Carl Pass, resident at 1490 Letchworth Dr. expressed support for Mr. Swartz

President Villone noted that law requires an appointment to be made by December 30, 2022 and explained the process which directs the Board’s obligation and prerogative to make an appointment at its discretion.  He reported that several other inquiries in addition to those present had been made, which had been shared with all Commissioners.  He asked Commissioners to offer their nominations.

Commissioner Caron thanked former Commissioner Schin for his dedication and service during his tenure on the Board. She also thanked Mr. Swartz for his ongoing participation in meetings and involvement with the Township.  She noted being made aware of Mr. Brown’s interest in the position early on and recent opportunities to meet with him. She expressed her support for his nomination based on his education, experience, and fresh perspective.

Commissioner CARON moved to nominate Charles Brown for appointment to the Board of Commissioners. Vice President BLACK seconded the motion.

Hearing no other nominations, Commissioner NAGY moved to close the nominations, seconded by Commissioner CARON.

President Villone echoed the sentiments of Commissioner Caron’s earlier comments regarding appreciation to both former Commissioner Schin and Mr. Joe Swartz.

President Villone called for a vote, all those in favor of appointing Charles Brown to the Board of Commissioners vacancy for the term effective December 27, 2022 through December 31, 2023.

The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone directed staff to have Mr. Brown sworn in with the Township Secretary prior to the December 30, 2022 deadline.

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.

Ms. Meredith Sullivan, resident at 1295 Kingsley Road, addressed the Board to express concern about a dangerous situation occurring at the intersection of Carlisle and Selwick roads, specifically during the walking train crossing. She described aggressive, speeding drivers who are ignoring the multiple traffic control devices as well as the clearly marked crossing guards. She noted that in the past, an officer from Lower Allen Township was positioned near the crossing during the fifteen minutes when children were crossing. She requested consideration for the return of a police or public safety officer to be stationed there again on a consistent basis. She observed that drivers seem to be more compliant with the school zone speed limits.

Director Holl addressed the issue, noting recent directives to officers to be in the school zone areas if they are available. He noted that the Township had expressed concern to the school district and recommended busing versus the walking train. He noted the limitations to the Township on traffic controls due to Carlisle Road being a state road. He committed to follow up to consider additional signage and assign officers when they are available.

Ms. Carol Hollingsworth, a crossing guard for Allen Middle School and Highland Elementary School, also addressed the Board to express concern about safety for students and for herself. She reiterated the observation of the issues related to speeding and unsafe driving in the crossing areas.

Vice President Black raised the issue of local radar not being permitted for use within the municipality and encouraged residents to speak with their legislators to ask them to support the local use of radar, which could be a tool to assist in the control of speeding in the school zones.

Next, Commissioner Nagy introduced and welcomed Megan Klenzing, newly appointed member of the Recreation and Parks Board.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Ordinance Amendments
Mr. John Eby introduced the item for discussion, to consider the adoption of an ordinance amending the Code of Lower Allen Township at Chapter 70, Building Construction and Safety Standards, Chapter 103, Fire Prevention, and Chapter 162, Property Maintenance for the purpose of updating code editions and administrative matters.

He explained that the Revised PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) regulations became effective on February 14, 2022, resulting in mandatory use of the 2018 editions of the model codes published by the International Code Council (ICC).  Consequently, staff recommends amending Chapters 103 and 162 of the codified ordinances so the editions of the International Fire Code (IFC) and International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) used for local fire prevention and property maintenance programs outside the scope of the UCC will be synchronized.  He noted that staff also recommended reformatting and updating Chapter 70, Building Construction and Safety Standards, which was last amended in 2004 to establish the Township’s local administration of the UCC.

Mr. Eby highlighted several sections of the proposed modifications. In section I, he noted the deletion of the term, “Code Administrator” as well as a correction to part C in the section regarding building permits for detached accessory buildings. He also addressed some permit processing rules to be memorialized, including a policy regarding the release of construction documentation to specific parties and written consent of building owners, an exception to the Right to Know Law. Mr. Miner noted his recommendation to add it.

Mr. Eby noted that the draft ordinance, table of local technical and administrative recommendations and the resolution to adopt the table were included in the meeting packet and vetted by CED and DPS staff, Solicitor and Manager.  When the Board reaches consensus to accept these recommendations, authorization to advertise the ordinance will be needed.  Further discussion and action on the ordinance and resolution will occur at a subsequent meeting.

President Villone thanked Mr. Eby for the presentation and for his efforts to ensure successful operations following his retirement.

Secco Properties SLD Extension
Mr. Eby introduced the item for discussion and possible action, to accept a sixty-day extension from Secco Properties to render a decision on a subdivision and land development plan. The purpose of the plan is to combine multiple lots and address some development issues. The plan received many comments from the Planning Commission and the applicant has granted an extension for consideration.

Commissioner NAGY moved to accept the sixty-day extension. Commissioner CARON seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Zoning and Codes Administrator
Mr. Eby introduced the item for discussion and possible action, to approve advertising to post the position of Zoning and Codes Administrator, which has been vacant since November of 2021. The recruitment process in February was unsuccessful.

Commissioner Caron asked for confirmation that the job description meets legal EEO and Disability requirements. Mr. Miner confirmed that it did. Commissioner Nagy asked whether the position was included in the budget for 2023. Mr. Vernau confirmed that it was.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the advertisement to fill the vacancy. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY
Paramedic Position
Director Holl presented the item for discussion and consideration to approve the advertising for the hiring of a full-time paramedic position to replace a recent vacancy.  Commissioner NAGY moved to approve permission to advertise for the position. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mr. Miner presented a collections report, noting two satisfied trash liens and his intent to assist in the transition of the collections task to the new firm.

Mr. Grove expressed gratitude for the Years of Service recognition.

Mr. Vernau thanked the members of the Board for a successful year of work on behalf of the Township.

Commissioner Nagy expressed his thoughts regarding Ordinance 2022-08, noting his preference not to outsource responsibilities, but that his conversations with staff had satisfied his concerns and noted the importance of providing quality service to the residents, the majority of whom have satisfactory accounts. He also expressed thanks to the Captains of Police, Fire, and EMS and asked them to express gratitude to their staff who worked over the holiday weekend.

Commissioner Caron wished everyone a safe and happy New Year.

Vice President Black wished everyone a happy holiday season and thanked the staff, particularly Public Safety who work during the holidays.

President Villone thanked his fellow commissioners for the work done together during 2022. He noted it was a pleasure to serve the residents of the Township. He noted the staff and management of the Township were outstanding and thanked Mr. Vernau for his leadership. He also expressed gratitude to Mr. Eby for his wealth of knowledge and commitment to the Township, noting he will be missed in retirement.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 PM.