MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                                                  LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                                               SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                            TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
H. Edward Black, President                                                Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager
Peddrick M. Young, Sr, Vice President                               Erin Trone, Assistant Township Manager
John T. Titzel                                                                     Frank Williamson, Director of Public Safety
Richard F. Schin                                                                 Daniel Flint, Community Development
Lloyd W. Bucher                                                                 Richard Grove, Director of Finance
                                                                                           Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
                                                                                           Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary

 
President Black called the September 14, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced Proof of Publication was available for review.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes for the August 24, 2015 regular meeting. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
President Black inquired if anyone in the audience wished to address any item appearing on the agenda. Mr. Roger Meilton asked to speak on item b and c on the consent agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA
President Black advised that any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance could request any item on the Consent Agenda be removed for further discussion and asked if there was such request.

Mr. Meilton expressed concern about a waiver on sidewalks which he believes will be needed to provide access to the open spaces and recreation. Mr. Flint stated the waivers for the sidewalks are very specific in nature. The reason for the waiver is one of them will go nowhere and the second one is being deferred until the roundabout is built. Mr. Meilton didn’t see why they should be deferred because action will be required at a later time. Mr. Flint spoke about the roundabout and how action is required by the Township for approving the plan and the sidewalks will be part of the plan. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Bucher expressed concern that the roundabouts won’t be built for years. President Black asked for a timeline of the roundabouts. Mr. Flint stated the roundabout should be started and completed in 2017.

Commission SCHIN moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as submitted, those items being the following:

a. Department Reports for the month of April, May and June for Community Development.
b. Modification of the requirement contained in Section 192-57.C(9) to provide sidewalks along all street frontage, for SLD Docket No. 2015-06, Final Land Development Plan for Highpoint Phase 1.4, Revised No. 2, deferring sidewalk installation for the following:
        1. Approximately 40 feet, from Rocky Way to the eastern project limit; and
        2. Approximately 120 feet in the vicinity of the Lisburn Road/Arcona Road intersection; until such time as the installation of same has been deemed necessary by the Township for the health, safety or welfare of the general public. These improvements shall be made at the owner’s expense. This is a covenant running with the land, which shall bind the owners, their successors, heirs and assigns.
c. SLD Docket No. 2015-06, Final Land Development Plan for Highpoint Phase 1.4, Revised No. 2.
d. Tax Collector’s Monthly Report for August, 2015.

Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Registers
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of September 4, 2015 in the amount of $212,838.62. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Invoice No. 2 for new Accessory Storage Building
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve payment of Invoice No. 2 to B and B Pole Building Co. in the amount of $105,725.00 for construction of the new Accessory Storage Building. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Invoice No. 1 for electrical construction on the Cedar Spring Run Park
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve payment of Invoice No. 1 to Electric Power Savers, LLC in the amount of $18,135.00 for electrical construction on the Cedar Spring Run Park. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Invoice No. 1 for the 2015 Street Pavement Project.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve payment of Invoice No. 1 to Hempt Bros., Inc. in the amount of $123,262.50 for the 2015 Street Pavement Project. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Wass Park Field No. 2 Fence.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve a contract with Paramount Fence in the amount of $6,177.00 for installation of outfield fence at Wass Park Field No. 2. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
There was no response.

FINANCE
Scheduling dates for Budget Meetings
Mr. Grove discussed the upcoming budget process and potential dates for budget meetings. The following meetings were agreed upon for Budget discussions:

 October 5, 2015 at 6pm
 October 19, 2015 at 7pm
 November 2, 2015 at 6pm

2016 Pension Budget.
Mr. Grove discussed Act 205 and the requirements for the Police and Non-Uniformed pension plans. He stated that the minimum municipal obligation for both plans for 2016 is $269,762. He stated the Township would be receiving $303,400 in state aid to help with the payment. The excess aid can be used for debt service payment on the pension bond. He stated the resolution would be ready for action at the next meeting.

MANAGER
Employee Recognition for September 28, 2015
Mr. Vernau stated nine employees will be recognized for their years of service at the next meeting. The years of service range from five years to 30 years.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mr. Flint provided an update on Wass Park, Highland Park, and the street pavement projects.

Chief Williamson discussed search for police officers for the coalition. He stated they started with 240 applicants and have narrowed it down to 108 for interviews.

Mrs. Trone spoke about the damage done to the Cedar Spring Park over the weekend in two separate vehicle accidents. She spoke about the progress of the Storage Building. She stated an offer was received for the old Township Building, which will be discussed at the Development Authority meeting on 9/21.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned to Executive Session at 7:37 pm to discuss the following item:

a. Board and commission appointments & assignments