MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	February 13, 2023
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Dean W. Villone, President	Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Manager
H. Edward Black, Vice President	Erin G. Trone, Director of Community & Economic Development
Jennifer Caron	Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor
Joshua Nagy	David Holl, Public Safety Director
Charles Brown	Richard Grove, Township Finance Director
	Rebecca Davis, Public Works Director
	Nate Sterling, Administrative Secretary
	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the February 13, 2023 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 January 23, 2023 Regular Meeting.  Commissioner NAGY made the motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Commissioner CARON seconded. 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 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, he could do so at that time. There were none.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

a. Check Register of January 27, 2023, in the amount of $321,856.69.

b. Check Register of February 10, 2023, in the amount of $556,785.26.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT VILLONE:
Manual Check List
President Villone requested a motion to approve a Manual Check List for payment in the amount of $600.00 to Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott.

Vice President BLACK made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Commissioner NAGY. The motion carried 4-0 with 1 abstention by Commissioner CARON.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP:
President Villone noted that if anyone wished to speak at that time on any item pertinent to the Township, there would be 10 minutes allotted per person to speak at the podium. There were none.

PUBLIC WORKS
2023 Infrastructure and Paving Project
Director Davis presented the item for discussion and consideration to authorize staff to prepare and solicit bids for the 2023 Infrastructure and Paving Project. The first project is in the lower end of Highland Park, and the second in the Allendale area. Both entail replacing stormwater infrastructure and making ADA improvements, with milling and paving in the Highland Park neighborhood. Funding for the projects is included in the 2023 budget.

Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Director Davis for the information provided to them about the project.

Vice President BLACK offered a motion to authorize staff to prepare and solicit bids for the project. Commissioner NAGY seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

COSTARS Proposal from Black Landscaping
Director Davis presented the item for discussion and consideration to approve the COSTARS proposal from Black Landscaping for maintenance of stormwater BMPs in the amount of $32,090.00 for the 2023 season. She noted that no other quotes were submitted and that she had met with the vendor at the sites and recommended taking action on the contract.

Vice President Black noted the recent change of ownership of the vendor which eliminated any conflict of interest for him. President Villone clarified that the payment for the work is funded by the stormwater fees.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the proposal. Commissioner BROWN seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Application for ADA improvements in the Highland Park Development
Director Davis presented the item for discussion and possible action to approve the commitment of funds for the Community Block Development Grant Program (CBDG) Application for ADA improvements in the Highland Park Development. She referenced the map and memo included in the meeting materials, noting the improvements included the construction and improvement of ramps in the subdivision ahead of the paving schedule. The grant application would request funding in the amount of the maximum, $100,000, with an estimated cost for the project of $156,000. Staff are seeking a commitment of funds letter for the balance of the cost after the grant funding is applied. The application is due in March and work would commence in 2024 if awarded and would be subject to budget approval.

Commissioner CARON moved to approve the commitment of funds, seconded by Commissioner BROWN. The motion carried 5-0.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Lark Meadows Subdivision
Director Trone presented the item for discussion and possible action to approve a reduction in financial security for the Lark Meadows Subdivision by $29,470.28 for a new amount of $331,291.72. She noted that the site was inspected by the township engineer on January 20, 2023, and he had recommended $10,000 less than was requested in order to maintain funding for the stormwater and sediment barriers until the project is completed.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the reduction in financial security. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

MANAGER
Revised Noise Ordinance
Mr. Vernau presented the item for discussion, reminding members of their previous review of the fireworks issue in relationship to the noise ordinance and agreement with the newly enacted state law in Act 74. A revised draft noise ordinance was presented for discussion and consideration. The most significant alteration is changing the end time for permitting various noise from 11 PM to 10 PM.

Mr. Vernau led members through a discussion of each proposed change to the ordinance. Director Holl noted that rolling the end time back to 10 PM might increase public safety calls but noted they do not receive many complaints during that timeframe. Commissioners expressed support for leaving the end time at 11 PM for sources of noise other than fireworks and heavy construction. The earlier end time for fireworks is intended to deter excessive use of fireworks throughout the year.

Commissioner Nagy asked for information on enforcement of violations. Director Holl and Captain Crone explained that warnings, education, and opportunities for compliance are offered prior to citation.

Mr. Vernau thanked Commissioners for their feedback and noted that a revised ordinance would be presented for consideration at the next meeting.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Commissioner Caron reported on her attendance as a Township delegate to the Capital Region Council of Government’s annual event, which included many local municipal and state officials whereby local issues were discussed. She also attended the Cumberland County Municipal Advisory Board meeting.

President Villone noted his attendance at the PSATC Executive Committee meeting with Vice President Black, whereby they established the legislative priorities for the new session, one of which will focus on the radar issues. Next, he asked for information on the reports of loud booms recently heard in the Lisburn area. Director Holl reported that while unsubstantiated, the cause is thought to be Tannerite explosions.

President Villone also noted that the construction site at Arcona appears to be very clean and is moving along at a rapid pace. He expressed anticipation that there will be significant foot traffic in the area along the walkways this summer.

Finally, he asked if there was any information on the status of spotted lantern flies in the area for the upcoming year. Director Davis noted that the Department of Agriculture has not reported specific severity for the area but provides general education and a tool on their website to show areas of high infestations, and in the spring have also sprayed, placed traps and provided signage for parks. She noted that residents are encouraged to destroy egg masses and to refer to the information provided in the township newsletter, and on the website and social media sites.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
President Villone announced adjournment to meet in Executive Session for discussion of a personnel matter with no need for action.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 PM.