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Home»Board of Commissioners Minutes»Board of Commissioners
08/26/24 Meeting Minutes

Board of Commissioners
08/26/24 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING August 26, 2024
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Dean W. Villone, President Rebecca L. Davis, Assistant Township Manager
Jennifer M. Caron, Vice-President Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor
Joshua Nagy David Holl, Public Safety Director
Charles Brown Alycia Knoll, Finance Director
Joseph Swartz Isaac Sweeney, CED Director
James Bennett, Planner
Barbara Arnold, Environmental Coordinator
Nate Sterling, Administrative Secretary
Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the August 26, 2024 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 August 12, 2024 Regular Meeting. Commissioner BROWN moved to approve the minutes. Vice President CARON seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  Any item on the agenda.
President Villone advised the audience that if there were any items 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. There were none.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

a. Monthly Department Reports for Community & Economic Development, Facility Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, Public Works, and Public Safety for July 2024.

b. Tax Collector’s Monthly Report for July 2024.

c. Check Register of August 23, 2024, in the amount of $1,134,763.47.

d. Payment of three (3) invoices to Pennsy Supply for materials for the 2024 Lower Allen Community Park Paving Maintenance Project totaling $56,259.26.

e. Payment of Estimate No. 1 – Final, to E.K. Services, Inc. for labor for the 2024 Lower Allen Community Park Paving Maintenance Project in the amount of $31,117.77.

f. Moving James Bennett, Planner in the Community and Economic Development Department, from probationary to regular full-time status effective August 26, 2024.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Commissioner SWARTZ seconded. With no further discussion the consent agenda was approved by a vote of 5-0.

PRESIDENT
Resolution 2024-R-32
President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2024-R-32, authorizing the submission of an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Municipal Assistance Program and committing a financial match of $67,500 for a project grant to revise Chapter 192 Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and Chapter 220 Zoning Ordinance of the Township Code.

Vice President CARON offered the motion. Commissioner SWARTZ seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Resolution 2024-R-33
President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2024-R-33, appointing Rebecca L. Davis as Township Manager effective January 1, 2025.

Commissioner NAGY made the motion, with honor. Commissioner SWARTZ seconded. Both President Villone and Vice President Caron extended congratulations to Ms. Davis and expressed their confidence and enthusiasm for her future role as Township Manager. The motion passed 5-0.

Advertisement for Public Works Director
President Villone requested a motion to authorize staff to advertise for a Public Works Director to replace Rebecca L. Davis.

Commissioner BROWN made the motion, seconded by Vice President CARON. The motion passed 5-0.

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.

Ms. Seitz, a resident at 612 Chelton Circle with a driveway along Green Lane Drive, expressed frustration about repeated missed refuse pick-up for her and her neighbors along Green Lane Drive. She requested assistance from the Township to identify and implement a solution. She also expressed concern about increased traffic, excessive speeding, and lack of proper signage along Green Lane Drive and Cedar Cliff Drive. She articulated several examples of tractor trailers and big box trucks failing to recognize the existence of the one lane bridge and relevant weight limit, causing them to turn around in the driveways along Green Lane Drive and causing property damage. She requested the posting of additional and more prominent signage along Cedar Cliff Drive and Creek Road.

President Villone noted that the Township views public safety as its top priority and committed to addressing the issues. He empathized with the residents and acknowledged the significant amounts of increased delivery traffic in the region.

Director Holl indicated the issue would be evaluated by the Traffic Committee to determine appropriate corrections. He noted that while speed limits could not be reduced, and that local police departments are restricted from utilizing radar, implementation of more effective signage was feasible. Additional traffic calming devices and control mitigation measures would be considered. Assistant Manager Davis noted that staff would consult with the Township traffic engineer and suggested that the next Traffic Committee meeting could be held sooner than originally planned.

Several residents were present to express additional concern about increased traffic and speeds in the same areas, including neighboring roads to Cedar Cliff Drive.

Mr. Donnelly, resident at 1 Amherst Drive, expressed concerns over public safety due to lack of speed enforcement and an increase in the use of bicycles, electric bikes, scooters, etc.

Commissioner Brown reiterated that Pennsylvania law restricts local police from using radar. He suggested that residents encourage their local legislators to support the passage of local radar legislation.

Director Holl reported that any implementation of traffic devices requires a traffic study in accordance with PennDOT regulations. He noted that stop signs may not be used for traffic calming purposes.

Assistant Manager Davis indicated her willingness to have the issues evaluated by the Traffic Committee, and to then meet with residents to provide an update following that meeting.

Mr. McGlaughlin, a resident at 2 Colgate Drive expressed frustration that the traffic and speed conditions have been a continual issue over many years without being addressed by the Board. He noted his observation that the worst times of day align with times associated with change of shift at SCI Camp Hill and with start and end to the school day.

President Villone expressed his appreciation for residents voicing their concerns and noted that issues would be addressed to the best of the ability of the Board.

Mr. Malawskey, a resident on Amherst Drive, expressed support of his neighbors traffic concerns. He also thanked Township staff for their assistance in providing his Cub Scout troop with the opportunity to tour the wastewater treatment plant.

Several other residents living along Amherst Drive and Colgate Drive expressed similar concerns, citing worries about safety for children in the area, particularly as they wait for the school bus. Suggestions were made to paint crosswalks to Chelton Circle and Colgate Drive.

Mr. Richard Schin, resident at 9 Scarsdale Drive and former Township Commissioner, expressed appreciation for the concerns raised and identified several solutions that had been implemented over the years, including the addition of digital traffic control, speed devices.

President Villone again articulated his appreciation for the vocal nature of the concerns expressed and noted that staff would follow up with all impacted residents following the Traffic Committee meeting.

Commissioner Brown expressed understanding of the frustration about the refuse issues. Ms. Barbara Arnold, Township Environmental Coordinator, addressed the issue, noting that both Township staff and Penn Waste are aware of the issues specific to the location. Since the regular waste management trucks are unable to use Green Lane Bridge, a Penn Waste supervisor personally conducts the waste pick-up using a pick-up truck. She noted that there are other areas in the Township where a comparable situation exists, and there have been consistent missed pick-ups. She noted plans to meet with Penn Waste to find a solution. Commissioner Brown and others noted that the situation was unacceptable, and that Penn Waste should be held accountable for fulfilling their obligations in the contract with the Township. Ms. Arnold urged residents to report any missed or delayed pick-ups within 24 hours via the online form located on the Township website.

Vice President Caron thanked the residents for sharing their concerns and invited them to keep lines of communication open, and to keep the board informed of the status.

President Villone directed staff and the Township Solicitor to work with the traffic committee, and to keep the board informed of its progress.

PUBLIC WORKS
Release of Financial Security for PA American Water Company
Director Davis introduced the item for discussion and possible action, to authorize the release of financial security for the Pennsylvania American Water Company projects and associated amounts as follows:

i. Highland Park lower end watermain replacement project in the amount of $1,100,000.00.
ii. Allendale Development watermain replacement project in the amount of $2,300,000.00.

Vice President CARON offered the motion, seconded by Commissioner BROWN. The motion passed 5-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY
Purchase of Motorola P25 radios
Director Holl introduced the item for discussion and possible action, to approve the purchase of Motorola P25 radios in the amount of $993,866.66. He noted the radios were a budgeted item, with the total cost coming in under the budgeted amount.

Commissioner NAGY offered a motion to approve the purchase of the radios, seconded by Commissioner SWARTZ. The motion passed 5-0.

President Villone thanked Director Holl for his coordinating the project and for securing additional funds and discounts to offset the cost to the taxpayers.

ASSISTANT MANAGER
West Shore Recreation Commission
Ms. Davis introduced the item for discussion and possible action, to approve the WSRC 2025 Budget and Lower Allen Township’s per capita rate of $3.20. She noted this was a slight increase over the current rate of $3.10. She also reported that residents value the Commission and the recreational opportunities offered.

Commissioner Swartz and President Villone both expressed support and appreciation for the value provided to the residents through the offerings of the WSRC.

Commissioner SWARTZ made a motion to approve the 2025 WSRC budget and per capita rate as proposed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner BROWN and passed 5-0.

Budget Meeting Dates

Ms. Davis announced that the dates for budget meetings had been advertised and are as follows:

Monday, October 7, 2024
Monday, October 21, 2024
Monday, November 4, 2024

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Commissioner Swartz thanked President Villone for attending the Planning Commission meeting on his behalf. He also thanked Manager Vernau for his service to the Township and congratulated Ms. Davis on her appointment as the next Manager.

Commissioner Nagy expressed appreciation to the residents who shared their perspective and concerns with the Board. He congratulated Ms. Davis and thanked the Authority staff for arranging the Cub Scout tour.

Commissioner Brown congratulated Ms. Davis and Mr. Bennett, and echoed thanks to the residents. He expressed confidence that the current Board has the best interest of the community in mind and desires to see everyone thrive.

Vice President Caron reported that she would represent the Board at the upcoming CapCOG annual meeting on 9/16, as well as the PA Municipal League as an executive committee member in mid-October along with President Villone. She noted that school would begin on 9/3/24 and urged all residents to reduce speeds and be cognizant of students traveling throughout the Township. She thanked the residents in attendance for making their concerns known, and she announced that the Township’s Trick-or-Treat night was scheduled for October 31, 2024.

President Villone thanked residents for coming to the meeting, noting that it was the first step in solving problems. He assured residents that staff would do all they could to address it. He asked Director Holl to investigate whether the problem was becoming a broader issue in the region, noting his curiosity in how municipal peers are managing similar issues. He reported his upcoming attendance at the annual summit of the PA State Association of Commissioners, noting it was always very educational. He expressed gratitude to Captain Crone for a recent issue involving delivery trucks. He congratulated Ms. Davis and expressed his enthusiasm in collaborating with her to solve problems. Finally, he expressed his appreciation for all Township staff.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7: 48 PM.